9 Reasons to Adopt a Dog (From a Shelter)

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 17 people | Log in to rate

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Adopt a Pet from an Animal Shelter

Pets make great companions for anyone of any age, especially dogs. The best thing you could do for the world is adopting an adorable dog from a pet shelter! Here are 9 awesome reasons why you should adopt a pet from an animal shelter. Profits from this page also go to the ASPCA, so help out a great cause!

My Own Dog Story... 

Back when I didn't know anything about puppy mills (they say ignorance is bliss, but I don't believe so), I bought my two young chihuahuas from a pet store. It was a few months later that the pet store closed, and after watching some Animal Planet and reading online, I think it was because they got their dogs from a puppy mill. My dogs were in somewhat ok healthy conditions when I bought them, but they had quite a few psychological problems. My dog Sushi can be very overly aggressive, while Yoshi can be very shy, and he doesn't like to interact with others.

Check out my lens below for more on my own dog stories...the troubles I have from buying my dogs, but also the more fun aspects as well!

The Tales of Sushi and Yoshi... 

9. You're helping out the shelter... 

By adopting a dog, you're not only helping the dog, but the animal shelter as well.

Too many animals are left to stray the streets. Animal shelters do what they can to take care of them, but they can only hold so many animals. By adopting a pet from a shelter, you're giving them extra food, extra bed, an extra towel, and extra love to for them to give to another dog. It helps when they're not packed with strays left and right.

So help out your local shelter as well as that dog!

Is it better to adopt a puppy or an adult? 

Puppy dogs or adult dogs?

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Puppies, because they're so darn cute!

blue22d says:

Probably a puppy as you can trains them up to the way you want them to be.

CleanerLife says:

I would rather get a puppy, since we adopted a dog who had been abused in the past. We gave her as much love as possible for the rest of her life, but I think I would rather get a puppy next time. I would like to have the chance to get it before it is given emotional scars that last a lifetime.

Adults, because they deserve a second chance too!

kiwisoutback says:

Not only do adults deserve a second chance, but most of them are already trained, and this is huge. Are you up for the work of getting and training a puppy?

boshemia says:

I think choosing the temperament that is right for you is more important than anything, and it is easier to do with adult dogs. Some people want an active dog with a lot of personality and energy, others want a mellow dog that doesn't get overly excited. You need to match your dog to your family, so you need to understand the requirements of the breed or dominant personality traits. Some dogs do well with kids, others prefer adults, some like energetic people, some prefer mellow. It's more like choosing a spouse than just a matter of picking up a pet... you have to be able to live well with one another.

BigGirlBlue says:

Puppies always have a chance of being adopted, it's the older dogs that have a tougher time finding a home.

kristensup says:

Puppies are no doubt amazing, but I think a family that has never owned a dog before should go for an adult, so they can learn how to take care of a dog without having to go through the hardships of housetraining and such. Puppies are always going to be snatched up from shelters, but it's the poor older dogs who aren't given a chance. Have it in your heart to take care of an adult who has been abandoned. :) They'll show you the same exact amount of love that a puppy can. <3

Susan52 says:

There are so many "good" adult dogs in shelters, and that way you can avoid the puppy stage which can be rather testing, especially for old people like me!

 
view all 8 comments

8. They deserve a second chance... 

Dogs that deserve another chance...

Well, I would hope that you're a great person with a nice home for a dog. What did those poor pets do to end up in an animal shelter? They didn't hurt anyone, they didn't misbehave. There are numerous reasons that animals end up in animal shelters, but they almost NEVER deserve it.

Adopt a dog and give them that second chance that they deserve! Show them some love!

A dog is a man's best friend.

7. Shelters have all kinds of dogs 

At pet stores, you sometimes find a few breeds that cost a few thousand dollars. Shelters take in every and any type of pets! When you go to a shelter, there are hundreds of breeds there, mixed and pure. Much against contrary belief, you CAN find pure-bred dogs at animal shelters!

Find all different types of breeds, from purebreds to mixes, at a dog shelter!

Adorable Dogs on Flickr! 

Check out these pictures of adorable dogs!

If you don't have a dog and never thought of getting one, just look at these adorable photos of dogs on Flickr. They'll make you want to go out and adopt a dog of your own!

Dog. by Polifemus

Dog.

Olá ! by MariaCartas

Olá !

Tou a ver quem passa .... by MariaCartas

Tou a ver quem passa...

Urso ou talvez, Laila by Rudá Campos

Urso ou talvez, Lail...

Urso ou talvez, Laila by Rudá Campos

Urso ou talvez, Lail...

Urso ou talvez, Laila by Rudá Campos

Urso ou talvez, Lail...

On the bed by Aine D

On the bed

Dexter by Jason Riedy

Dexter

Dexter by Jason Riedy

Dexter

Dexter by Jason Riedy

Dexter

Two Dogs and One Stranger by ZedZap(Nick)

Two Dogs and One Str...

Smelling the Storm by SearchNetMedia

Smelling the Storm

automatically generated by Flickr

6. Adult dogs are more mature! 

When you buy a dog from the pet store, they're all puppies. Some people forget that dogs don't always stay puppies. But adult dogs are just as great as, and sometimes even better than, puppies! They're more mature and when you adopt from a shelter, sometimes they're even already trained! You just saved a ton of work!

Adopt a dog and they may already be trained!

Bowls for your Dog! 

