October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month! Although the month is almost at an end, adopting a dog—or cat or other pet, for that matter—is a great thing to do any time of year. You’re not only saving the life of that one pet, but you’re opening up room in the shelter so another pet who is homeless or at risk of being euthanized can be saved.
Just some of the benefits of having a dog for your family, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Developing positive feelings about pets can contribute to a child’s self-esteem and self-confidence. Positive relationships with pets can aid in the development of trusting relationships with others. And a good relationship with a pet can also help in developing non-verbal communication, compassion and empathy.
Pets can serve different purposes for children:
- They can be safe recipients of secrets and private thoughts; children often talk to their pets, like they do to their stuffed animals.
- They provide lessons about life, including reproduction, birth, adoption, illnesses, accidents, death and bereavement.
- They can help develop responsible behavior in the children who care for them.
- They provide a connection to nature.
- They can teach respect for other living things.
Once you’ve decided to add a pet to your family, there are many reasons that adoption is the way to go. Shelter pets will love and appreciate you for saving them. While all animals, whether adopted or purchased, give love to their families, shelter pets seem to have an extra-special feeling of gratitude, and you’ll be the beneficiary of all that lovin’!
In addition, many shelter dogs are already house-trained. While most shelters do have puppies (and is there anything better than puppy dog breath?), adopting a somewhat older dog has real advantages. Along with being house-trained, they are past the chewing stage, and since their personality is already in evidence, the shelter worker can help you match the pet’s personality to your family’s needs.
Shelters and rescue groups often have purebred dogs, so if you want a particular breed, you can likely find it. But remember, mixed breeds are often healthier animals, having bypassed the genetic disorders that can be passed down in purebreds.
Want to learn more about pet adoption? Click here for a great source of information.
Sources:
http://www.aspca.org/adopt/adopt-a-shelter-dog-month
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/top-reasons-adopt-pet
https://www.rd.com/advice/pets/shelter-dog-benefits/
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/top-reasons-adopt-pet
