9 Reasons We Love Rescue Pets
“Adopt, Don’t Shop!” You’ve certainly heard that catchphrase for the pet adoption movement that continues to make headway with every year. And at Wellness, we couldn’t agree more; we think every pet is special! November 3-9 is National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week, and this year we want to take a moment to recognize the reasons we love rescue pets.
1. They Usually Have a Good Story
That scruffy, half-chihuahua, half-some kind of terrier dog that has one eye and a heart of gold? She’s got a great story, some of which you may never even know. But many rescue dogs come with a backstory worth telling, for better or for worse. This dog survived a hurricane but lost his family along the way, this dog was found twenty miles into the desert with a mouthful of cactus spikes and no water for days. Whatever your rescue dog’s story, you can rest assured that one of the best chapters in her book is the one where you brought her home to rest, heal, and spend the rest of her story being loved and appreciated.
2. The Adoration is So Mutual
No one loves you like your dog. No one. There is no one else who is going to literally sit at the front door while you are gone and count the seconds until you return, even if only just to be in the same room as you. Whatever love and time you put into your relationship with your dog, they will return that adoration tenfold. And rescue dogs? They know who changed their world: you. And they won’t let you forget it!
3. A Life: Saved
Animal shelters around the country are regularly overpopulated, and the unfortunate truth of that is that many perfectly adoptable pets are euthanized each day because there is simply not enough room. If you rescue a dog or a cat, you have just saved a life. Think about that for a moment. This is your opportunity to truly save a life. Why not seize this chance?
4. Here’s to Your Health and Theirs
Studies have proven time and time again that pets are a powerful antidepressant for people, that homes with dogs and/or cats are happier all around. There is even a direct link between pet ownership and better health. So why wouldn’t you have pet? And why not make that a pet that needs you, too?
5. You’re Fighting Puppy Mills
No matter how adorable that little bundle of canine fur may be on an online ad or in a store, there is a good chance that he came from a puppy mill. So many “designer pets” today are bred in backyard breeding factories that encourage animal abuse and neglect in horrific conditions. If you rescue a dog from a shelter, that’s one more puppy mill purchase that didn’t happen. And if it happens enough? Puppy mills can’t stay in business. That’s a long road to travel, but at least you can make a small step towards that greater cause. Join the Wellness Foundation’s movement and help support Best Friends Animal Society mission to make all shelters no kill.
6. Discounts for Days
Have you purchased a purebred lately? Yikes! The price for clean genes is steep! There’s certainly nothing wrong with purebreds (we love them too!), but a pooch or kitty from an animal shelter will cost you a fraction of the cost. In fact, many shelters often have adoption specials, offering even greater discounts on adoption fees or free vaccinations, spays or neuters. And luckily a discounted price doesn’t mean a discounted pet ownership experience.
7. Lifelong Friend
The nighttime guard, the kid entertainer, the dinner taster, the exercise partner, the confidante, the friend. Pets come into our lives, and though they may go quicker than we are ever ready, they are our true friends for their entire lives. Rescuing a pet is giving yourself the gift of a lifelong friend, for you both.
8. Up Your Social Game
Need an excuse to leave the house? Want a way to meet people? Or maybe your Instagram feed just needs a little boost. Pets have a way of majorly upping your social game, getting you out of your comfort zone and encouraging you to get out there and be social. Want-to-be-extrovert? Rescue a dog and be amazed at how many people you can meet at the dog park or at dog-friendly Saturday brunch. Introvert but still love making friends online? We imagine that pic of you and your newly adopted cat will get you more than a few likes.
9. You’re Doing a Good Thing
At the end of the day, it comes down to this: adopting a pet is giving you the chance to do a really good thing. There are so many animals in this world that need a home, and when you make the choice to adopt rather than shop, you’re saving a life, providing a home and doing the right thing. We’re proud of you, and you should be too. Now go adopt that pet!
Wellness CORE Bestie Bars are the best way to show your new rescue dog or cat just how much you really care, by offering wholesome, nutritious food in their bowl each and every day.