A Loving Family and Good Home
Your cuddly canine’s wags will abound, and you’ll be a hero when you adopt a shelter dog! Bring your furry friend home, and you will save a life of an animal in danger of being homeless or even euthanized.
Support dogs’ lives this October, and get involved with Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog-Month. Search online and at your local animal shelter to find the ideal dog which is the right fit for you. Shelter dogs come in all ages, breeds, shapes and sizes, and the shelter staff can help you choose the right four-legged family member that fits your personality and lifestyle. Adopt-a-pet and Petfinder are two popular online resources to start your search.
Why Adopt a Shelter Dog?
So many loving dogs need your love to light up their lives, and a wag-worthy place to call home. The options for canine companions at animal shelters and animal rescue organizations are limitless. Feel good about being part of the solution to the homeless pet problem. According to the ASPCA, people who adopt a dog from a shelter are more likely to be satisfied and have a positive experience than those who buy their canine from a pet store.
You’ll probably save more money by adopting from a shelter, rather than purchasing your dog from a breeder or pet store, since most shelter dogs have already been spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.
The Canine Commitment
Owning a dog is a huge commitment that requires your time, energy, effort and patience! Puppies, especially, are a lot of work and can be a lot like raising children. Expect messes, chewed furniture, and lots of work on potty and obedience training. All that, and your new friend needs to be walked and fed two or more times a day!
How Dogs Help Your Health
All that work pays off, however, with plenty of love and affection that you’ll be given in return. Your best friend loves to snuggle and can benefit your health by keeping you active and fit when going with you for daily walks. Your dog will even motivate you to get out of bed early to go outside.
Studies show that opening your heart to a shelter dog can have a direct influence on your health and well-being. Dog owners are known to live healthier lives and have a longer lifespan, and your pet will even provide health benefits for all your other family members.
In a recent study, infants who were raised with a dog in the home were less likely to suffer from eczema, and they also had stronger immune systems. A growing number of studies confirm that kids growing up with a “furred animal” often have a lower risk of asthma and allergies.
Dogs are known to relieve stress and alleviate loneliness and are particularly beneficial for seniors and others who live alone.
Doggy DNA
Ever wanted to know what breeds your mixed-breed doggy is comprised of? Take the test that tells the exact genetic make-up of your dog! Also, discover risks of inherited diseases that your canine companion might be susceptible to. Get the facts, so you can plan for the future and extend your furry friend’s lifespan!
All it takes is a simple cheek swab from your canine. Drop it in a container and mail it back in a prepaid envelope. You’ll receive a report in just a few weeks revealing your doggy’s DNA. Test results provide a breakdown by percentage of your dog’s breeds and potential hereditary health risks.
Can’t Adopt? Other Ways of Supporting Dogs’ Lives
If you can’t adopt, there are other options for supporting these special dogs. Spread awareness with social media and post “October is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog-Month. Save a life: Adopt a dog!” on your Facebook profile and/or Twitter account, and include the hashtag #savedogs.
To spread the word, you could blog or write an op-ed for your local newspaper about the need for adopting a shelter companion and becoming the hero of a dog’s life, or you could volunteer at your local shelter and give dogs in need the care and companionship they crave.
