Rescue vs. Buy
When you decide to get a new dog, the question is: do you adopt from a rescue or buy a puppy? First of all, there is no wrong answer. There can be a lot of pressure to adopt for good reason – there are so many dogs that need a home. But there are plenty of reputable breeders out there. If you’re looking for a certain breed or specific traits, a breeder can be a great option.
Adopting a dog from a rescue saves a life. There are more adoptable dogs than people to adopt them. Here in Minnesota, many of the dogs adoptable at local rescues are from the southern part of the country. The culture in some states puts less emphasis on the importance of spaying and neutering and more dogs live outside, so there becomes a surplus of shelter dogs. Kill shelters are much more prevalent as a result, but an alternative to euthanizing those dogs is transferring them to states where they are more likely to get adopted.
An advantage of adopting a dog besides saving a life is that you have the option of taking in a mature dog. For some households, it is much easier to start off with a dog that is already potty trained, for example, or a dog that they know will get along with other pets. This information is usually made available by the dog’s foster.
It is almost always less expensive to adopt a dog than to buy one. It’s not free through a rescue since they have costs to cover, but it is affordable for most families that are ready for a new dog.
Some disadvantages of rescuing a dog include potential behavioral issues and the sometimes disappointing process of adopting. When you get a dog who has a past with previous owners, he might have some quirks that are out of your control. Many rescue dogs require extra love and attention to overcome their previous lifestyles. They may need training, so rescues are best suited for experienced dog owners or people willing to get outside help.
Dog rescue organizations are non-profits and are staffed by volunteers. They offer a wonderful service to pets and pet lovers. A huge part of their job is making sure that the pets under their care end up with competent owners. Sometimes that means you could fall in love with a dog and then not get approved to adopt it. It is also common for more than one family to fall in love with the same dog. When that happens, someone is bound to be disappointed. So the adoption process isn’t always fast or easy, but in the end it is very fulfilling.
Buying a puppy from a pet store or a dog breeder is a great option for certain dog lovers. If you’re set on a specific breed or you want a dog that was bred for a skillset, a reputable breeder can help you get the perfect puppy. A familiar example of this is a hunting dog. If you want a Spaniel whose parents are proven pheasant retrievers and whose personality is family-friendly, there are many reputable breeders in the Midwest. You can find the right puppy and then raise it from the beginning to be a hunter and a family member.
When it comes to breeders, and especially pet stores, it’s important to do your research. Around the country, and even here in Minnesota, there are known puppy mills. These places use and abuse dogs to make money by breeding puppies in horrible conditions. Adult dogs are forced to breed in inhumane conditions, and the puppies are not always the healthiest due to old or overbred parents. Before you purchase a puppy, it’s important to find out where it comes from.
If you do your due diligence before you add a dog to your family, you can do so through a rescue, a breeder or a pet store. Just consider all the options to figure out which one is right for you.