The Pros and Cons of Adopting a Shelter or Rescue Pet

Loving pets of all sizes, shapes, and ages are waiting in shelters or rescue groups in hope of finding a forever home. The stigma that all shelter and rescue pets have health or behavioral problems is simply untrue. According to Petfinder.com, the main reasons people give up their pets include moving, landlord issues, financial reasons, and changes in family dynamics. Rescue groups and shelters are filled with wonderful animals who would like nothing more than to have a chance at a happy life and their own family to share it with.

Pros

You are saving a life. This is the most significant benefit of adopting a pet. When you adopt from a shelter, you save a life from possible euthanization and when you adopt from a rescue group you free up a foster home to take in another pet from a shelter. This all helps pet overpopulation in an important way.

It is less expensive to adopt than to use a breeder or a pet store (I am very much against pet store shopping for pets). Pet adoption fees usually include the spaying or neutering of the animal, vaccinations, and behavioral evaluation of the animal to determine its personality, temperament, and habits.

The “rescue bond” is unlike any other, and I can personally attest to this. Pets who have been uprooted from their happy homes or those who have not had the best start in life are more likely to bond completely and deeply with their new people.  They seem to be grateful, and most rescue pets make exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and very loyal companions.

You have many choices in age, size, breeds (there are purebred animals in many pet shelters and rescue groups) when you adopt. Many beautiful purebred dogs end up in shelters, and you can always check for breed-specific rescue groups for a breed that you prefer. Mixed breed dogs seem to be preferred, and they are oftentimes less prone to breed-specific health issues and may live longer.

More information about the animal is usually available from rescue groups and shelters. You can talk to the people who have been spending time with the animal in the shelter or foster home to get a behavioral analysis that will ensure a right fit for you and your family. Many pets are already house trained and possibly micro-chipped, which is a definite plus!

Some shelters and rescue groups offer a grace period where you can “try out” the new pet to determine whether the animal is a good fit for your family and your lifestyle.  If things do not work out, you are able to return the pet, so be sure to ask about this option.

Cons

You may not be able to find the exact breed you want in shelters.  Again, check for breed-specific rescue groups in your area.

You may not be able to adopt the pet you want immediately. There are often waiting periods which shelters and rescue groups observe.

You may get little or no medical history, depending on the circumstances of the animal’s reason for being surrendered to the shelter or rescue group.  In my case with Josh, he was a starving stray who wandered into my yard, so there was no background information.  In adopting Betsy from Petfinder.com, I received copies of all of her medical records from the time of her birth from the person who was fostering her.

It may be difficult to adopt a puppy, although some shelters and rescue groups have them available. Petfinder.com has many puppies listed online, and you can usually locate a shelter or rescue group in your area that has puppies available.

*In summary, choosing a rescue or shelter pet over an animal from a breeder or pet store will not solve the pet overpopulation problem, but it does give many animals a chance for a happy, healthy life that they would not have otherwise had.  A rescued or adopted animal will reward you with more love and loyalty than you could ever imagine, and it will probably be one of the best decisions you’ll make for yourself and your family.

Adopting A Pet From A Shelter

Cheri