Every year, millions of animals come to rescues and shelters in the United States. Some are victims of cruelty while others of circumstance, whose owners have passed away, cannot afford veterinary care, or have moved into non-pet-friendly housing. Whichever the case, there are many good animals in need of good homes, from dogs to rabbits to birds. Although adopting a dog is a big decision, most people who take the plunge are endlessly grateful that they did. Sometimes, the family member most reluctant about the adoption is the one who the most grateful. That seems to be the case for one couple who went to a local shelter “just to look.”
“He made our house a home!”
The charity GreaterGood supports many causes but this story appeared on their Animal Rescue Site, where they support and fundraise for programs that support the health and wellbeing of animals, like care packages for shelter dogs and care packages for homeless veterans and their pets. The website also features testimonials from people who rescued and adopted a stray animal and had their lives changed for the better.
An anonymous writer from New York explained that her husband wanted a dog for a long time but she was more hesitant. Finally, she agreed to go to a local shelter “just to look.” She insisted on going to a shelter instead of a breeder since so many unfortunate animals needed a loving home. While they walked around the cages, “I noticed the saddest, most scared little black and white dog I have ever seen,” she wrote. “He looked at me and I lost all my breath. He was just standing in the back of the cage next to the wall.”
It was love at first sight. They were adopting the dog. The pup had come from a kill shelter and his new owners were determined to heal his fears with love. But he had pneumonia soon after, and had to stay at the shelter during his treatment. Although it was a 40-minute drive away from their home, the couple drove there several times a week so he wouldn’t feel abandoned. “A month later he was able to come home. It was the best day ever. He played with his very first toy, which was bittersweet. He was already 8 months old and never saw a toy….”
Three and half years later, the dog has grown in many ways, including gaining weight, overcoming fears, and learning many tricks and a wide vocabulary. “He adores my husband and waits by the door for him to come home!” the writer concluded. “He made our house a home!” [1]
Adopting a Dog from a Shelter
In exchange for good care and a loving home, pets return the favor. They can decrease stress levels, lower blood pressure, boost mood, decrease feelings of loneliness, and provide opportunities for their owners to exercise and socialize. Each kind of pet could offer different benefits and each one is unique.
“There’s not one answer about how a pet can help somebody with a specific condition,” explains Dr. Layla Esposito, the director of NIH’s Human-Animal Interaction Research Program. “Is your goal to increase physical activity? Then you might benefit from owning a dog. You have to walk a dog several times a day and you’re going to increase physical activity. If your goal is reducing stress, sometimes watching fish swim can result in a feeling of calmness. So there’s no one type fits all.” [2]
Animal shelters and rescue groups offer many healthy pets full of love to give. Many are already trained and vaccinated. Plus, you’ll save them from a life behind bars, and in some cases, euthanasia. It’s also a humane option compared to puppy mills, where the animal’s welfare is ignored for the sake of profit. These dogs often stay in terrible conditions with insufficient medical care, and the mothers are impregnated repeatedly until they are no longer profitable. [3]
When adopting a dog, it’s imperative to research the organization thoroughly to avoid supporting inhumane practices. Some puppy mills pose as rescue groups, so it’s important to research the operation’s legitimacy.
Pet Adoption Scams
Additionally, many scammers offer pet life insurance or pets themselves. They use different strategies to access payment and personal information. Some scams involve shipping animals from other countries and telling the victims to pay for shipping upfront along with other adoption-related fees, but the animals never come. In some cases, people receive animals that are unhealthy and/or different from the ad’s description.
When it comes to scams and adopting a dog, if the transaction seems too good to be true, it probably is. While researching an organization, read reviews, speak to previous clients, and visit the facility if possible. Verify any information given about a potential international pet adoption and learn about the legal requirements involving shipping animals from overseas. Do not send money before the animal is shipped. In general, it’s always better to adopt from local shelters. There are many animals nearby who could use a loving home. [4]
Keep Reading: Dying woman says final goodbye to her parrot: The bird’s instant reaction leaves us in tears
Sources
- “We only went to look.” The Animal Rescue Site. Anonymous.
- “The Power of Pets.” NIH.
- “Top reasons to adopt a pet.” The Human Society.
- “Internet Pet Adoption Scams.” CDC. December 23, 2021
