Most rescue dogs have sad stories -if their stories are known all at - about losing their homes through no fault of their own Adopting a shelter dog has many positives:
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Rescue dogs are usually adults, so you know what you're getting in terms of size, weight, appearance and temperament. |
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Each dog adopted from a rescue group or shelter frees a spot for another dog in need. Even if your dog comes from a no-kill shelter such as FOHA, you are saving another life! |
How can you improve your chances of making a lifelong match? There are many considerations, but the first rule is never adopt a dog impulsively because you feel sorry for it. Don't risk being unable to keep your commitment to provide a loving home for life if pity doesn't translate into a true relationship.
Adopting a shelter dog starts with the same process as the decision to adopt any pet. You need to know what you expect from a dog (a couch potato partner, a jogging buddy?), the size and temperament you can accommodate (do you have room for a large dogs? can you provide adequate exercise for a busy dog?), whether your landlord, significant other or all other family members living in the household supports the decision to adopt and can support a dog's needs.
Even though a family decision is made to adopt a dog and divide up the duties, parents need to understand and accept that the ultimate responsibility for caring for the dog falls on you. Parents must be willing to pick up the slack when one family member forgets to care for the dog. It is not fair for the dog to suffer or pay the price of someone's else carelessness, schedule conflicts or loss of interest.
If you are contemplating a lifestyle change, such as marriage, relocation, or starting a family in the next 10+ years, you should make sure that these changes will accommodate the ability to provide for your dog. Many dogs are discarded at shelters because of these changes. Again, these dogs wind up at shelters through no fault of their own.
Allergies prevent many families from adopting pets. However, many allergies can be controlled with medications. If your family has members with pet allergies, please discuss this with our doctor PRIOR to making he decision to adopt.
Mixed breed dogs make wonderful pets and can be healthier than purebred dogs. Even if you aren't looking for a purebred, it's wise to become familiar with the traits and needs of various breeds since hay can provide a general idea of what you can expect from a mix. You can use your breed preferences to help you narrow down your choices.
Take your time and visit with more than one candidate. Learn all you can about their histories, traits, and needs. FOHA takes the time to find out what you are looking for and will guide you through your search. FOHA has taken the time to get to know specific breed traits and each of its dogs and can suggest one or more that might be a fit. FOHA can answer questions about each dog's health, temperament, ability to love with children or cats, and specific areas that need attention. Don't be offended if FOHA makes detailed inquiry about you, your pet history and your intentions for a dog. FOHA has invested time and money in each rescue and cares deeply that each dog is a perfect fit for the adoptive family.
This is a happy and exciting time for you but can be a stressful transition for your dog. It's likely that he won't immediately act the same as he did at the shelter. It is imperative that your new family addition is not pushed into new situations TOO fast. Remember that dogs are VERY routine oriented and your new family member has experienced little more than uncertainty during his journey from his former home to yours. He will likely be recovering from a very stressful part of his life. Be patient and consistent. A stressed dog in a new situation with new owners can give out warning signals indicating that he is not comfortable in a given situation; signals such as lip curls, growling, snapping. Please do not try to have an "instant dog" that can accompany you everywhere you do initially. Don't try to introduce your new dog to distant family members, neighbors or children until your dog has settled in and is willing to approach these people on his own.
Your new family member may also begin to exhibit some problems like lapses in house training, barking, shyness, etc that were not apparent during the adoption process. This is when patience, love, and commitment come in. Be sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and while you help him establish a comfortable routine. FOHA is committed to assist to ensure a successful life adoption so don't hesitate to contact <helpline@foha.org> with any questions about your FOHA adopted dog. Please remember that it can take weeks or months before your dog realizes in his new surroundings and confirms your initial impression that he is a wonderful family member.
Click on the link for more information on "Making a Successful Transition".