Category Archives: Adopt Don’t Shop

Adopting Your First Family Dog? Here’s What You Need To Know

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Adopting a dog for the first time is no simple decision. From selecting the appropriate breed to contemplating the right pet care, introducing a puppy to your family takes a lot of time and research. 

If you’re entirely new to pet parenthood, below are just a few things you should know when adopting your first dog.  

 

Breed Matters A Little

Whether adopting a dog from a shelter or a reputable breeder, selecting the type of dog you want is more than an aesthetic choice. The right puppy should complement your temperament as an owner and thrive in the space you have. 

For instance, if you have younger children, you’ll want to bring home a loyal, patient, and friendly dog. On the other hand, frequent travelers will want to consider a dog they can take with them on everyday adventures. 

When adopting from a shelter, discuss each dog’s personality with a volunteer and what you can expect when assimilating one into your home.  

 

Adopting a Dog Isn’t Cheap

Introducing a dog to your family is an undeniable investment. Between shopping for the appropriate supplies and taking your dog in for regular veterinary check-ups, maintaining a pet doesn’t come cheap. 

Before adopting a dog, consider how much room you can make in your regular budget. Yearly expenses will include kibble, veterinary visits, dog accessories, grooming, and more. 

While it may be tempting to take shortcuts to cut costs, your dog deserves the best—ensure that you are financially capable of caring for them.  

 

You’ll Need to Puppy-Proof Your Home

Dog-proofing your home is beneficial to both you and your puppy. Newly adopted dogs can engage in destructive behaviors such as teething, scratching, and running. 

Keep your dogs and your belongings safe by: 

  • Designating areas in your home where your dog can roam doing so prevents them from getting into hands-off spaces
  • Putting away hazards such as electrical cords or fragile items
  • Using pet-friendly cleaners that don’t contain harmful chemicals
  • Avoiding decorating with indoor plants
  • Locking cabinets and drawers that your dog can quickly get into otherwise 

 

Choosing the Right Vet Makes a Difference

When shopping for the right veterinarian, it can be tempting to select one based on proximity and affordability. While these are vital factors in your decision-making process, you’ll want to prioritize a veterinarian with verifiable credentials and a good track record. 

Create a shortlist of veterinarians in your area and do sufficient research. Read up on online reviews and consider how they respond to any negative feedback. 

When visiting your chosen vet for the first time, ensure that your dog’s paperwork is complete. 

 

It’s a Lifelong Commitment

Adopting a dog isn’t a decision you can make on a whim. When you become a pet parent, you are responsible for your dog’s welfare, health, and happiness. 

Before you adopt a dog, consider how ready you are. Have you done enough research? Are you mentally and financially prepared to handle potential emergencies? 

Take the time to consider whether adopting a dog is a decision you can maintain. After all, you’ll be in it for the long run! 

 

The Bottom Line

Adopting a puppy takes considerable preparation and commitment. If you feel you’re ready to care for a dog, find out how to take one home responsibly. 

 

About the Author

Mike is a long-time pet owner and the founder of Dog Embassy. Through this initiative, he hopes to share tips on pet care, nutrition, and more!  

The Pet Effect and Why You Should Consider Rescuing a Pet

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Although not extensive, the research into the effects of the bond developed between humans and animals has shown that interacting with a pet has amazing effects on our lives. This is what some call the pet effect.

So, if you’ve been contemplating the idea of adopting a pet, this list of mental and physical benefits that being a pet owner comes with might be just the incentive that you need to take the plunge and welcome a new fluffy companion into your life.

They keep you fit
When you are the proud owner of a pet that likes to play around, chances are that you will also become more physically active. For instance, if you are a dog owner, you will get to exercise whenever you take your pet for a walk or to the park.

Plus, if you need a buddy to jog along, a dog is just the right type of companion! Because they love to be around their owners and because they love keeping active, dogs are the best running buddies you could wish for.