Petmate Stainless Style Bowl Small, Black/Stainless Steel

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Amazon Price: $6.84 (as of 11/30/2009) Buy Now

Petmate Stainless Style Bowl Medium, Black/Stainless Steel

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Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 11/30/2009) Buy Now

Pet Supply Imports Water Hole Dish

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Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 11/30/2009) Buy Now

Petmate Stainless Style Pet Bowl Medium, Blue/Stainless Steel

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $10.00 (as of 11/30/2009) Buy Now

Brake Fast Blue Food Bowl (Medium)

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $15.97 (as of 11/30/2009) Buy Now

5. Dogs help you exercise! 

When you get a dog, you have to play with him or her, take them out for walks, and make sure they get their necessary exercise. Which means that YOU are getting your necessary exercise as well! So by adopting a dog, you will be improving your own health while you are taking care of your dog!

Stay healthy and have fun exercising with your dogs!

Look at the dog and the goat!

Check out these lenses on dog care... 

4. You'll make a new friend! 

You know what they say...dogs are man's best friend. Dogs are the best friends that anyone can have. They love unconditionally and will stay by your side their whole life. You'll have someone to talk to, someone to cuddle with, someone who will play with you when you're feeling down! Dogs will be loyal to you even when people aren't.

Adopt a dog and you'll get a best friend for life.

Dogfessions Book on Amazon 

Dogfessions

Amazon Price: $17.59 (as of 11/30/2009)Buy Now

This adorable book spotlights dogs and their owners! Confessions both funny and from the heart. If you love dogs, you'll love this book, just like I do!

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

3. They're so darn cute! 

Just take a look at those adorable faces. The cute little eyes and wet nose and soft little fur! Dogs are so cute, how can you say no!?

This little pup needs a hug. How about you give that shelter dog a hug, and adopt him too?

2. You'll save money! 

Adopting a dog from a shelter saves you money?

Yes, adopting a shelter dog can save you a ton of money! Dogs from pet stores can cost thousands of dollars...by adopting a dog from a shelter, not only are you saving a life, but you're saving money as well. Not to mention, the dogs from shelters are already fixed, so it saves you tons of money from the vet.

So save some money and adopt today!

Doggy wants to shake your hand?

Some fun things to do with your dog! 

1. You'll save that dog's life! 

Too many shelters still euthanize dogs...

Not only are there still many kill-shelters out there that euthanize dogs that can't find homes, but there are also shelters that have to put the animal back on the streets because they have no room. If you adopt a dog, you'll be saving their life!

By adopting an animal, you're saving their life and giving them a loving family and a home!

Do you own a shelter dog? 

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What more reasons do you have to adopt a shelter dog? 

Add your own reasons to adopt a dog (or any pet) from a shelter, and vote on others!

Because you'll have someone to talk to!

1 point

They Make Your Heart Bigger

1 point

Can't Adopt a Dog?

Volunteer at your local shelter and help out! Or, donate towels, blankets, or whatever else your local shelter might need.

Learn More About Puppy Mills 

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Donate to the ASPCA! 

The Society was formed to alleviate the injustices animals faced then, and we continue to battle cruelty today. Whether it's saving a pet who has been accidentally poisoned, fighting to pass humane laws, rescuing animals from abuse or sharing resources wi

We at Squidoo passionately believe in creating new ways to support good causes online. By making a donation to ASPCA from this page, you are sending money directly to that organization, in whatever amount you want. We don't touch it. We don't even see it. The author of this page doesn't either. And if you made it this far, thanks for caring.

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Leave your feedback! Tell your dog adoption stories!


Thanks for visiting this lens! Leave a comment, tell me what you think or tell your tales of dog adoptions!

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  • Reply
    blue22d blue22d Aug 29, 2009 @ 5:05 pm
    Nice lens. As a kid, we always go our dogs from the shelter. Your doing a great service adopting a pet and taking care of the many dogs unloved. Five stars and a favorite.
  • Reply
    Wysiwigs Wysiwigs Jun 4, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
    Great lens and a wonderful to spread the word on the plight of dogs in shelters! Congratulations on your purple star ~ your lens is awesome :o)
  • Reply
    kiwisoutback kiwisoutback May 8, 2009 @ 9:44 am
    Congratulations on your purple star! Shelter dogs are the only way to go.
  • Reply
    CoolFoto CoolFoto May 7, 2009 @ 10:40 am
    Congrats on your well deserved Purple Star, 5*, and lensroll to my Dog Pets http://www.squidoo.com/dogpets
  • Reply
    boshemia boshemia May 3, 2009 @ 12:25 am
    We don't have a shelter in our area, but two out of our three dogs were rescues. The Rottweiler was given to us as a gift. I can't imagine life without my little mutts (see ugly dogs need love too lens) Especially my baby Roo, she is my constant companion. Sometimes I wonder about the people who abandoned her, if they only knew what an amazing dog she would turn out to be... or my kids dog Oi, she is the sweetest dog I've ever met, perfectly content to just love and be loved. She can also jump 5' straight up. Our dogs bring so much joy and laughter to our lives... it would be so dull and boring without them! I now know why pet lovers are supposed to live longer!

    Great job, adopt a dog today and let them into your heart. It is so totally worth it!
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Lensmaster unique_freak77 has been a member since October 30 2007, has rated 224 lenses, favorited 48, and has created 58 lenses from scratch. Stephanie I donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund, Acumen Fund, and ASPCA. This member's top-ranked page is "Maximum Ride the Movie". See all my lenses

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