Have you considered enriching your world with a dog? There’s no time like Adopt-A-Dog Month to put some thought into this important decision.

Why Adopt?

Dog owners have different reasons for adding a furry family member, but they all get a daily dose of love, loyalty and laughs.

Are you looking for:

• an exercise buddy?
• a best friend and confidant for your child?
• a dog you can train with to learn animal-assisted therapy?
• a constant companion for your favorite senior citizen?
• a fuzzy face to greet you after a hard day at work?

An adopted dog can be all these things--and so much more!

From a health perspective, researchers have found that dogs can improve your physical and mental wellbeing. There is strong evidence to suggest that dog owners have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and are less likely to have minor and serious health problems.

Adopting a Dog

If you’ve already decided that a dog is right for you, the next question is where to find the perfect canine companion?

Adopting from a local animal shelter or rescue group is a great option. Here’s why:

• You’ll be giving a dog a second chance--or even saving a life.
• An estimated 3.7 million animals are euthanized in animal shelters every year, and you’ll be doing your part to address the tragic problem of pet overpopulation.
• Shelters and rescue groups offer a wide variety of purebreds, mixed breeds, and dogs of all sizes, making it easy to find the perfect dog for you.

One way to find a dog available for adoption is through Petfinder.com a nationwide database of local adoption shelters with pictures and profiles of available pets. Of course you’ll want to meet any potential pooch in person but searching online can help narrow the field. If you prefer a particular breed that isn’t currently available at a shelter, you can find breed-specific rescue groups with available dogs. These groups can be found online as well.

If you’re not quite sure that you are ready to add a furry friend to your household, or you just want to learn more about pet adoption, visit Petfinder.com.  They have a wealth of information about pet adoption and care.

Sources:

American Humane Association

Pet Finder