Lower stress levels
If you already are a pet owner, you are probably well acquainted with that feeling of happiness and relief that you feel when you get home to your fluffy friend. According to scientists, petting a pet or simply being in the same room as it can help you lower the levels of cortisol in your body.

As a result, you are less likely to feel depressed or anxious. Besides, pets also help their owners regulate their blood pressure. However, not only pets such as cats and dogs can have this calming effect on you.

A study carried out in 2015 showed that watching the fish in an aquarium can also help you relieve some of the stress that you build up during the day. If you are interested in getting a fish, take a close look at the fish bowls reviewed by drfoxmag.com. Keeping fish doesn’t have to be high maintenance or time consuming, thankfully these days there are plenty of gadgets to do the work for you. In times gone buy keeping the tank clean was a constant chore, but now getting a uv sterilizer aquarium is an extremely low maintenance way to keep your fish healthy and cleaning to a minimum.

You socialize more
Because the pet owner community is so friendly and large, becoming a pet parent means that you will get the chance to make new friends both online and in real life.

If you need any advice regarding topics such as how to feed your pet, what vet to visit in your city or what training courses to sign up for, chances are that you will be able to find numerous helpful pet owners in your area that are willing to help you out.

So, if you are not particularly great at small talk, as a pet owner you can learn how to develop your socializing skills.

Be patient
Because they are loving bundles of joy, pets are great companions. Once the pet that you have decided to adopt starts to trust you, you will feel inundated with all the love that it has to offer. However, before you get to that stage, it is important to remember that, just like humans do, pets might need some time to get acquainted with their new surroundings.

During this period, you should give your new pet the time that it might need to get familiarized with you and your loved ones. Once everything settles down, you will surely feel like a close family!

Benefits Of Adopting A Rescue Dog

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The responsibility and commitment required when looking after a dog are worth it because this role allows you to enjoy countless benefits. Having a dog can improve your heart health, keep you fit and active, help you lose weight, improve your social life, and add purpose to your life.

If you think you’re ready for all the demands of being a dog owner, choose to adopt a rescue dog. Often accessed through rescue organizations and shelters, rescue dogs have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by their previous owners. These dogs might have been hurt in the past, but this doesn’t mean that they can’t be good pets once you adopt them.

Adopting a rescue dog might be unconventional and risky for some, but taking this direction can actually provide the following benefits:

  1. You’ll Save Money And Still Get A Fully Screened Dog

Being a dog owner will not only require time and effort; this responsibility also requires additional expense from your pocket. This is especially true if you’re planning to adopt a puppy. The younger the dog is, the more vaccines and shots they should have.

Aside from using a reputable website, such as https://petsumer.com, to help you care for your dog without spending a lot of money, adopting a rescue dog can also help you achieve the same. Dogs from rescue organizations and shelters are already vaccinated and neutered or spayed. Some of these dogs have even gone through behavioral training as well.

Adopting rescue dogs can help you save money as you no longer have to pay for their vaccines and shots. Adoption fees for rescue dogs are also cheaper compared to when buying from a breeder.

 

  1. You’ll Take A Stand Against Puppy Mills

You actually have other ways on how you can get a dog. Depending on your budget, you can choose to buy a dog from a physical store or an online platform. Although convenient, the dogs sold from these platforms are actually from puppy mills.

Puppy mills are commercial breeding facilities wherein dogs are kept solely for profit. Canines from puppy mills often live in inhumane environments. They are kept in cramped and unsanitary cages, and the female ones are bred as often as possible.

If you want to stop puppy mills from operating, adopt a rescue dog. If these businesses no longer generate profit, it won’t be long before they will stop their unethical breeding practices and permanently shut down.

  1. You Can Take Your Pick

First-time dog owners will usually have an idea of the type of breed they would want to have. While some want to own a small dog, others are looking for huge and fluffy dogs. Some pet owners will look for breeds that are easy to train and can safely play with kids.

You can choose from a wide variety of breeds once you opt to adopt a rescue puppy. Contrary to popular belief, rescue organizations and shelters have many breed-specific rescues. These facilities may offer a German Shepard, Golden Retriever, and even a Siberian Husky for adoption.

