| Deciding to add a new pet to your family can be a | | | | dog may be sent to a home that fosters dogs for |
| big decision. According to the American Pet Products | | | | training or some organizations have in-house training. |
| Manufacturers Association, dogs are the most | | | | When a sheltered pooch is chosen, the new owner |
| popular pet in homes throughout the country. They | | | | normally receives information on the dog's |
| make wonderful companions! Deciding between a | | | | temperament, personality, habits and information |
| new puppy or a rescue animal can also be a tough | | | | from the previous owner, if it is available. The |
| choice. However, there are many benefits of | | | | organizations often have hotlines for questions that |
| adopting a rescue dog. | | | | may arise once a new pet is taken home. |
| The greatest advantage of making a rescue dog | | | | Rescue animals can be bought at a minimal cost. |
| your own is that an animals life has been spared. The | | | | Breeders charge much more than a canine that is |
| goal of the Humane Society and rescue organizations | | | | found at a rescue organization or shelter. An individual |
| is to end euthanasia. The Humane Society, along with | | | | will have many choices to choose from when making |
| the Ad Council and Maddie's Fund, started the Shelter | | | | the decision to get a rescue dog. Big, small, healthy, |
| Pet Project, to inspire people to adopt pets from | | | | sickly, young or old are just some of the different |
| rescue shelters and organizations. They are trying to | | | | animals that a shelter may contain. There may be |
| make people more aware of the epidemic of | | | | purebreds and mixed breeds. New dogs are taken to |
| abandoned, unwanted and sheltered dogs. | | | | shelters daily. |
| Rescue dogs are often already housebroken and | | | | Dogs from a rescue organization or animal shelter are |
| may have some training. The energy and time spent | | | | usually neutered or spayed. It is one way rescue |
| when adopting a rescue dog may be less than an | | | | organizations are trying to prevent unwanted animals. |
| individual that gets a new puppy. The rescue | | | | This can keep a new owner from spending extra |
| organization or shelter can usually give new owners | | | | money on their rescue pet. |
| details on the amount of energy that may be | | | | There are many benefits of getting a rescue pooch |
| required to get the dog trained and/or housebroken. | | | | for a pet. All dogs take time and devotion. By picking |
| Rescue animals are evaluated by the shelters and | | | | one from a shelter or rescue organization, a new pet |
| rescue organizations to assess the dogs | | | | owner will help a worthy cause of helping abandoned |
| temperament and behavior, before letting them be | | | | and unwanted animals, and also, reap the benefit of |
| adopted. If behavioral problems are determined, the | | | | having a loving companion. |