If you’ve decided to welcome a dog into
your family and have also decided to choose one who is currently residing in a
rescue centre then first of all – congratulations! You’ve made a good choice – choosing one of
the many rescue dogs for adoption is the right thing to do. There are more dogs in the UK (and US) than
there are responsible owners and whenever people choose to buy dogs from
specialist breeders the problem will continue to increase.
 |
| "Two Puppies" |
But how do you choose from the many dogs
housed in rescue centres? The average
person looking for a rescue dog for adoption will be a family member looking
for a dog who will fit into their lives and home. There are many dogs awaiting adoption who
simply won’t fit that mould – they need extra time, special attention and
training to be cared for properly.
The important thing to remember is that you
have to go to the rescue centre with a pretty good idea of what sort of dog you
want before you get there. It’s just too
easy to see all the dogs and fall for their sad little faces and big puppy eyes
and then end up with a dog whose temperament or behaviour just doesn’t fit with
your family or home situation.
You can search online for specific breeds
that crop up in rescue centres quite frequently – you don’t have to choose a
mongrel or mixed-breed dog just because you’re choosing one from a shelter or
animal charity. You can also phone round
the local rescue centres and ask about specific breeds (or particular sizes or
temperaments) and ask for your name and number to be taken in case a suitable
dog becomes available.
Check the rescue centre’s ‘return policy’ –
a reputable rescue centre will accept the return of a dog at any time during
its life for any reason. You shouldn’t
expect to get any money back, but it is a good indication of a reputable
shelter that they should be willing to accept long-term responsibility for the
dogs that they arrange to be re-homed.
As part of the adoption process, you should
be able to see the dog you are considering adopting away from the shelter’s
enclosures. Dogs can behave very
differently inside enclosed spaces than they do outside and with several people
present and it’s important that you choose a dog that you know will suit the
life you have planned for them.
Check whether the dogs at the rescue centre
are tested for temperament and behaviour and whether a history is available for
the dog you are interested in (why was the dog taken into the rescue
centre? Is there a history of
biting? Has the dog lived with children
previously and, if so, of what age were those children?).
If you don’t have a particular breed in
mind, then at least have a type of behavior in mind – do you want an energetic
dog, a lap dog, a dog that will enjoy playing with the family? Trust your instincts that are based on clear
research and consideration and enjoy the benefits of giving a rescue dog a home
for life.
You may want to look into pet insurancequotes (RSPCA Pet Insurance) to make sure that you are covered in case of
illness with your dog. The RSPCA is a UK charity promoting the care and welfare of animals. RSPCA pet insurance will look after your dog in the case of an accident, and 20% of the policy premium goes straight back into the charity.
No comments:
Post a Comment