I didn’t realize this until I began working in the veterinary industry, and even earlier at my local shelter, there are a lot of myths about shelter dogs. I believe that increasing awareness around these myths, and providing people with alternative information can help increase pet adoptions!

In 2014, I wrote a blog post and review regarding the book, “Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover” by Denise Fleck, about this very topic. And today, I want to revisit this topic with our friends from Petcurean who are helping us debunk these myths.

Myth 1: Shelters only have mutts. There are no pure breeds available.

Fact 1: Shelters have their fair share of mutts – no doubt about that. But there are rescue dogs that are purebred. You might just need to have some patience and wait for one to be brought in. There are also rescue groups that are breed-specific, so if you really want a certain breed, you can look into adopting from one of those organizations.

In the shelters I worked in we had everything from Rottweilers to Alaskan Malamutes to Maltese’s in the shelter looking for good forever homes! I highly recommend reaching out to your local rescue group in addition to your local shelter (If you recall, we adopted Rooney from a Corgi specific group!). Additionally, share with them what you are looking for, smaller organizations often have a waiting list for pets, and their goal is to find the best home possible. They might not have the right pet for you right then and there, but you never know what the future will bring. For example, when we adopted Rooney, I had actually called about another dog, and then Rooney came to them the next day, and they thought he would be perfect for us. Spoiler Alert: He is!

Myth 2: Shelter animals have more health issues that will be costly for me to address.

Fact 2: Many shelters ensure pets that are adopted have seen a veterinarian and are given a clean bill of health before heading home with you. And if something is wrong, they will let you know ahead of time so there are no surprises – at least none that you could have potentially been aware of or predicted at the time of adoption.  In addition, many health issues are easily treatable so don’t dismiss a potentially great pet whose condition may be temporary or easily resolved – simply switching their food to a premium recipe like Petcurean’s GO! Solutions could make a world of difference. And there are many affordable pet insurance options that can help offset costs over the life of your pet. 

With advancements in veterinary medicine and the increased lifespan of most pets, it is likely that every pet will have some health issue at some point in their life. While switching food might be a helpful resource for your pet’s health, it is always a good idea to get pet insurance for any pet when you bring them home. Pet insurance is incredibly crucial for those times when all of the sudden you need to drop $1,000 because your dog slipped a disc in their back for example.

Myth 3: Shelters are full of old and/or ugly animals.

Fact 3: You can find dogs and cats of all ages at shelters! And there’s nothing wrong with taking home an adult dog or cat. Puppies and kittens are certainly cute, but they aren’t for everyone. They require lots of attention, training exercises and socialization to become well-behaved adults, and not everyone wants or is able to make that kind of commitment. Older pets on the other hand, are often better behaved, potty trained and less energetic. Whichever your preference, you should have no problem finding a pet in your desired age-range. 

As for looks, why not look beyond what’s “conventionally cute” and celebrate every animal’s individual uniqueness? Our friends at Petcurean just held an amazing contest called “Uplift the Underdog,” which shone a light on rescue dogs in Seattle, Portland, Toronto and Vancouver that are often overlooked due to age, looks, and/or dietary needs. The goal was to help find these deserving dogs their forever homes and help break down the stigma often associated with shelter animals. Contest prizes included Petcurean pet food for the finalists and their shelters, a makeover grooming service, and a Petcurean gift basket filled with supplies, toys and more. Talk about not judging a book by its cover – Petcurean just helped crack the book wide open for so many “underdogs”!

I will share with anyone who will listen to me the following facts:

1. 1. We adopted Rooney at 1.5 years of age. He was crate-trained, potty-trained, and knew basic commands and manners. It was amazing! Especially for a couple who worked full-time. I highly recommend adopting adult dogs.
   2. Rooney is turning 8 next month, and I have been noticing a smidge of a slow down in his energy levels, and right now I would describe him as having the perfect energy level. If I take him to work, he will sleep under my desk for a few hours, and then gladly take his walks. He can hike for 3 miles, and then will sleep for several hours. He will play for a 30 minutes, and then settle in to watch a movie with us. Mind you, I have loved Rooney’s personality and energy since the day we adopted him. I’m just really loving and enjoying this time where it’s easier to integrate him into every aspect of our lives.

Myth 4: All shelter animals have experienced abuse or neglect, making them “damaged goods.”

Fact 4: Shelter animals have so very much love to give. Even with abuse or neglect in their past, these animals can make a full emotional recovery in due time – especially when they’re placed in a loving home and given the right care and attention. Many of these animals are just so happy to finally end up in safe, caring environments that they are even more loving and loyal to their adopted families. Others came from loving homes but were surrendered by their owners due to unexpected circumstances, like relocating for a job.

A post shared by muttville senior dog rescue (@muttvillesf) on Jun 21, 2018 at 1:37pm PDT

I have seen so many pet parents create amazing bonds despite their pet’s past. For example, my mom’s Chihuahua Jimmy was in the shelter for two months and in the first fews days that we had him was very attached to me. However, before we knew it, he became completely bonded to my mom.

I think the most important thing to consider for your adopted pet is to what do they need from you. For example, you might never know if their fears are just fears (for example, I am afraid of heights, but I have never fallen from a high-up location), or if they are from an experience. More importantly, the question to ask yourself is, how can I best help my dog live a full-life based on their personality and temperament? What’s the best way I can help them?

Myth 5: Shelter pets have behavioral problems and won’t adapt well to living in my home.

Fact 5: There are so many reasons, beyond behavioral issues, that pets are brought into shelters – owners could have moved to a place that doesn’t allow pets, they may have been overwhelmed by the amount of work that needs to go into training their pet, the animal could have been a runaway, or it could have been born on the streets. Most of the animals that are dropped off at the shelter would make wonderful additions to a loving family. And those that wouldn’t, usually aren’t eligible for adoption!

If you, a family member, or a friend are thinking about welcoming a new pet into your family, I encourage you to do a little “digging” into your local shelters. If you are not sure if you are ready to adopt, or unsure which type of dog/cat you are looking for, many rescue groups and shelters have foster programs. Fostering allows you to learn more about the animal you are looking to adopt, and if your lifestyle/personalities are a match. It also helps you gauge if you are ready for the commitment and responsibility of caring for a companion. It also helps the animal by getting them into a temporary home, making space for a new animal at the rescue or shelter, and increases their chance for adoption. And if you fall in love with your foster, you can adopt – it’s a win win!  You never know – the dog or cat you’re meant to bring home may just be the complete opposite of what you expected!

I couldn’t agree more with Petcurean’s point here. Shelter is no way equals behavior problems. Additionally, if you do have concerns about how a dog will fit into your or your family’s lifestyle, I highly recommend fostering a pet, even if for a short period of time, you can really help your local shelter or rescue, and possibly find your perfect pet!

I would love to hear from you! Has your pet, or your experiences with pets, changed your mind about typical shelter myths?

Don’t forget, if you are interested in trying Petcurean food for your pet, you can download a $5 off coupon using code PAWSOME8 on any Petcurean food here: Petcurean.com/pawsome

Disclaimer: I am a Petcurean blogger. I was provided with food and compensation so that Rooney and I could provide our honest opinion. However, Petcurean is the food we feed Rooney every day. My Kid Has Paws only shares reviews we believe benefit our readers.