What do you think about shelter dogs?

Question

Would you ever adopt one? I work at a shelter and I refuse to get a dog from anywhere else. most of the shelter dogs are healthier than "purebred" ones from pet stores. Did you know that?

Answer 1

All my dogs have been shelter dogs, and will probably continue to be unless I have a huge amount of time and money to spend, one day, on showing a dog.

Also, "most of the shelter dogs are healthier than "purebred" ones from pet stores"

ANYTHING is healither than mass-bred, puppymilled dogs from pet stores. I just wanted to point out this is NOT the case with responsible breeders, as they screen for different genetic diseases prior to breeding, and keep their dogs in a healthy environment.

Answer 2

I currently have one and have had many and they have all had "issues". Heck, some had more than a few!!!!!! I prefer a dog without issues, especially now that I have kids. I had at least 2 that were aggressive with food, and it was a problem.
Most dogs are at the shelter for a reason. Especially the purebreds. I like a dog without pre-packed baggage.

I must disagree on the health issue though. In the shelters in our area, the majority of the dogs in the shelters are purebreeds. How are they healthier than the mass produced pet-store dogs???? They often ARE the mass produced pet-store dogs, or they product of backyard breeding. They have the same issues. Many of the larger dogs at our shelters have poor hips, skin conditions, heartworm disease, and many mental/behavior issues. That is usually why they end up at the shelters. Most people do not dump a healthy, well behaved dog that they paid money for. Lets be realistic. People down on getting purebreeds and pet store dogs say they end up at shelters because people do not think the decision through before getting the pup. Well then you can't then say that there are just well behaved mixed breeds at the shelters. There are not too many mixed breeds in our area shelters. There are many cross breeds, but not true mixed breeds. So how are the shelter dogs healthier?????? And any dog that has spent a little too much time in a shelter is not mentally healthy. They begin to suffer "run rage" and other behavioral issues.
I am all for adopting a shelter dog if that is what you want to do, but the idea that they are healthier than pet store dogs is just not true. And dogs that end up at a shelter usually have gotten crappy vet care their entire lives. It just doesn't make sense that shelter dogs could be described as healthier.

Answer 3

All of our pets have been shelter dogs/cats. One month ago I adopted a dog from a shelter again. They truely are the best, want to please, show affection, etc. ..its like they know that this is a good home and saying thank you. Shelter pets are up to date on vaccines and vet checked. If you adopt an older dog they probably are housebroken, except expect some accidents coming into a new home. Our latest ilttle guy fit in immediatly with my family. I do think that choosing a dog that has been in a foster home is best. The foster family is able to observe the dog, know its likes and dislikes and able to place it better in its "forever home." I cannot say enough about shelter pets...give one a chance. There are soooo many that need a good home, and they are just as cute and loving if not more.

Answer 4

It does selection by ability of area and guard, yet many places I quite were will carry them on a “stray era” for some days. Ask your close by shelters what the guidelines and guard guidelines on your section are if you're curious for extraordinarily own causes- the position I stay at the moment the stray era is in straightforward words 3 days. The very last state I lived in had a 7 day carry on strays. If the dogs is stumbled on with tags they're going to probably attempt to apply them to target to the contact the owner. If the owner doesn’t declare the dogs interior the stray era the guard ought to euthanize the dogs- no matter how pleasant- at their discretion. pleasant dogs are euthanized at shelters usual if the guard does no longer have the gap or resources to look after them. also understand that some in the different case pleasant dogs that individuals carry to the guard as strays or surrenders ought to no longer do properly in a guard surroundings and ought to instruct indications of aggression in the adventure that they are frightened or lower than pressure.

Answer 5

healthier mentally and physically
I would NEVER buy from a pet store - people who do are ignorant of the facts (stores are in it for profit they dont care about the dogs, frequently getting them from puppy mills)
I used to work at a shelter too (cats dogs rabbits etc)
you have to take the time to pick the right pet

Answer 6

Ive adopted...2 dogs from the local pound. One was a yellow lab mix and the other is a purebred Great Dane! :)

Answer 7

Shelter dogs can make great pets. It's almost as if they know they've been given a second lease on life.

Answer 8

They are wonderful!! They know you save them from doom. They may have issues, depending on how they were treated before they were taken there. But I think their issues are easier to deal with than the fancy breeds. And you can work with them. They are so grateful to you and so eager to please you, they will try their very best.
Talk to the people who work at the shelter. They know the temperaments of different breeds, and are able to help you find the one that is right for you.

Answer 9

I adopted a Collie/Shepherd mix who was 4 days away from being put down. I was on vacation visiting family and drove back with her..a 22.5 hour drive. Pet store puppies are puppymill puppies and while it breaks my heart to know what they have to endure I will not purchase one. I will not support any pet store, puppymill, or byb.

Answer 10

Yes I did know that. I am a vet tech with experience in an Animal Control facility, and a Humane Society. All my dogs at one time were 'throw aways'. Now they are loved members of my 'pack'