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October Is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month! WOOF! WOOF!

Updated on October 4, 2013
"Hi there! Can't you see I've been stuck in here TOO LONG!"
"Hi there! Can't you see I've been stuck in here TOO LONG!"

October has been designated as Adopt a Dog Month or Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, depending on who you ask. Heck, some people even call it National Adopt a Dog Month or National Adopt a Shel... well, you get the idea! But whatever name you choose to call it, October is indeed a great month to adopt a dog from your nearest shelter or rescue organization.You could even call it ROCKtober because what could rock more than picking up a new furry friend?

It might be tempting to wait until the Holidays to treat yourself or your family to such a wonderful gift, but what if you miss the perfect dog by delaying? Not to mention (though I guess I am about to mention it), wouldn't you rather already have your new family member settled in by Thanksgiving? Just think about how delightful it will be to have a warm, cuddly dog snoozing next to you on the sofa when that autumn chill begins to creep in around the door frame and along the windowsill!

Shelter dogs come in all shapes, sizes, breeds and dispositions.
Shelter dogs come in all shapes, sizes, breeds and dispositions.

Sometimes people believe that adopting a dog from a shelter may limit their choice of breeds. However, nothing could be further from the truth! In most areas, practically every breed of dog known to man is available for adoption. Certainly there will be more variety than at local pet stores. And if your shelter does not have what you are looking for, you can bet they will almost certainly be able to find the perfect pet at another nearby shelter with minimal effort.

Consider this, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed in America at this time. As of the writing of this article, Petfinder has over 24,000 Labradors listed in their database as available for adoption! They have almost 1800 Yorkshire Terriers available. Yorkies are the second most popular breed. In fact, they have well over 1000 dogs in all of the most popular breeds. So clearly there is no shortage of breeds in desperate need of loving families to adopt them.

Seven Fantastic Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Dog

  1. Gives you a good reason to exercise and lose the blubber!
  2. Easily dispose of those pesky extra bites of yummy food.
  3. Great for discussing deep philosophical questions such as "Why are we here?"
  4. Free face lickings available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
  5. Friendly face to always greet you after a hard day's work.
  6. A carpet full of dog hair makes the dirt less noticable!
  7. Who else is going to remind you how awesomely awesome you are every day?

The American Humane Association encourages everyone to consider adopting a shelter dog during October. Whether you are a single person looking for companionship, a family looking for a family pet, or someone seeking a dog for a special situation such as an elderly person who needs a friend, now is the time to make the decision to visit your local shelter and bring home that special dog.

Anyone who has ever had a dog can tell you there is nothing like the bond that grows between a faithful dog and his or her adoptive family. Take it from me -- a reformed "cat person" (though cats still rule as well and have their own adoption drive each June). You cannot go wrong when you adopt a dog. You are guaranteed to improve your life!

24,000 Labrador Retrievers are waiting for you!
24,000 Labrador Retrievers are waiting for you!

Before you adopt a dog, however, there are several things to consider to be sure you are ready for a dog and that you get the right dog...

  • Do you have time to properly train, socialize and care for your dog?
  • What level of activity are you willing to commit to your dog?
  • Can you financially afford to feed and care for your dog?
  • Do you have an appropriate place to kennel your dog?
  • If the dog is for a family, is everyone agreed that adding a dog to the family is a good idea?

Not fully meeting these criteria does not necessarily mean you should not get a dog, but it might affect which dog you should adopt. For instance, smaller dogs are generally less expensive to care for and consume less food if there are budget considerations. If you are only a mildly active person, an older dog that needs walking but is less rambunctious when at play might be a good idea. In short, you simply owe it to yourself, your family and your new pet to not get in over your head in any way. But there is almost certainly a dog out there that will fit your situation.

Adopt a Poll

How will you celebrate Adopt a Dog Month?

See results

Final Word

If you cannot adopt a dog for whatever reason, consider these ways alternate ways to celebrate in October...

  • Volunteer at your local shelter or rescue organization.
  • Donate to your local shelter or a national organization that promotes pet adoption.
  • Spread the word through blogs, forums, emails and just plain word-of-mouth about the joys of adopting a dog!
  • Hug a puppy the next time you see one.
  • Share this hub! WOOF!

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