If you are in the search for a good and loving family member or pet, look no further than a dog rescue. A dog rescue is a great place to go if you are interested in a dog but do not have the room or money for a pet of your own. Unlike a regular shelter, a dog rescue will not require any fee to adopt a pet, but may require minimal vaccinations. Because they are not on the leash of a trainer or the family, dogs at rescue walks are often healthier and less aggressive than their counterparts at a traditional shelter or boarding school. Plus, at a dog rescue, you’ll likely come face-to-face with some of the most loving, sweetest dogs around!
When you meet a dog rescue group, it is important to do a “home visit.” This is simply an assessment of the home, and it is a good idea to be certain that the environment is going to be a good fit for your new family member. Usually, a home visit will include everything from a tour of the house and yard, to meeting the dogs and their owners, to a meet and greet when you arrive at the shelter.
While you may be intrigued by some of the many different breeds of dogs available at dog rescues, you should not choose the first breed you meet at the shelter. Chances are good that you will not make a good match with just one breed. Rescue organizations take in all kinds of dogs – large, small, energetic, lonely, or fearful. All of these dog breeds could make good pets, but not all of them will mesh well with your unique personality and habits.
It is important to realize that not all purebred dogs at dog rescues are from purebred parents. Many rescue organizations simply have mixed-breed dogs, and are not purebred themselves. There are mixed-breed dogs that were started as a result of a accident or an illness, and these dogs need extra care to adjust to their new lifestyle. When you meet a dog rescue dog, you will be assured that he has been checked out and given the best health care possible. Many purebred dogs end up at dog rescues because of health problems, such as a congenital defect, but their parents can’t help them, and the resulting offspring is often very sickly.
When you meet a dog at a dog rescue, you will also have an opportunity to discuss the kind of home you want your pet to live in. Many pet adoption centers want to ensure that animals they have in their care are living in loving homes where they will be properly cared for. They have your pet’s personality and history studied so that when they make the final decision to adopt him or her, they are aware of what you expect. If you don’t feel like your home or lifestyle would mesh well with a dog, then perhaps it would be in your best interest to stay in contact with the center until you find a match. You may find that you are not compatible at all, but it will be better than having to give up a beloved pet.
Some dogs are born with an undesirable trait, and rescues often spay (remove the uterus and ovaries) unwanted dogs to cut down on the ratio of dogs having puppies. Statistics show that the ratio of unwanted births to births is much higher among spayed females. The goal of spaying is to prevent future litters from occurring, so if you plan on adopting a dog, it is in your best interest to request that he or she be spayed before the adoption process is begun. Although most dogs will be cleared by the veterinarian to breed, some will never be, and you want to make sure that there are no unplanned litters ever again.