Giving a rescue dog a second chance at happiness is incredibly rewarding, says the RSPCA.
Rescue dogs need a forever home to give them the love they deserve - and with so many to be rehomed, it's also the most ethical way to welcome a dog into your family.
Before you make a decison, here are a few things worth considering:
Have you got time and finances for a dog?
Firstly, it’s important to consider whether you can care for an animal for the rest of their life, including if you have the time, money and resources to provide everything your pet needs.
Owning a dog is amazing - but is also a big commitment, so doing your research first is key to make sure it’s the right decision. There are plenty of tools out there to help prospective pet owners see how much owning a pet might cost, such as the RSPCA’s pet cost calculator.
How to choose the right rescue dog
Once you’ve decided to adopt a dog, it’s important that you figure out which dog is going to be right for you, your family and your lifestyle.
It’s very helpful for any potential adopters to take time to explain your lifestyle, household features, experience, and expectations to staff so they fully understand your commitments and what you are looking for.
Adopters should think about what type of dog would best suit their family - for example, those with more spare time on their hands to dedicate to training may find a young dog or puppy is best. While, older dogs can also be wonderful companions and help if loneliness is an issue.
More things to consider when choosing the right rescue dog
All rescue dogs deserve to find their forever home where they are loved and cared for, but every dog is different - with their own unique personality, likes and dislikes.
When an animal arrives at a rescue centre, staff will look at the dog’s temperament and their reactions to people and other dogs. They will also undergo vet checks, and will be vaccinated and microchipped where appropriate.
Rescue dogs come in all shapes and sizes and from all different backgrounds. Some may have suffered neglect and cruelty and need a little more patience and understanding than others to build their trust back again; some may have been born in a rescue centre or come into kennels very young and have only known kindness from staff or fosterers but need a little extra help adjusting to life in a home, or some may be older dogs whose loving owner sadly passed away and have come into rescue a little later in life.
Sometime we may never know the full history of a rescue dog, especially if little is known about where they came from. Nevertheless, our staff work hard to build a well-rounded picture of the kind of dog they are as individuals. They’ll give you details on the dog’s background and personality to help you make a decision on whether they are the right fit.
Find out more
We have lots of advice relating to our furry friends, from what to do if you loose your dog, to how to get rid of fleas on dogs and cats. Plus how to housetrain your puppy, Alabama rot dog disease: how to spot the signs and protect your dog and which are the best dog beds for sleeping hounds.
About the RSPCA
The RSPCA is the largest animal welfare charity in the UK and specialises in animal rescue and furthering the welfare cause for all animals.