Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

Every day more dogs are born into this world than there are people available to adopt them.  Every day thousands of dogs are euthanized because there are no responsible and loving homes for them.  October is the American Humane Association's Adopt-a-Dog Month.

Over the years, almost every dog I have owned has been either adopted through a shelter or been 'dumped' at my door step by some irresponsible person.  These dogs have been a delight to me.  My most favorite was Sophie, a female Rottweiler that my girls and I adopted from the Fort Scott Animal Shelter.  I lost Sophie a few years ago to bone cancer.  I miss her still.  She was great with my children and my grandchildren and a true faithful companion.

Why adopt a shelter dog?  First and foremost is that you will save a life.  Between 3-4 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year in the United States simply because too many people give up their pets and too few people adopt from shelters.  There is limited space at shelters and many are euthanized for the lack of a home.

The initial cost is usually less than buying a purebred.  Many purebred pets cost hundreds of dollars.  Many shelters also have already vaccinated, spayed and neutered the animals in their shelter.  This again will save on some of your initial expenses.

From my point of view as a veterinarian, mixed breed dogs are often healthier with fewer inheritable disorders; this is due to hybrid vigor.  Many purebred dogs have inherited disorders such as hip dysplasia and allergies that lead to life long veterinary expenses.  This is not to imply that mixed breed dogs will never have any health issues, but I do see fewer of them.

My final notes on adopting a shelter pet.  When choosing a shelter be sure to pick one that practices good animal husbandry.  Do they vaccinate their inmates?  Are they well provided for?  Do they keep records for each pet?  Do they attempt to keep previous history records for the pet (i.e., previous owners, good with kids, housebroke, likes to play ball, behavioral issues?)  Do they spay and neuter at the shelter or offer financial assistance for your having this done?  Do they have a "if the pet doesn't work out for you return policy".  This policy is especially important if you are adopting an adult pet.  Sometimes a pet may not adjust well to its new home or you find it does not fit your lifestyle; does the shelter allow you to return the pet within xxx amount of days after adoption?


Shelters have the animals' best interests at heart. Animal shelters are either government or private nonprofit agencies. Their primary mission is to find the best possible permanent homes that suit the individual animals they shelter.

Most shelters, but particularly those well staffed with volunteers, become familiar with the disposition of each animal. If an animal has lived with a family before, then its history and behavior are also known. This knowledge helps the staff make optimal matches between homes and pets and helps you in making Pet adoption decisions.

By adopting a shelter pet you save a life and help combat overpopulation,The simple fact is that there are many more animals needing adoption than there are homes for. So when you adopt from a shelter, you become part of the solution to the overpopulation crisis. You give a deserving animal a new home. You free up cage space for another animal needing to be adopted. And your money goes toward the shelter's education and spay/neuter programs, which help prevent more unwanted animals from being born