Mark your calendars, May 20th is National Rescue Dog Day! Rescuing a dog from your local shelter, or even fostering a dog makes a huge difference. In fact, there are more adoptable dogs in the shelter than people willing to adopt them.
Perks of adopting a dog
Thinking about adopting a dog? Here are some perks.
Improved mental health
Adopting a new furry friend will give you and your family a sense of purpose and companionship. Who doesn’t love coming home and being greeted by a grateful and excited pup! Owning a dog is proven to decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety including loneliness.
Gives a dog a second chance
You’re giving a shelter dog a second chance. According to the ASPCA, approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized each year. By adopting a dog, you are giving them the chance of experiencing a true loving home.
A reason to stay active
Adopting a dog is an excuse to stay active. Long walks are less strenuous on your dog’s body and gives them the opportunity to sniff around and engage with their environment. According to PetBacker, ‘Dog owners are 34% more likely to fit in 150 minutes of walking in a week compared to non-dog owners’. Yep, you read that right! The more you walk your dog, the more fit you are too.
Lower vet bills
Your dog will come home to you microchipped, updated on shots and spayed/neutered. Let’s be honest, vet bills can add up. Adopting a dog from a shelter ensures you that your dog will come to you in tip top shape. All rescues are required to keep their pup’s up to date on all vaccinations. A microchip on your new family member will also provide you a sense of security.
Where can i adopt a dog?
You can visit websites such as PetFinder.com to find adoptable dogs near you. When you create a Pet Finder profile, they have you answer a few short questions about your lifestyle. Once you answer the questions, they send you profiles of local dogs in shelters that best fit your lifestyle.
Don’t forget that your dog will still need some time transitioning to their new home! To help ease anxiety, check out Snuggle Puppy! Interested in learning more about Snuggle Puppy? Visit our website www.snugglepuppy.com and check out How Snuggle Puppy Can Help Your Older Dog.
