I'll always remember what it was like welcoming my dog, Burly, into our home. My husband had never had a dog before. I had, but it was a childhood dog. Buttons was incredible, but at the end of the day, most of her care was completed by my parents. (I was in third grade at the time, so I did what I could.)
Burly was a new experience. For one, we had bought Buttons at a breeder's house in New York. There were white, fluffy bichons all over the property. The house was pristine. But Burly was a shelter dog.
The second we met him, we fell in love. It seemed as if he had chosen us, in a certain way. While both experiences were different, there was something special about visiting the shelter. And honestly, it's an experience I'll suggest to anyone. Here's why.
1. Rescue pets are extremely grateful.
Pets can feel more than you may think. Just take a look at all of those videos of military heroes returning home after serving overseas and reuniting with their dogs. Pets who have been in shelters for a long time miss the basic necessities that many others have — a warm and loving home, good food, and plenty of attention. A shelter dog very much wants you to to choose him.
The staff of the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare published an article about animal gratitude based on what they have witnessed. "Wouldn't you be grateful to be rescued from life at a cold, loud, dangerous truck stop into a warm, safe shelter with plenty of food and water?" they wrote. "We've heard from many adopters who tell us how 'grateful' their rescued pet is to be adopted. How they show them their appreciation with tail wags, face licks, purrs and snuggles."
2. Shelter pets often come with their shots, a microchip, and any necessary surgery.
Shelters run differently, but most don't believe in sending an unaltered male or female back into the mix as a way to control the pet population. That's great for you, since it's one less thing you need to worry about.
Getting your pets spayed or neutered is also a great way to help them live as long as possible. A University of Georgia study researched 70,000 animal patients and concluded that the life expectancy of neutered male dogs was 13.8% longer. Spayed female dogs had an even better percentage, living 26.3% longer than an unspayed dog.
3. You're saving a life.
Thankfully, more and more no-kill shelters are popping up around the world. But some shelters aren't able to sustain that. In order to make room for new arrivals, they have to make choices, and dogs and cats who've been at the shelter for too long are deemed unadoptable and have to be put down.
It's a situation nobody wants. When you rescue a dog or cat, you're both saving their life and also making room for another animal who was surrendered or lost.
4. Adult animals are often much easier to take care of.
At some shelters, even a 1½-year-old pup counts as an "adult." There's always such a rush on puppies that oftentimes older dogs get neglected. But older dogs are fantastic.
Most older dogs know how to take care of their business outside already, and they've already expressed their feelings on cats, other dogs, and kids. With an older dog, you'll have a better opportunity to know what they'll be like in your home.
Cats are the same. Visiting cats at the shelter will give you a great idea of what personality traits they have.
5. You're honoring your pet's past family.
Sometimes, people surrender dogs and cats due to selfish reasons. For many, they didn't realize that pets are a long-term commitment. But other pets at shelters have tragic stories. It's possible their owner died, and they're suddenly without the only home they've ever known.
Being able to provide a new home for one of these dogs is a way to pay tribute to the life they had before you. You might not know what that life was like, but your new pet will appreciate a second chapter in life.
6. Getting a shelter pet is a lot of fun.
Being able to peruse a wide selection of dogs and cats is actually a lot of fun. While it's important to have a general idea of what breed will work best for your lifestyle, it's more fun to search long and hard for your new best friend. Plus, animals like the visits.
Some animal shelters are set up so that dogs and cats can roam free. This is a good way to really interact with them and see how they're like with other animals. For pet lovers, it's also fun to see them out on the floor. Always check the reviews of the shelter beforehand so you have an idea of what kind of experiences the place provides.
7. Shelter pets may inspire you to volunteer more.
Animal shelters often look for good volunteers who'll help walk the dogs, clean cages, and make sure everyone's fed and loved. If your heart has melted by all of the adoptable dogs and cats on your visit, maybe you should apply to volunteer. That way, you can really make a difference — and also meet a lot of the new dogs and cats as they come in.
Volunteering your time is something that you should consider at least once in your life. You never know where the experience may lead.
8. A pet from the shelter will bring you more joy than you realize.
If you're adopting a slightly older pet and not a fresh puppy or kitten, it's very likely that you'll be able to enjoy their company immediately. Sure, your new animal may take some time to get used to you and their new home, but you likely don't have to worry about puppy pad training or socialization. Of course, every pet differs.
That said, it's really rewarding to sit down and think about what bringing this pet into your household means. It means that they're no longer on the streets or in a cage. It means that they're getting a do-over in life. And, of course, it means that you've got a new best friend for life. What's not to love about that?
