I recently had a friend ask me for tips on how to persuade her husband that adopting her next dog, rather than going to a breeder, was the right decision for their family. She also wanted an adult dog and not a puppy. This was a wonderful opportunity to help save another rescue dog and I could have offered her dozens of reasons as to why doing so would be the right choice.

Here are just a few:

1. You are saving a life – actually 2 lives, the one you are rescuing and the other that gets pulled from a kill shelter or a stray that is rescued from the streets due to the open kennel you just created by adopting.
2. They truly seem to know that they have been rescued. The first time we brought our dog home from the shelter on a “home visit” she literally fell sound asleep in the middle of the kitchen floor. She was just so happy to be in a quiet, relaxing space. We knew at that moment she was in her forever home.

After reasons 1 & 2 do you really need more convincing?! If so, please continue reading…

3. Most shelters do a wonderful job of getting to know the dog’s temperament, personality, and can match you with your perfect dog. Whether you want a high-energy dog that will run with you, a laidback dog to watch TV with, or a dog that is good with cats, kids and other dogs; shelters have them all! We asked for an easy dog (as first time dog owners) and one that would be good with cats and children. They definitely got it right for us, we could not have gotten a better dog for our family!
4. Most dogs in rescues are mixed breeds. Mixed breeds tend to be healthier than purebred dogs and are less prone to genetic disorders. Which means fewer vet expenses!
5. Speaking of finances, rescue dogs are usually a lot less expensive to adopt than buying from a breeder. Most rescue dogs are adoptable for $200 or less.
6. You can certainly rescue puppies from shelters, but adult dogs are a wonderful choice too (and my personal preference)! Adult dog’s personalities have already developed so you know what you are getting. That is a huge advantage when you want to ensure he/she gets along with children, cats or other dogs or even in specific social situations. Puppies are cute, there is no denying that, but they only stay little for a short time so be sure to keep that in mind!

If you are still convinced that purebred dogs are the way to go (which only validates why I’m not in sales!), there are rescue groups that specialize in purebred dogs. All you have to do is search on google to find a purebred rescue close to you! Research also shows that 20% of dogs in shelters are purebred so you could find your favorite purebred dog in a local shelter as well.

Lastly, it’s important to keep in mind that most rescue dogs were surrendered to shelters for no fault of their own but most commonly because of circumstantial changes of their owners. You may or may not know your dog’s history but don’t let that scare you away. Our dog was found as a starving stray covered in ringworm. We adopted her just before her estimated 2^nd birthday and she has been nothing but wonderful to us, our friends and family, our cats, and our 1 year old son. My husband and I are constantly saying that we couldn’t have asked for a better dog for our family, and I have a feeling we aren’t the only lucky ones!

My question for you is…Why wouldn’t you adopt a rescue dog???