Dog adoption is slowly becoming more and more common in Australia and this is certainly a positive for our treasured canines. There are literally thousands of pets in shelters and rescue centres waiting to be homed. If you are considering a new dog for your family, consider adopting a dog and don’t hesitate to reach out to your dog minder about any questions you may have – they will certainly be able to put you in touch with some valuable resources. Also consider offering Dog Boarding in your Home as a ‘road test’ to adopting a dog of your own.
Dog adoption is not right for everyone, and it is not something you should enter into lightly. Before owning a dog you should have the mindset that this four-legged friend will be part of your life for as long as 15 years. You need to consider shelter, the food that they eat, periodic vaccinations and other general expenses. Having a puppy can be as time demanding as a young child so adopting an older dog may be far more suitable. You might have a specific breed in mind but also consider age, grooming needs, size, level of activity and health issues. Better yet, make a list of dog features broken down into three areas: What you absolutely need in a dog, What you’d like in a dog (but can live without)?, and what are the big no-no’s.
Before you visit shelters & rescues, you need to check the reputation of that organisation, they should be reasonable when it comes to price and the facility must be clean and safe. With these minor checks you can be sure the dog has been properly taken care of at the shelter.