8 Reasons You Should Adopt A Rescue Dog

1. You Can Save A Dog's Life

It is a sad fact of reality that each year thousands of dogs are put to sleep, often simply because they do not have a home to call their own.  By choosing to adopt a rescue dog, you are not only saving the life of the dog you take home, but you also then free up a space for another dog in need to come into the rescue.  Win, win!

2.  Your New Dog's World Will Change Forever

Although not all dogs that find themselves up for adoption have suffered from abuse or neglect, many of them unfortunately have.  By adopting a dog and giving them the best life they can possibly have, you will make their whole world a better place.  How can you not be happy at the thought of that?

3. It Can Be More Financially Viable

In the vast majority of cases, the adoption fee for a rescue dog is much lower than that of the cost of purchasing a puppy from a breeder.  Now I am not saying that this should be the sole reason for adopting a dog, but it is an added benefit.  Not only that, but the full amount of your adoption fee goes back into funding the care required for the other current dogs looking for their own homes too.  

4. It Will Help Stop Puppy Farms

Opting to adopt a rescue dog means the demand for puppies is decreased.  This means that 'puppy farms' would hopefully find it more difficult to sell their puppies.  Puppy farms breed solely for profit, without considering the welfare of the mothers and their puppies.  Their dogs are often kept in disgusting conditions, receiving little to no proper care or veterinary attention.  This often results in serious health conditions which can even prove fatal for the puppies, as well as causing heartbreak for their new owners.  

Puppy farms will always continue to operate, provided there is enough demand for the puppies they are producing.  By rescuing a dog instead, you can ensure that the puppy farmers do not receive any money or support from you.

5. You Will Gain A Best Friend

Despite the myth that every rescue dog comes complete with 'baggage' in the form of behavioural issues or health problems, this is actually rarely the case.  The most common causes for owners wanting to sign their dogs over to a rescue are:

• Moving house
• Having a baby
• Changing jobs or working longer hours 
• Decline in their health
• Changes in family circumstances (divorces etc)
• Reduced finances 

All of these reasons are no fault of the dog whatsoever, yet still they often find themselves getting the bad side of the deal.  I personally have 3 rescue dogs and one of them especially is the type of dog everyone wants!  She is easy going, amazing company, great with other dogs, loves meeting new people and is an all round amazing girl.  The chances are, there are hundreds more just like her, waiting for you to bring them home.  

6. You Will Get A Better Match

Rescue centres work tirelessly in order to successfully pair up the dogs they have looking for homes, with prospective new owners.  Combining the research that goes into your background, lifestyle, home and work commitments etc, with the fact that rescue workers often know their dogs extremely well, is a recipe for success.  This ensures that you are paired with the most suitable dog for your circumstances and vice versa, which makes for a lifelong happy relationship for you both.

7. You Will Be Supported

Many rescues are only too happy to give you help and advice following the adoption of your new canine companion.  Larger charities even have their own behaviourists who can assist you with any behavioural issues you may be experiencing and any training queries you may need help with.  

Less reputable breeders rarely offer this and in fact they can be difficult or impossible to contact once money has been transferred and the puppy is back home with you.  

8. Variety Is The Spice Of Life

There are often dogs of all different shapes and sizes in rescues, looking for homes to call their own.  It is a myth that all rescue dogs are crossbreeds without any history, as more and more commonly, pedigree dogs are being surrendered for rehoming too.  You never know which dog you may fall in love with at your local rescue centre and you may be surprised that they are not the breed you had in mind!  

However, if you would prefer a specific breed then do not fear!  There are breed specific rescues all over the country, that focus solely on helping rehome that breed, so it is definitely worth looking into. 

If you would like to learn more about how best to settle in your rescue dog into their new home, there are lots of great ideas in my book Canine Contentment - The Essential Guide