Three reasons to adopt a rescue dog

There is no denying that a dog is a perfect addition to a household. You could be a family looking for a loyal companion for the kids to grow up with, or you could be living alone and seeking a four-legged sidekick to keep you company. In short, dogs are the perfect pet choice for anyone.

However, there are different ways to bring a dog into your life. While going out and buying a new puppy may be tempting, there are many benefits to giving a rescue dog a new home that you might be overlooking.

If you are considering getting a dog as a new addition to your family, here are a few reasons why it might be worth looking into adopting rather than buying.

It is incredibly rewarding

Buying a puppy can be a great experience, but there is a sense of satisfaction and moral benefits that come with adopting a rescue dog.

An incredible number of dogs end up in rescue homes every year, with many staying there for the rest of their lives. Therefore, when you adopt a dog from one of these shelters you are giving them a second chance at belonging to a family.

Giving these dogs a forever home is beneficial for both you and your new fluffy friend, as it will not only mean you are doing a good deed but you are gaining the unconditional love of a dog in need. In return, you will make your new pet feel loved and welcomed, a feeling which they may have never felt before.

Less training needed

It is possible that some rescue dogs may not have been in the care of a family for very long, if at all, and therefore haven’t received any form of training.

However, a good number of pets in an animal shelter will have experience in being handled and will love attention and being stroked.

As well as this, some may have already been house trained and be used to doing their business outside. This makes rescue dogs the perfect choice for busy families, who have less time for training and are looking for a pet who can quickly adapt to their family lifestyle.

While many of the rescue dogs for adoption may have already received training, it is important to keep in mind that some time will still need to be spent adapting them to their new life.

Be sure to put aside a few hours a day to help your new rescue dog adjust to your family’s schedule and lifestyle, and to make them feel welcome in your home.

Fewer upfront costs

Getting a new dog will cost a lot more than just the initial cost of buying them.

A brand-new dog requires lots of veterinary fees, including microchipping, vaccinating and neutering or spaying them. These are all essential to keeping a puppy healthy and making sure that their life gets off to the best start.

Adopting a dog from a shelter may mean that these some, or all, of these health steps have already been taken. This will leave you with fewer up-front costs, and more money to spend on spoiling your new friend! As well as this, you will have peace of mind that your dog is cared for and give you time to focus on bonding with your new pet.

However, this factor won’t affect ongoing costs, including food and veterinary treatment, so you should always ensure you are financially set up to support a dog for the entirety of their life.

It is always a good idea to look into pet insurance for dogs, regardless of if you are adopting or buying a new dog, as this will help protect you from costly veterinary bills and much more.