Are you thinking of purchasing a dog? Then this article is just for you! Before buying a puppy from a breeder, let us present to you 5 reasons why you should adopt a dog is the superior choice. Currently in the United Kingdom there are over 100,000 dogs in shelters waiting to be taken to their forever home, and one of them could be your perfect fit.
1. Adopting a dog saves the dog’s life!
Did you know that over 20,000 dogs are put down in the UK every year? Unfortunately, shelters have limited space, meaning that the only option is to put some of the dogs to sleep. When you adopt a dog, you are quite literally saving their life! This alone is such a rewarding experience for you and your dog. As you may know dogs are extremely loyal, and they are aware of the kind act that you are doing for them. This is turn, creates a very affectionate furry friend.
2. Puppy Mills
Buying a puppy contributes to the growing problem of mass breeding. Not only is mass breeding a huge issue, but a lot of the puppies will later in life end up in a shelter anyway. The conditions in puppy mills are horrific, from dirty cages to cramped living conditions. The female dogs are forced to continuously have litters until they are physically unable to have anymore. Once the female dogs cannot reproduce, they are then killed. There are moral and ethical concerns when purchasing a puppy. Even if you do your research, you may still be unknowingly purchasing from a puppy mill!
3. Adopting an adult dog
Adopting a dog which is an adult means you don’t need to experience the awkward puppy stage where they pee on the carpet and chew your furniture! Take advice from any dog owner, the puppy stage is a nightmare! This is already a huge benefit on why you should adopt. Additionally, there are so many dogs at the shelter, that you can pick the best fit for your personality. As the dog is already fully developed, their personality won’t change. If this is your first dog, adopting an adult dog can be much more manageable, as the dogs tend to already be trained, they’re calmer than puppies and in general easier going dogs.
4. Adopting a healthy dog
Whilst dogs are kept in shelters, they receive access to health care and medicines. If a dog has a known underlying health condition, it is disclosed during the adoption process so you can make an informed decision on the dog. When purchasing a puppy, it is unknown what health problems they may have in the future.
5. Building a lifelong friendship!
Speaking from personal experience, my dog is my best friend, and one of the best decisions I ever made. It is incredibly rewarding having a dog and brings joy and happiness to both the owner and the dog.
Before you jump into dog adoption, there are things to consider!
As exciting as it may be to adopt, a dog is for life, and only adopt if you are prepared to keep the dog and not put it back into a shelter. Before deciding that adoption is right for you, consider these.
Time – dogs are a huge time commitment and require attention, care, exercise every day and can’t be left alone for more than 8 hours in a row. If you are wanting to go abroad, if you are going to a wedding, going away for a long weekend that is not dog friendly, you need to organise where the dog can go. It is a huge commitment having a dog.
Financially – unfortunately dogs are expensive! From food to toys to dog accessories but most importantly vet bills. If your furry friend falls ill this can get very expensive, even with insurance.
Sharing your home – if you are a clean and tidy person who hates a messy home then you may find a dog challenging.
Are you now prepared to adopt a dog?
There are some essentials products needed before you can adopt, below we have created a starter pack of everything you need for dogs before you are ready to adopt!
The first essential item is a dog bed, this one is waterproof, machine washable and is suitable for small to large dogs. The bed comes with a 1 year warranty and is priced at £30.99 which is a great price for a high quality dog bed. If you are wanting more information on dog rates and crate training, check out our blog post ………. click here!
Dogs need a separate food and water bowl, and it is important the water bowl is accessible at all times! Below is a set of two bowls, which are non-slip. The stainless steel is easy to clean and durable.
Dog Treats
Having some dog treats in your home will make your dog feel better when being brought home. It can be an overwhelming and scary experience so giving them a treat will help calm their nerves. For dog food, it is advised to keep dogs on the same food, therefore ask the adoption centre on advice on the type of food that your dog is currently eating.
Dog Toys
Having one or two toys to welcome your dog home too will make their area feel like their own. If you want to find out more about stimulating dog toys, read our blog ……
Dog Accessories
Having a few basics such as a dog collar and lead so you can take your dog a walk is a must have! Linked below is a reflective dog collar and lead made from high quality soft material.
Are you ready to take the next step to adopt a dog?
Here are some helpful websites if you are ready to start looking for your furry friend.
Dogs Trust
Dogs Trust is the largest dog charity in the UK with locations all across England, Scotland, Wale and Northern Island. It’ s a great place to start your search in adopting a dog. To visit there website click here!
RSPCA
RSPCA have this great feature on their website which allows you to search for a dog in your area, click here to use this feature!
Check out our other blog posts!
If you want to find out more about all things dogs, check out of blog posts page click here!
