Rescuing And Adopting A Dog

When you take on a rescued dog, you are taking on the responsibility for the rest of his or her lifetime. Please look ahead to the future with your dog. Are you really sure that you are sufficiently committed to the time, effort, Training and the expense that your dog will need, not just immediately but for a lifetime? Are you going to be able to work through the challenges and issues that are part of dog ownership?

Determine what type of dog you have in mind. Are you looking for a big dog or a small dog? A puppy or an adult one? A dog who is independent or one that always thrives for your attention? Are there small children in your home? Show your list to the shelter staff who can help you find the dogs that meet your preferences. My favorite dog is The Boxer

As the staff take you on tour around the dog's individual crates, you will notice that a lot of them will be in obvious distress, crying and howling. Some will be quiet and oblivious - wishing perhaps that their whole sad life would just end. Others will be barking nonstop - get me out of here! Get me out of here!

All of them, however, are desperate for love and attention.

While a number of shelter dogs will have been abused that is not always the case. There are many reasons why dogs end up in a shelter. Sometimes it is because the elderly owner had to move to a nursing home and there is no one left to look after the dog. Perhaps the owner dies and the rest of his family aren't able to keep the animal. Another case is when the owner has to go on military duty, or their employment keeps them away from home for long periods at a time. Perhaps the owner has moved to an area which does not welcome dogs. Don't jump to conclusions.

A very common reason for dogs ending up in a shelter is because they have a behavioural problem and the owner does not know how to fix it. These two reasons, in my opinion, do not make sense and do not validate the owner's love for their dogs. There are loads of training classes out there and loads of "how to" manuals that will help a dog overcome these difficulties. Here is one I would recommend.

Most shelters have their own medical backup; all animals coming into a shelter will receive a health check. Ask questions about the dog's health. Find out the last time he was seen by the vet. Ask if he has any kind of sicknesses that you should be aware of, such as hip dysplasia or worms and think seriously about getting your own Dog Health Insurance when you get your new best friend home.

What is the dogs background? Why did he end up in the shelter? Was he abused or neglected in any way? Does he appear to display a behavioral problem as a result of the abuse or neglect?

If you have kids, find out if the dog gets along with them before you take him home. If you spot a dog you especially like ask the staff if you can have 24 hours to think it over and if you can take you kids there to see how they react to the dog, and just as important how the dog reacts in their presence.

If you do not have children now but are planning to have one, have another child go with you and observe how they behave towards one another.

Find out how the dog behaves toward different dogs and other animals. Ask a shelter staff to bring some of the animals next to the dog and observe how he interacts with them.

By doing these things, you will not only give these dogs a second chance at life, but you are also preventing them from facing an untimely and unnecessary death. I personally have a Boxer that I rescued at a shelter where I live in Ireland and he has turned out to be one of the friendliest Boxers I've ever owned.

When you do get you animal home, certainly within the week, take him to your local vet, get he checked out and start any necessary inoculation program. One last word - rescued or not give your dog love and affection and it will return it ten fold.

There are literally thousands of animal welfare societies operating all over the globe, it would be impossible to list them all here for that reason I've taken what I believe are most useful links I can offer you - follow them and you should find what your are looking for quite easily.

The American Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals
The Royal Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals
The Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
RSPCA Australia

The Kennel Club
Kennel Club of America
Kennel Club of Canada

Dog Health Insurance

Dogs Worldwide My Dog Based Website
The Boxer - A Great Family Dog Another of my Squidoo Lense
Dogs Hotspots Another of my Squidoo Lenses