If you're thinking about bringing a new canine home for your family, consider adopting one from a shelter. You'll find shelters are filled with dogs that would make ideal companions if given the chance. Some are there because they became lost and were unable to find their way home. Others are there because their previous owners were unable to continue caring for them (e.g. they moved into an apartment with a "no pet" policy). A reputable shelter will take the time to make sure a pet in their care is a good match for you and your family.

This article will provide five important tips for adopting a shelter dog. The following suggestions will help ensure you bring home a healthy, happy, and affectionate canine.

If you have been thinking of getting a pet (or another pet), then you should consider adopting a dog. There are many misconceptions about dog adoption. The most prevalent is that dogs coming from shelters are unstable and will not be able to adjust living with human beings or other dogs. This is rooted on the idea that most dogs from shelters were maltreated by their previous owners or were abandoned at a young age that they no longer know how to interact with humans. Another reason why some people don’t opt for dog adoption is that they believe dogs coming from shelters are not healthy.

Infographic courtesy of Helpucover

When you are looking for a new canine companion to share your home and heart, rescuing a shelter dog is great decision. No matter what type of dog you are looking for, you are almost guaranteed to find it in today’s over-crowded animal shelters. The sad fact is that people not only surrender mixed breed dogs to the humane societies across the US, but there are also plenty of pure-bred dogs (and puppies!) that are looking for homes as well.

>Having a pet could give you more happiness than you can imagine. Pets love their owners unconditionally and stick with them no matter what. Anatole France once said, “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” Having a pet is like having a constant companion that listens to you and stays by your side, even in the trickiest situations. Students, in particular, are often extremely fond of pets. Student life is full of ups and downs.