International Dog Day: Adopt, Don't Shop!

Today is International Dog Day. Dogs are the most pure and sweetest creatures of this planet, in my opinion. I have three dogs at my parents’ house that I love with all my heart. If you have your own dog already, I’m sure you love them just as much as I do! But if you don’t have a dog and are considering getting one, or know you will get one in the future, even if it’s not right away, I’m here to tell you why you should adopt, and not shop, for your future companion:

• There are so many dogs in need of a home in shelters. There is no need to be searching online for that specific breed of puppy when there are dogs that are at risk of being put down.
• Adoption fees are just as much, and in many instances cheaper, than buying a dog from a breeder.
• There are so many dogs that come into shelters—chances are that if you wait for the right time the breed that you are looking for will probably end up in a shelter.
• If you specifically want a puppy, shelters also get lots of puppies—they just normally go to homes faster.
• If you adopt a dog from a shelter, chances are that it already has some training and you probably won’t have to worry about potty training.
• May I suggest adopting an older dog that is in need of a good home while they live out their last few years? They deserve a loving home just as much as any puppy does!
• When adopting a dog from a shelter, your money goes back into the shelter to help take care of costs for food and vet fees for other animals that may come in.

If you are interested in adopting a dog, or want to look at some of the dogs available for adoption, check out the Edmonton Humane Society webpage, Zoes Animal Rescue Society, Second Chance Animal Rescue Society (SCARS), or Infinite Woofs Animal Rescue Society. These are just a few adoption shelters in Edmonton, but there are many dogs in need of a home. So on that note, remember to take some time to give some extra love to your dogs on International Dog Day.

Happy International Dog Day everyone, and remember: adopt, don’t shop!
Lindsay