October
October is becoming known as Adoptober, encouraging more people to look into adopting an animal instead of buying. This month’s blog we will be looking at the importance of adopting a dog.
We all love puppies and the loving, wholesome nature they have although adopting a rescue dog is giving a dog a second chance and all types of animals can end up in a rescue through no fault of their own.
Dogs can be seized or surrendered for numerous reasons which can be due to reports from neighbours or passers by of poor animal welfare, owners no longer wanting their pet, or they were surrendered as the family could no longer afford them. We support numerous rescues across the whole of the UK including Almost home Rescue, Appledown Rescue (staffies and Strays),German Shepherd Rescue, Hope Rescue and Wood Green Animal Rescue, we have seen firsthand the effect of the abandoned dogs and the cost for the Rescues to give them the veterinary care and support they need.
When we are ready for a new mobile phone or laptop we can spend weeks of research and take our time looking for the right one that meets our needs. Although when it comes to finding the best dog to join our families we don’t seem to give the time to fully research the breed, breeder or seller. The RSPCA puppy reported an increase in calls stating 87% of the calls were about puppies that had been bought online. If we completed intense research before buying a puppy to sad calls which the RSPCA deal with would drop.
Adopting a rescue dog gives them a second chance of love and a family. The possibility a dog has come from a loving home is slim, sadly many of the dogs for adoption can come from a home where they were neglected or abandoned. In these situations, the animals are removed by the local authority and or RSPCA and some unfortunately found dumped their first stop is with the rescues, who then support with their wellbeing and veterinary treatment needed, prior to finding them a new family.
When looking at adopting a dog there are so many Rescues to choose from, all these rescues have the dogs wellbeing a priority. We speak with many rescues spoken with a few rescues which you can find on our website https://justiceforreggie.squarespace.com/rescue-charities check out the link and see for yourselves. When it comes to adopting a dog, it doesn’t cost as much as buying a puppy and the money you spend on adopting goes to the rescue you are adopting from which covers veterinary costs, food, bedding and toys.
Adopting from a breed specific rescue ensures you will receive breed specific information of the dog you are looking to adopt. The rescue will be able to talk about the different needs and health issues of the breed they work with and what you may need to do within your home to ensure it is suitable for your new pet. When adopting a dog, it always seems like a drawn-out process, but this is to make sure the dog you will be adopting is suited to you, your family and your lifestyle.
All animal rescues work tirelessly all year round to support the care the animals need. We have spent the day Hope Rescue and have worked alongside them during their daily duties, each member of the team shone commitment to the wellbeing of each and every animal in their care.
Some rescues are criticised for not allowing families to adopt. This is to take in to account the needs of the animal and any potential risks if children of a certain age are in the home; the rescues assess each and every animal for re-homing. They can not allow for a dog to be adopted into a family where there could be issues and the dog returned or if there would be a chance of the animal not being welcoming of children. This won’t help the dog and could make it feel more scared or nervous.
Not all dogs that are in rescues are elderly; there are high numbers of younger dogs/puppies, therefore you could quite easily adapt a puppy from a rescue. During the pandemic many families looked at buying a puppy from an online selling platform, and not realising the needs of the puppy, following on from that we now have the cost of living which has seen prices rocketing, therefore, seeing the price of puppy/dog food also rising along with utility bills and putting a strain on finances, with many owners contemplating surrendering their dogs to a rescue, these dogs will be placed in a rescue now due to no fault of their own and now looking for a forever home.
Adopting a dog means unconditional love, they will forever love you and show in their unique way how grateful they are to you for opening your home and your heart to them and giving them a second chance.