Since 1981, October has been National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, established by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, to encourage adoption and raise awareness about dogs in shelters across the United States.
Adopting a dog saves lives, provides companionship, supports local shelters, and helps society, especially in the NDB community. Dogs help relieve stress from schoolwork or sports, and they provide fun in times of tenseness or anxiety.
Dogs have many benefits for humans, including friendship, loyalty, and unconditional love. They encourage an active lifestyle through regular walks and playtime, which helps gain physical exercise. They also provide emotional assistance, helping with stress and sadness. These canines bring joy and happiness and are always there for companionship and support.
Dogs can benefit a community by bringing people together and encouraging social interactions. They help neighbors connect during walks or at parks, making it easier to build friendships. Service and therapy dogs also help those in need, improving mental health or providing guidance.
Muttville Volunteer and Foster Care Manager Caran Fisher has two adopted dogs. She talks about how a rescue dog makes her life better.
Fisher states, “I can sum up how a rescue dog makes my daily life better in two words: unconditional love. Rescue dogs don’t hold grudges; they don’t hold on to the past, they are grateful for the moment and for those who have saved them.”
Rescuing a canine also helps support and raise awareness for local shelters. These shelters provide vital care and shelter for animals and often rely on community support to continue their work. By adopting from a shelter, individuals contribute to its mission and help create more space for other animals awaiting rescue.
Choosing a rescue dog offers several benefits, including the fact that they often have a loving and grateful spirit, making them excellent companions. Many rescue dogs have already been trained and socialized by previous owners, making the transition smoother for new owners. Adopting a rescue dog can be a rewarding experience, providing a sense of fulfillment from giving a dog a second chance at a happy life.
Fisher says, “Dogs who have spent time in shelters or foster homes are often incredibly grateful for a stable and loving home. They are easy to adjust.”
Each rescue dog also has their own story that makes them unique. Fisher has a loving dog, Scruffy.
She says, “Scruffy has been around all types of people in his life, young, old, special needs. To watch him adjust to whomever he is around is truly remarkable. He is extra tolerant around the youngsters who might not be as gentle and extra kind and attentive to those who might move a little slower or need an extra kiss on the face.”
Fisher talks about her experience working at a dog shelter and emphasizes the impact of adopting a dog.
Fisher explains, “The most rewarding part of working at a dog rescue is witnessing the transformation of dogs who were once abandoned and neglected as they find loving homes and start fresh chapters in their lives. It is truly a new beginning.”
Adopting a dog saves a life by providing a second chance to those in shelters who may face an uncertain future. Many adoption centers try to create space for new animals in need, meaning that some dogs have a limited time to find a home. Saving a dog’s life through adoption is a meaningful act that can lead to a rewarding bond for both the pet and the owner.
