There are many myths and misconceptions about animals in shelters which prevent people from adopting them. Before going to the breeder or pet store, you should definitely give a chance to shelter. Sometimes, i get really surprised about people saying how shelter dogs are not good to adopt Now i am going to tell you top five myths about shelter dogs which will help you to understand the reality :-
1. ALL OF THE PETS IN ANIMAL SHELTERS HAVE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEM :-
So, this myths comes from the very common misunderstandings about how how dogs end up in shelters in the first place. People think that they end up in shelters because they were seized in public raids, they were abandoned or they they were aggressive, so they will be more likely to run away or they will have spontaneous feelings because of how they treated before. But in reality, one of the main reason that they end up in shelters is because they were just given up by their respective owners and seriously, this has nothing to do with the dogs’ behavior. A lot of owners gives up their pet because they cannot afford them anymore or maybe because an opportunity forced them to move into another place where dogs aren’t allowed. Sometimes, people get bored with their dogs so this is also the reason of dogs ending up in shelter. Also, when expectations and reality do not meet, a dog end up in shelter, i mean, when that adorable little puppy grew into an energetic, large living in an small apartment or that lap adorable puppy become so dominant or uncontrollable as its adorableness earned nothing but only affection and not enough training.
You need to understand that most of the dogs have really nothing to do with behavior or personality of the dog, however they might have some minor behavioral issues but it can be treated with proper training, care and affection. The only thing which is very dog in them is that they live in a shelter but not with loving families.
2. YOU WILL NEVER KNOW THEIR HISTORY :-
However this one is true but it is not that bad as a shelter dog will never know their own history especially not when you brought him to a home with a loving family. Dogs do not live in past and we should not either. At some shelters, you might get some information about them but that is not a good thing as, again, humans like to live in past. You should adopt a dog that has been abused by children, rescued from a dog – fighting ring, thrown out of a car by owners, or whatever dreadful situation you can imagine. If you will constantly dwell on dog’s part then it might be a problem, remember that dogs can forget all about it once it is not happening again and then you can actually help them to forget by not triggering anything which will resemble that trauma.
3. PUREBREDS ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND AT ANIMAL SHELTERS :-
Well you can find purebred dogs in shelters however it might be difficult to find but not impossible. According to a report, 25 % of animals are purebred in rescue groups or shelters.
4. SHELTER PETS ARE SICKLY :-
Shelter pets are not invincible when it comes to sickness but to be honest, but neither are pets bought from breeders or pet stores . Shelters can’t guarantee the long term health of an animal nor can pet stores. But most of the animals in shelters are quite healthy and have been already vaccinated. Also, they are checked regularly by veterinarians. Even if some animals have any medical problems then the shelter will definitely tell you about them.
5. THEY ARE TOO OLD :-
Adopting a puppy may be a good idea as you will get to raise puppy to adulthood, however, often people focus on the cute part only and they usually forget the reality behind raising a puppy. It can be as difficult and intense as raising a child. However, it only takes a year or two, to raise a puppy as compared to eighteen years for children but that a year or two will very difficult, they will chew up things and peed on it, showing their energy by running in your house, training him etc. If you do not have much time to spend on training then adopting a dog of one or two years will be ideal. Usually, they come with useful features already installed – they know some tricks, housebroken, they are used to people, even if they have any behavioral issues, you can fix them easily. Senior dogs who are 7 years of age or above, they can be an ideal pet for old people and also who do not want to commit up to fifteen years but still wanting a companion.