Want to get that puppy you’ve always dreamed of? With offices closed, travel disrupted and many of us spending more time at home than ever, it’s not surprising lots of people have been tempted to get a pet.
If you’re among those who’ve decided the time is right to welcome a puppy into the family, and you’ve taken all of the responsibilities of dog ownership into consideration, you might have already started looking at local breeders.
But the question of buying new puppies is a common debate amongst dog lovers, especially when there are so many healthy rescue dogs patiently waiting to find their forever home.
Sure, those super-cute new breeds might look ultra fluffy and adorable on your Instagram feed, but could it be worth considering adopting a dog instead?
Here, we’ve shared just a few reasons why rescuing a dog might be the most rewarding thing you do this year…
1. You will be saving a life
Adopting a rescue means you’re giving an animal the second chance they deserve at finding a loving forever home.
2. It’s often a lot cheaper
So-called ‘designer dogs’ have always been expensive, but the price of puppies has more than doubled during lockdown.
According to Pets4Home, dogs on their website now cost almost £1,900 (€2,100) on average. The website says some popular breeds have seen puppies selling for £3,000 (€3,300) or more.
Rescue dogs are generally a much cheaper option. Usually when you adopt a pet, the cost of neutering, vaccinations and microchipping is included in the adoption price, which can save you some of the up-front costs too.
3. They’re often already trained
One of the most tricky things about getting a new puppy is things like toilet training. There are often many exasperating weeks of cleaning accidents off the carpet and carrying around puppy pads wherever you go.
Shelter animals have often already been housetrained, especially if they’re older. Plus they’re often also trained to walk on a lead, which can make life a lot simpler if you’re not familiar with training an animal.
4. Your money is supporting a charity and helping other rescues
Illegal puppy farming is all about making profit. Often, these farms will force dogs to breed several times, and the puppies might also be kept in unsanitary conditions too.
PDSA says puppies bought from puppy farms are more likely to encounter health complications and have long-term problems with their behaviour later in life. The charity also notes that it can sometimes be difficult to tell if you’re buying from a puppy farm, so you may not know if you’re funding the practice.
Adopting a dog from a rescue charity means you can be sure your money is helping to support other animals in need.
5. It could make you happier
Getting a much longed-for dog is a truly exciting event, but adopting an animal that is desperately seeking a home could make you even happier.
Research has found that dog adoption isn’t a totally selfless act, as being kind to others causes a significant improvement in our subjective wellbeing. A study by the University of Oxford found that targeted kindness can have a positive effect on our overall wellbeing.
Knowing you’ve rescued a dog from an uncertain future or a troubling past can be an incredibly uplifting feeling.
6. You could end up with a totally unique breed you never expected
Sure, everyone has a cockapoo or sausage dog these days, but what about a mix you’ve never heard of? Adopting a pet leaves you open to exploring other breeds. Although you may have an idea of what you are looking for, there’s a wide variety of dogs waiting to be adopted from shelters.
When you’re rescuing a dog, you’re often left to base your decision on personality rather than just how a dog looks, which is ultimately better for everyone, as it will lead you to the perfect companion for you and your lifestyle.
7. They deserve a forever home too
Lots of dogs who are up for adoption have had traumatic starts to their lives, and just want to find a forever family with a loving home.
Taking the time to earn a rescue dog’s trust can be challenging at first, but over time, they’ll show you tonnes of love and loyalty for giving them a second chance of happiness.
