| If you are contemplating getting a dog, please do | | | | are only given a couple weeks, at best, before they |
| consider adopting an adult dog from a local dog | | | | are put to sleep. This is due to the fact that most |
| shelter. Dog shelters all across the United States are | | | | shelters simply do not have the room nor the money |
| over-flowing with abandoned dogs that are | | | | to house more than a few dozen adult dogs at a |
| well-deserving of a new home. Most of these dogs | | | | time. Dog shelters get the majority of their funding |
| are brought to the shelter for reasons far beyond | | | | from contributions and the staff often consists of |
| their control. Changes in family situations, moves and | | | | volunteers who donate their time to take care of the |
| illness are some of the most common reasons dog | | | | dogs and the facility. Time is simply running out for |
| owners turn their dogs over to shelters as is the fact | | | | tens of thousands of dogs all across America. It is |
| that many people simply lose interest in their | | | | heartbreaking to know that there are so many |
| four-legged friends and do not wish to care for them | | | | deserving dogs sitting in shelters that only deserve a |
| any longer. | | | | second chance at life. Most of these dogs are sweet, |
| There are some great benefits of adopting a shelter | | | | loving, great with children and other pets, but they |
| dog. First of all, you will save an incredible amount of | | | | simply fell victim to circumstances far beyond their |
| money. You can easily pick up a wonderful, fully | | | | control. |
| house trained and well-behaved adult dog from a | | | | Please take the time to travel to your nearest dog |
| shelter for a very small amount of money. Often the | | | | shelter and take a look at the adult dogs that are up |
| shelters will only require that you pay for any | | | | for adoption. Talk to the staff there and ask about |
| vaccinations that the dog may need as well as for | | | | any dog that you are interested in. Shelter workers |
| the cost of having the dog micro-chipped for his | | | | make it their business to find out as much as possible |
| safety and your peace of mind. Secondly, puppies | | | | about the dogs they are housing. They speak to the |
| require a whole lot of time and hard work. They | | | | previous owners (when possible) to find out what |
| must be constantly monitored, house trained and | | | | type of life the dog had before coming to the shelter |
| taught to walk on a leash, just to name a few of the | | | | and often assessments are made by the staff |
| responsibilities that raising a puppy entails. Raising a | | | | concerning how the dog socializes, walks on a leash |
| puppy often requires that you stay at home with the | | | | and responds to commands. |
| dog during the first few months of its life. If you do | | | | Taking the time to visit your local shelter may very |
| not have the time nor the desire to give your puppy | | | | well result in you falling in love with a dog with whom |
| the best possible up-bringing, then perhaps you should | | | | you can offer a second chance in life. The dogs are |
| consider adopting a full grown dog that is already | | | | waiting for someone just like you, so please do |
| trained and that is used to living with a family such as | | | | consider adopting a shelter dog as your next family |
| yours. | | | | pet. |
| Sadly, most adult dogs who are residing at shelters | | | | |