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There are many benefits to adopting a dog from an animal shelter. Foremost, you’re giving an animal a second chance for a happy life in a loving home. But it can also be a practical choice – adopting an adult dog allows you to skip the chaotic puppy stage, plus you can be more confident about their size and temperament. Senior dogs can be a great fit for someone with a less active lifestyle and still give years of joy. Also, shelter dogs all come desexed, microchipped and health checked.
Many dogs are surrendered to shelters because their owners didn’t have time for them, so consider whether you can give a dog up to 20 years of love and care. Suzana Talevski of The Lost Dogs’ Home says while owning an animal can be a great experience, pet adoption is not a decision to be taken lightly. “Before you adopt a pet, ensure that you’ve thought carefully about what pet ownership entails and whether you can meet an animal’s physical and mental needs,” she says. Consider how much time you’ll be able to spend with your dog and how it might cope with existing pets and kids. Also look at how well equipped your home is, including dog-proof fencing.
Shelter staff will help you find the right match for your lifestyle. Be prepared to ask the hard questions and carefully consider the answers – don’t be seduced by puppy-dog eyes. Ask how the dog ended up at the shelter and think about whether this will be an issue for you. Shelter staff will also alert you to any medical or behavioural issues that need to be addressed, as well as the dog’s likes and dislikes.
Then comes the exciting part: taking your new family member home. “When collecting your pet, it’s important you head straight home and do not make any stops,” warns Suzana. “Your new pet is likely to be feeling overwhelmed, and you don’t want to exacerbate their stress by stopping at the pet store or visiting friends or family.” For the first few days, she advises keeping life quiet as your pet settles into their new home. It can be at least a few weeks, maybe even months, before your dog starts to relax in their new surroundings. “Give your pet plenty of enrichment, such as treat puzzles, to help build a positive association with their new home,” suggests Suzana. Enrichment activities can also help settle exuberant or active dogs. “This can be a scary time for a pet, and also an exciting one, so loads of patience and tolerance will go a long way towards a successful new friendship,” she says.
Read up on our 101 tips for dog ownership.
Photo credit: Adobe Stock
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