Your step-by-step guide to bringing home a rescue dog
- The Beagle
- May 26, 2023
- 3 min read
By Mike Halligan
The best thing about rescuing a dog is that you’re giving an animal a second chance. But rescuing a dog often takes up a lot of time, and can be a huge commitment. Depending on their past, rescue dogs may have behavioural issues or habits they need extra training and support to deal with.
With many things to consider, I’ve put together a guide to help you make a responsible decision about adopting a rescue dog, and help you give them the best possible second chance at a great life.
1. Do you have time?
Getting a dog—rescue or not—requires a substantial time commitment. Across their life they’ll need a lot of walking, training, grooming and play time. We’ve bred dogs to love spending time with us. Think about how long you’d be away from them each day. Do you go on lots of holidays? Is your workplace dog-friendly? Remember: this is a long-term commitment. It’s not fair to commit to dog rescue if they’ll always be alone.
You should also consider taking a week off work to help them settle into their new home. If they’re a puppy, expect your sleep to be disrupted for a couple of months too.
2. Can you afford it?
Rescue dogs usually have lower adoption fees than designer or pure breeds. But remember, that’s just the purchase price. It doesn’t include vets, collars, leads, beds, toys, treats, food, training or anything else you’ll want to treat your pup with. Ongoing costs will vary but the expenses add up fast, especially if your dog has health problems, accidents or emergencies. Many people choose to get pet insurance to reduce this impact.
3. Are you prepared to study and learn?
It’s vital you learn about caring for a dog before you get one. This is particularly true for rescues who can require more support and may benefit from seeing a behaviourist or trainer. It’s easier to train a dog from the start than to inadvertently teach the wrong behaviour and then have to correct it. If you haven’t been the primary adult carer for a dog before, it’s time to start reading up on what’s involved.
4. Is Your House Ready?
Make sure your home is suitable for a dog and remember that different breeds will have different needs. Consider the pet’s size, your property type, security of outside areas and dangerous items you may have lying around. If you want a pristine home, probably get a goldfish instead.
5. Are you prepared to be patient?
It can take time to find a rescue dog that suits you and your lifestyle. Adoption is often competitive and may take months. Additionally, you have less choice when it comes to breed and age. If you have your heart set on a specific kind of dog, you might be waiting for a long time, so be prepared to be patient.
6. Do you know where to look?
Adopting a rescue dog is a rewarding process, but it can also be a long one. Unlike adopting a new dog from a breeder, there are no waiting lists you can join to help you find the perfect pet. Rescue dogs come from many places: shelters, breed groups, family and friends or even the street.
Wherever you choose to adopt your dog from, it’s important to do your homework and make sure they’re reputable. This means visiting the space, speaking to people who have adopted from there, and checking reviews and articles about them online.
Signs of a good organisation to adopt from include: detailed knowledge of dog health and behaviour, offering ongoing support and training, allowing you to return the dog if there are issues, and a detailed adoption process where they ask you a lot of questions to ensure you’re suitable. Trust your gut, and if something feels off, find another place to adopt from.
By taking the time to consider everything involved in adopting a rescue dog, and not rushing the process, you and your family will be rewarded with a dog very deserving of your love and attention. For more information and checklists to adopt a rescue dog, visit scratchpetfood.com.au. Have fun, enjoy the process, and bask in the glory of giving a very deserving furry friend a better life!
Mike Halligan is the Co-Founder and CEO at Scratch Dog Food, an Australian-made and owned company which makes and delivers fresh and healthy dry food for dogs, and the best mate of his young pup Mello.