If you’re not looking for any specific breed, don’t worry as these facilities also offer many unique and beautiful dog breed mixes. Choosing to adopt these kinds of dogs will surely make your experience as a dog owner worthwhile because you’ll get to own a one-of-a-kind dog.

You can even look for a dog that has a special trait, such as spots all over the body or a curvy tail. You’ll have a wide variety of options when you choose to adopt a rescue dog!

  1. You’ll Save A Dog’s Life

The lives of the dogs aren’t always guaranteed after they have been rescued from abusive and irresponsible pet owners. These dogs will be kept in rescue organizations and shelters, but for a limited time only. These facilities have to make room for new rescue dogs by euthanizing the previous rescue dogs.

By choosing to adopt a rescue dog, you can save another pooch’s life from euthanasia. Picking a dog from a rescue organization and shelter means that the dog will live longer under another pet owner’s care.

Prepare Properly

Adopting a rescue dog can benefit you and the pet. But, before you decide to visit a rescue organization or shelter to pick your next best friend, make sure that you know what you’re looking for. Do you want to own a dog that likes to stay at home or one that requires a lot of physical activities during the day?  It’s important to adopt a dog that suits your lifestyle.

Moreover, when visiting rescue organizations or shelters, look for friendly dogs. These dogs usually wag their tails and press themselves in front of the kennel so they can get close to you. You can also ask a trainer to come along so they can help you choose the best rescue dog.

Adopt Your Next Dog and Save a Life

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There are many ways to bring a furry friend into your home. Dogs come in all shapes, sizes, colors, ages, genders, and breeds. Many people who buy from breeders or pet stores are not aware of some important facts. Here are some reasons why you should adopt instead.Adopt a Dog and Save a Life

Buying a dog from a breeder or pet store typically comes at a higher cost. Breeders and pet stores make money off dogs. The more dogs they sell, the more profitable they become. When you adopt a dog, there is usually a fee, but it is typically lower than what a breeder charges. Adoption fees go towards medical care, training, toys, and food. Rescues are in it for the dogs, not the money.

You might think a pet store is a safer bet. Did you know that many pet stores get their dogs from breeders and puppy mills? While they may be purebred, they are probably inbred too. This means they could have physical and mental health issues that are associated with inbreeding. The mothers of these puppies are mothers to numerous litters. Their sole job is to reproduce. Once they are unable to do their job, they are discarded like trash.

Adopt a Dog and Save a LifeBecause breeders and pet stores want to please the buyer, they have many dogs available. However, many will have more dogs than their property size allows. Dogs will not have the proper space to move around, ability to socialize with other dogs, or the proper care and treatment. With the many dogs that breeders and pet stores have, it is impossible to track the well-being of the dog. Did they all get their shots? Did they all eat their meals? Are they all being taken care of properly? Have they exercised or even been outside today?

Breeders have been known to end a dog’s life for many reasons. If a breeder has too many dogs, they may end a dog’s life for space. If a dog is not adoptable, they may end a dog’s life. If a dog is past the cute or adoptable age, they may end a dog’s life. Shelters do not have the space to keep every dog that enters their facility. Rescues help to alleviate space by making room for more dogs. When you adopt, it helps to make more space for loving dogs who need homes.

There are many dogs already out there that need homes. Why should we keep breeders and pet stores in business? Some of these dogs just need a little love and TLC in order to be active members of our families. That is where PA Dog Rescue comes in. We start the TLC process to make shelter dogs better adapted to living in a home.

Many rescue dogs are typically no longer puppies. Although puppies are cute, they take a lot of time that many families do not have. Many rescued dogs are already house broken, know some commands, and are used to living in a home. Rescue dogs are some of the most affectionate and loyal animals. They may have never known a life of love and appreciation. When you give it to them, they will love you forever!

Why should you adopt a rescue dog instead of buying from a breeder or pet store? You save a dog’s life! Pure and simple.