Man’s best friend is a hot commodity in today’s world. People breed them, sell them, buy them, and raise them. There are about 3.9 million dogs yearly that wind up in shelters across the United States, and about 29,000 are in Orange County alone. That is why adoption is so strongly encouraged.
There are many things to consider when you are looking to adopt a dog. You should review the ages of household members, who will be in charge of care, cost of care, and so on.
If a child is young, then puppies under 5 months or small breed dogs should not be considered. Puppies and small dogs have very sharp teeth which could cause accidental injury to the child. They are also much easier for the child to hurt. If you have an elderly person in your house then a small breed dog might be better suited for them.
Knowing who will take care of the dog will help to decide what type of dog to get. An elderly dog or a puppy requires more attention than a trained adult dog. Children should not be the sole care providers either as their attention span is not quite mature enough for that type of responsibility.
There are many costs to be observed when caring for a dog. There is veterinary care, food, grooming, toys, and various other supplies. All that doesn’t include pet emergencies, medications, and so on. Be sure that you will be able to provide for your dog from beginning to end.
If after reflection you decide that adopting a dog is for you then there are some basic things that you need to do to prepare.
First you have to buy the supplies to take care of them. There is food, bowls, leash, collar, bedding, and ID tags. If you decide to use training pads, dog houses, and so on you will need to get these as well.
Be prepared for an adjustment period. Once you and your new dog get better acquainted you can better train them to a new schedule and rules.
Be sure that you have a veterinarian lined up to care for your dog once they go home with you. It is important to make an appointment soon after adopting the dog so that they can be checked for illness, and given any shots that they need.
Whether you are in Orange County, or elsewhere in the world, please consider adoption before purchase, and be certain that having a dog is the right choice for you and your family!