Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog month, sponsored by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals wound down Nov. 1, but its lessons can offer a lasting tribute to the Kyrene Corridor and other Valley residents who chose to get animals from local shelters.
“I would say people tend to get their animals from sources other than the shelter, in my experience,” Dr. Thomas Gus, a veterinarian at University Animal Hospital, said.
According to ASPCA, fewer than 20 percent of dogs in the U.S. are shelter dogs. Millions of dogs enter our country’s shelters each year.
“I would definitely encourage people to adopt dogs, or any other animal, from a shelter,” Gus said. “People are often discouraged, because they don’t want to end up with a dog with behavioral problems, but this is actually uncommon.”
Gus said most shelter dogs are already trained, and shelters do a good job of screening animals up for adoption.
“Oftentimes, much of the behavioral conditioning has been done by someone else,” Gus said. “A common misconception is that all the dogs are there (at shelters) because they have a problem.”
Many animal-lovers, though, have a specific breed in mind and will look to family, friends and independent breeders to get a dog they want.
“My wife wanted a specific type of dog; it was sub-breed of a standard poodle and they are relatively uncommon. Beyond that, she wanted a puppy” Gus said. “When you’re looking for something unique, it’s going to be hard to find that in a shelter.”
Gus said the economy has had a large impact on the number of animals being dropped off at shelters.
“There are a variety of reasons why animals get the short end of the stick,” he said. “Right now, people are being forced to move, for example, and I would speculate the rate (of dropped-off animals) has gone up a lot.”
Gus said he recommends any of the local shelters to residents wanting to adopt animals.
“I think any one of them is a life saved,” he said. “You’re saving a life, and that’s a good deed.”
Those who chose adoption should be generally aware of what kind of dog fits their lifestyle.
“People want to find a dog that is overtly friendly, seems to be social and, in their best estimate, healthy,” he said. “You want to look for any signs of respiratory issues, because kennel cough is the most common problem in shelters.”
Most shelters, however, do a good job of screening animals.
“If the animal is showing any signs of aggression, or medical conditions, I don’t believe they will be put in the adoption category.”
Animal owners with adopted dogs should always take them to a veterinarian early on to be vaccinated and started on a maintenance health program, Gus said.
“The sad side is more animals are being dropped off than adopted, and some animals are put down,” Gus said.
“Thankfully, there are those who choose to adopt from the pound and other shelters.”
