Why You Should Rescue A Dog Instead of Buying A Puppy

Puppies are adorable. They’re tiny, playful, friendly balls of fluff that soften the hearts of even the most hard-shelled people. Despite a puppy’s cuteness, there are many reasons why you should opt for rescuing a dog instead. Millions of rescue dogs are put down each year as shelters don’t have space for them. People assume dogs from rescues are aggressive, poorly-trained, unfriendly, and well, just not as cute as a puppy. Most of the time, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Rescue dogs have typically had a terrible start to life, but they’re incredibly forgiving, affectionate, loyal, and just want a loving family to give them a home.

Less Expensive

Rescuing a dog from a shelter is much less costly than buying a puppy. Certain breeds can cost between £500 and £1,000, and even then, you need to neuter/spay your pup and give it its second round of vaccinations. When you adopt a dog, the fee is generally between £100 and £200, with older dogs being less expensive. Rescue dogs come microchipped, neutered/ spayed, and have all their vaccinations, flea and worm treatments up to date. Overall, rescuing a dog is a much cheaper option.

Lots of Variety

Dog shelters generally have a lot of different types of dogs. If you have a specific dog in mind, then a shelter probably has an appropriate companion for you. All dogs are assessed and matched to what suits you best, so if you’re looking for a tiny dog suitable for small houses, the rescue centre should be able to find you a dog with those qualities. Alternatively, if you have your heart set on a purebred dog, then you’ll probably be able to find one if you look around a few rescue centres.

Less Work

Adopting a dog over buying a puppy is generally less work. Puppies cry, chew, bite, and need toilet training and constant supervision. Most adult dogs at rescue centres have already grown out of these annoying stages. Puppies are a lot of work, especially if you have a busy job and don’t have much free time. When you adopt a dog, they generally come toilet-trained and know their basic commands. You won’t have to worry about making your entire house is puppy-proof or have to train your dog to go to the toilet outside. Puppies are great at getting themselves into trouble, so a rescue dog is a much less stressful choice.

Support System

A great part about rescuing a dog is the support system you will receive from adoption centres. These adoption centres care about the wellbeing of all their animals, so it’s in their best interest to ensure you and your dog are happy. If you have any concerns with your dog’s behaviour and health, the centre you adopted your pet from will be happy to answer your queries.

More Healthy

Puppies can come with an array of health issues, especially if they are poorly-bred and kept in unhygienic surroundings. Rescue dogs are thoroughly health checked before they are adopted out, so you can rest easy knowing your new dog will be fit and strong. Additionally, most dogs in adoption centres are mongrels, which means they don’t have the genetic health problems that are associated with certain breeds.

Rewarding

Rescuing a dog that is need of a loving home is an incredibly rewarding experience. You can have bragging rights to friends and family knowing that you gave a dog with a bad upbringing a new start in life. Your new furry friend will be forever grateful for being given the opportunity to share a life with an owner that is going to love and cherish it forever.