RESCUE DOG

The most important thing on my list when considering adopting a dog is that it's a rescue! I don't believe in supporting puppy mills and over-breeding by shopping at pet stores with overpriced puppies that will likely have multiple health issues due to the breeding that takes place. Overall, there are plenty of dogs lined up to die that are sitting in shelters waiting to be adopted. It's the cold hard sad truth. Plus, every time you adopt from a shelter or animal rescue, another spot opens up for an animal on the kill list. Another exciting fact about dog adoption is that it's usually pretty cheap! For instance, Atlanta Humane Society prices right now are $100 for a dog over 6 months and $175 for a puppy under 6 months. The best part is... it includes everything! The dog comes microchipped, spayed/neutered, up to date on shots, a wellness exam is included, and even a small bag of food! Personally, I think that makes it all worth it if you weren't convinced already. The wellness exam alone can run around $150.

Another thing people use as an excuse to buy instead of adopt is that they don't know everything about where a dog came from or what the dogs tendencies will be. This is the very opposite of what the case may be. Usually you have a pretty good idea of what the dog is mixed with and, more-so, people get to know these shelter dogs! Most of the time they know if they're good with kids, if they're potty trained, if they enjoy love or want to be left alone, energy level... the list goes on! That's a lot more than you can say about a puppy that sits in a glass case all day.

There's just something about a shelter dog and the story that comes with them as you give them a lifelong home. Do you agree? Share your story!