If you plan to get a Poodle (or any other animal breed for the matter), you usually have two choices: Purchase from reputable breeders or adopt rescue dogs.
Adoption is a personal decision, with many people having prejudices against animal rescues. Some would purchase from a breeder to get an exact breed, or want puppies rather than older dogs.
However, you can reap many animal rescue pros, starting from how you can give a dog a new and healthy life! That said, there are still certain things to keep in mind before you make your final decision.
The Pros of Adoption
Here are good things to keep in mind when it comes to the adoption of rescue pets:
It’s more affordable.
Getting a dog is quite pricey, significantly if you’re investing in a purebred dog! Don’t forget the additional cost of food, veterinary care, pet supplies, and the like.
That can drive up your expenses, even in the long run. The starting cost of a purebred puppy alone may not sit well with your wallet.
When you adopt dogs in animal shelters, you don’t only get to save a life, but you’ll save a lot of money. Paying an adoption fee is way less expensive than paying for a purebred dog from a reputable breeder upfront.
On average, adoption fees go around $50 to $150, depending on your location. There would be other expenses to consider, such as initial vaccinations, pet licenses, and microchipping, which cost less than $200. You might have to pay for the spay or neuter process, though these are usually already part of the adoption fee.
Add that up, including the pet supplies you’ll need to get when bringing your new dog home, and it can cost less than $1,000. A new puppy from the breeder expenses that much, not including vet care pet supplies, among other costs.
There are many options to choose from
Getting a puppy has its many advantages, but they require a lot of energy and attention! For those who prefer older dogs, then you can find many in your local animal shelters.
Many people don’t usually adopt older dogs, thinking they aren’t as cute as younger ones. However, older dogs are the optimum choice because they are calmer. Moreover, you won’t need to spend too much time with behavioral training from scratch.
But even if you decide to get a puppy, animal shelters have many options! You can find purebred or mixed breed dogs of all ages and sizes. Because the animal shelter volunteers spend time with the dogs and have an idea of what they are like, they can help you choose which dog best suits your household and lifestyle.
Plus, you can find all sorts of animals, including cats! That way, you can choose the animal companion you feel will brighten your home.
You get to save a life.
Adopting dogs in shelters will open your eyes to the problems behind animal neglect, pet overpopulation, and abandonment. You don’t only save money from adopting from animal shelters; you will save a life!
While responsible shelters try to keep their animals comfortable as long as possible, the shelter population and vet bills continue to rise. Unfortunately, to make room for more stray animals, they will need to euthanize animals that no one chooses to adopt. Furthermore, many of these shelter dogs won’t feel like they are in a safe space as they don’t have an actual family to spend most of their time with throughout the day.
That’s why the adoption process is a fulfilling and satisfying one. When you get to bring home your newly-adopted dog, you’ll get a companion animal who will love you for life.
And if you want to continue saving lives, consider becoming animal foster parents! Foster parents would rehome animal rescues temporarily until they find a forever home. While you’ll need to prepare emotionally, you’ll find that there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing the dogs you cared for go to a loving family. Plus, it will give you more time and space to foster and rescue more dogs!
The Cons of Adoption
While adoption is a satisfying choice, it has its caveats and isn’t for everyone. Here are the things to note before deciding to adopt:
Loneliness
Shelter animals would live in close quarters, with some sleeping together in one cage next to each other. If you only adopt one dog, then expect some level of anxiety during the first few weeks or months.
You’ll need to spend more time with your newly-adopted pet, reassuring that it’s in a safe, loving space. It takes time and patience before your pet will know it’s safe, and fortunately, there are ways to lessen the lonely feeling.
Your dog may act fearful or introverted, so be patient, giving it a safe space and more time so it can get used to the new home.
If your new dog gets along with other dogs, you can start the socialization process. Walk outdoors and make new friends with people and other dogs in the nearby dog park.
Also, introduce your dog to family and friends after settling into the new home after a few weeks. It can help with basic training and your dog’s quality of life.
But again, this will all take time – after all, your new dog came from living with a pack of other animals it loves. Worse, some dogs were abandoned by their former owners or had abusive backgrounds.
Another thing you can do is to stay consistent with your routine and give your dog rewards. When leaving, give your dog a treat or comfort toy to keep its mind out of feeling lonely.
Potentially Possessive Behavior
Shelter animals used to share their food and living resources with others, so your new dog may develop possessive habits around toys or food. Some pet owners report that their newly-adopted dogs would eat food and scraps on the floor as if they’d never eat again!
Fortunately, these bad habits will wear off if not reinforced. Wait it out, and your dog would realize it will always have enough toys and food to enjoy on its own. However, if any aggressive or possessive behavior continues, you’ll need to train your dog or take it to a trained professional. Never use any punishment methods because it won’t do you or the dog any good. It might even worsen your dog’s behavior in the long run.
No Clear Breed
While you can find purebred dogs in shelters, it’s rare. And if you do find purebred dogs, they have more chances of finding a forever family than other older or mixed breed dogs.
Unfortunately, potential pet owners won’t get the reassurance of shelter dogs’ origins. It’s impossible to tell what breed most shelter dogs come from, even if you’re an expert. Besides that, you’re most likely going to see older dogs than puppies.
So, if you have certain breeds in mind and prioritize age and looks, we don’t recommend adopting a dog. After all, nobody wants to see people only go to the shelter to see purebred dogs!
It takes time
With all that in mind, remember that there would be a bit of background checking and screening before you can adopt your chosen dog. You might even “compete” with other people who are eyeing the same dog you plan to adopt!
Yes, there’s a chance you’ll be rejected for adoption if you don’t meet the shelter’s requirements. That’s why you need to prepare for the screening process and see that you pass all the requirements before you apply.
If you couldn’t adopt your chosen dog, don’t lose hope! Many other dogs are waiting for their forever home.
Should You Adopt?
Now that you’re aware of the pros and cons that adoption offers, the choice is up to you. There aren’t wrong or right answers since it will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
If you’re on a budget and want to save a life, we recommend pet adoption. There may be a few obstacles, and you’ll need to put more commitment of time and effort, but it’s worth seeing a happy pet!
But for those who already have a breed in mind and prefer owning a puppy, then it’s best to purchase a puppy. Just make sure you avoid backyard breeders and conduct a thorough research about the breed you plan to get.