Bryant Sheldon of Norwich, Connecticut is an animal advocate who has rescued 5 dogs from local shelters. In the following article, Bryant Sheldon compares dog breeder adoption to rescuing a shelter dog and puts some misconceptions about rescue dogs to rest.
Preparing to welcome a new pet into the home is as exciting as it is fun but deciding where to get a furry friend from is a big choice. Should a dog be purchased from a breeder, or rescued through adoption?
According to the
American Humane Society, there are many more benefits to rescuing a dog than there are to buying from a breeder. Rescuing a dog not only benefits the dog, but greatly adds to the satisfaction of the pet owner says Bryant Sheldon of Norwich, Connecticut.
Many myths have been perpetuated about rescue animals, which can lead to some misconceptions and a hesitation to adopt. Below, Bryant Sheldon delves into the most popular misconceptions out there.
What are the Benefits of Adopting a Dog from a Rescue Center?
Animal shelters provide a place of care for dogs that have been abandoned or lost. Though the mysterious origins of a rescue dog may seem daunting, there are several benefits to adopting from a shelter or rescue society according to Bryant Sheldon who has worked for Norwich Free Academy and school districts throughout southeastern CT.
1. Cost
Most adoption centers include the cost of spaying or neutering a pet, the first vaccinations, and microchipping in the overall adoption price says Bryant Sheldon of Norwich, Connecticut. Compared to the cost of buying from breeders, most rescue dogs are over 15 times cheaper than the average purebred pup.
2. Save a Life
According to the Canine Journal, activists believe that over 38 percent of shelter pets are euthanized. What’s worse, 16.7 percent of those unfortunate souls are younger than five months old says Bryant Sheldon. Adopting a dog from a rescue shelter may save that canine’s life.
3. Training
Many dogs who spend time in a shelter are there because they’ve already lived with humans once before. A dog who has been put up for adoption has a high chance of already understanding how to interact with children, and many rescue dogs may even already be housebroken!
What are Some Misconceptions about Rescue Dogs?
1: Badly Behaved
Contrary to popular belief, many of the dogs in a shelter are not there because they upset their previous owner. Usually, these dogs have done nothing wrong. A dog may have “bad manners” simply because of a previous stressful situation.
2: Unfriendly
Rescue dogs may seem unfriendly or unapproachable, but this can have many factors, including the stress of a shelter environment. All dogs have personalities unique to them and are just as capable of growth and change as the average human toddler says Bryant Sheldon of Norwich, Connecticut.
3: Cannot be Trained
All dogs require training, and rescue pets do not have less capacity to learn than dogs purchased from a breeder. In fact, rescue dogs often already know the basics of obedience and simply need time to adjust to the routine of a new pet owner.
4: Hostility
Bryant Sheldon of Norwich, Connecticut says that an unreasonably aggressive rescue dog is rare. According to the
Best Friends Animal Society, a dog usually acts hostile out of fear. Fear and other bad behaviors, likely comes from how scary a new place seems to the dog. More often, rescue dogs are happy animals.
5: Won’t Adjust
On the contrary, senior dogs are more likely to settle into a new situation more quickly than younger dogs explains Bryant Sheldon of Norwich, Connecticut. A dog’s personality, not their age, is the best measure for how well a mature pooch acclimates to a new family.
6: Unlovable
The assumption that a rescue dog may withhold love from a new friend, even if they’ve been abandoned before, is false explains Bryant Sheldon of Norwich, Connecticut. Winning any dog’s heart is a simple matter of spending time with them and showing the dog respect.
Some shelter dogs may be used to seeing people come and go, so a little extra time is all that is needed for them to bond with a new family.
Summary
The decision to adopt or purchase from a dog breeder can offer many contributing factors to consider. At the top of that list, it is important to remember that rescuing any dog is a rewarding venture. Whether your new pet from a breeder or your local shelter, remember that all dogs just want love says Bryant Sheldon who has worked for Norwich Free Academy and school districts throughout southeastern CT.
