This page may contain affiliate links. In addition to sharing our personal experiences, we often write about products and services that we use ourselves or that we believe would be a helpful resource for you. To support our work, and remain a free website, we receive a commission from some of the links we share.
Here is some good information to read before you decide to get a new puppy — whether it be a rescued dog that you think you’ll be helping or a new puppy from a pet store, a friend, or a breeder…
Why Dogs End Up In Shelters:
- Moving
- Landlord issues
- Cost of pet maintenance
- No time for pet
- Inadequate facilities
- Too many pets in home
- Pet illness
- Personal problems
- Biting
- No homes for littermates
Source: PetsTV.com
A Little About The Cats & Dogs In Shelters
- 60% of dogs are euthanized each year in animal shelters.
- Shelter intakes are about evenly divided between those dogs that are relinquished by owners and those that are picked up by animal control.
- Only 15% to 20% of dogs are returned to their owners. Most of those are identified with tags, tattoos or microchips.
- Of all the dogs that enter animal shelters, 25% are purebred.
- Only 10% of the dogs received by shelters have been spayed or neutered.
- The majority of pets are obtained by shelters from acquaintances and family members. (15% to 20% of those are purchased from breeders; 10% to 20% are adopted from shelters and rescues).
- 5 out of 10 dogs in shelters are destroyed simply because there is no one to adopt them.
Source: ASPCA
More About Dogs & Animal Shelters
- Want to help your local animal shelter?… Here are some items that they need.
- Can’t afford the vet bills? Here are some organizations that might help.
- Here’s how to prevent your dog from getting lost and ending up in an animal shelter.
- More about abandoned dogs left behind after foreclosures.
- How to keep your dog safe during a storm so he doesn’t become separated from you.
- The pros and cons of renting a dog first.
- How to introduce 2 dogs so they’ll live happily ever after… together.
Here are some more great tips for new dog owners.
I like to help Dog Parents find unique ways to do things that will save time & money — so I write about "outside the box" Dog Tips and Dog Hacks that most wouldn't think of. I’m a lifelong dog owner — currently have 2 mixed breed Golden Aussies that we found abandoned on the side of the road as puppies. I've always trained my own dogs and help friends train theirs, as well. Professionally, I worked at a vet and have several friends who are veterinarians — whom I consult with regularly. (And just because I love animals so much, I also worked at a Zoo for awhile!) I've been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started… and before the days of Facebook and YouTube). My daily motivation is to help first-time dog owners be better prepared from the first day your new puppy enters your home. I like to help dog owners understand what's 'normal' and what you can expect in terms of living with and training your dog — how to get through the ups & downs of potty training, chewing, teaching commands, getting your dog to listen, and everything else that takes place during that hectic first year! When I'm not training, walking, grooming, or making homemade treats for my dogs, you will find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I've written over 500 articles for dog owners on this site!
