7 Reasons You Should Rescue a Dog Instead of Puppy Shopping

Making the decision to add a 4-legged furry friend to your family isn’t something that should be done on a whim. It comes with careful consideration, planning, and taking the appropriate steps to ensure you choose the right dog (or puppy) for your lifestyle and routine.

So, where do you start? How do you decide whether to buy or rescue? And should you consider a younger dog or a slightly older one? Here are our seven favorite reasons you should rescue a dog rather than shopping for a puppy.

Save a Life

Perhaps the most important reason to rescue and adopt a dog is to provide a loving home to an animal in need. You’re able to give a homeless dog a second chance. Most rescue dogs are strays, have been lost, given up, or abandoned, and you can protect them from possible euthanization.

These dogs are probably scared and unsure, craving affection and companionship that only a loving homeowner can provide. It’s an incredible feeling to give back and do something for someone else. By rescuing a dog from an impossible situation, you can bet you’ll have a friend for life.

You’ll Learn Compassion

And you’ll love hard. If you rescue a dog from a shelter, the odds are strong that he or she has had a difficult past. It’s also possible the dog has even endured some traumatic experiences. Therefore, you’ll need to work to give that dog what they deserve. Trust, love, and affection. You’ll likely develop a bond unlike any other, especially if you’ve had a hard past, yourself.

Often, our experiences are shared, and what you might find is that by rescuing, you can give a dog the family they’re in desperate need of. Sometimes we, as humans, do the rescuing, but really, it’s the dogs who rescue us.

You’ll Likely Skip The Training Stage

While puppies are fun and equally adorable, by choosing to rescue, you can skip the puppy stage! What does that mean? Well, no puppy chewing, teething, housebreaking, or simply the young puppy energy they’ll likely exhibit at these early stages.

If you’re set on a puppy, that’s okay, too! Just know that adopting a slightly older dog might mean less work for you when it comes to young behaviors that need to be learned. You could say older dogs are more experienced and come with a few more “manners” than the young pups. This might serve you well, too!

You May Save Some Money

Rescuing a dog instead of buying a puppy will save you money! A pet store or breeder could cost thousands of dollars. You may be able to find that same breed from a rescue at a much lower cost.

Adopting from a shelter isn’t always free. However, the fees associated with the rescue are often much lower than you’d pay to buy a dog from a store or get one from a breeder. Usually, the adoption fee includes spay/neuter services and vaccinations, too.

Look at it this way – the more money you save upfront, the more you can spend on fun with your new dog. After all, you’ll be buying toys, food, accessories, and everyday fun!

You’ll Help Control Pet Overpopulation

Often, shelters are filled to capacity with dogs; so much so that there’s no other option but to euthanize them. Pet overpopulation is a serious issue. But when you adopt from a shelter, you help free up space. This means more homeless animals that need care can be taken in.

Dogs from shelters and rescues are generally already spayed or neutered. That’s one less thing you may have to worry about. By rescuing a dog, you set an example for others, hopefully enticing them to follow in your footsteps and do their part to help solve the crisis, too.

You Can Trial By Fostering

Not sure of the type of dog that would best fit your lifestyle or personality? Well, to avoid any unexpected behavior or expense, you can foster to adopt.

By giving a dog temporary housing, you can learn which type of dog would best fit your living situation and make sure they are the dog for you! Then, when you’re ready to adopt, you’ll be ready to pour your heart out to your new furry friend, and you’ll be certain they’re the perfect match for you!

You’ll Avoid The Guessing Game

Finding a dog to fit your preferences goes far beyond a breed’s adorable looks! When you rescue from a shelter, dogs come with diverse backgrounds. Adoption counselors are generally aware of their behaviors and personalities. Especially given their history and the time they’ve spent with them.

This allows you to make an informed decision, increasing your chances of finding a dog that fits perfectly into your home environment and promising a smooth transition, AKA, a successful match for you both!

Rescued is Our Favorite Breed

Ultimately, welcoming a dog into your home is a personal choice, and you want to ensure it’s the right fit for you, regardless of how you welcome them into your family. However, there is nothing like the love of a rescued dog and the love they can give you in return.

If you choose to rescue from an animal shelter, you are saving a life and giving a second chance to a deserving pet while contributing to the welfare of animals in need. That, in itself, is enough to give it a shot and see the rewards and benefits for yourself.

Who knows, you may discover your best friend and most loyal companion – because, after all, that’s what the love of a dog is all about!