5 Reasons to Adopt a Long Island Shelter Rescue as Your First Pet

Looking for a new doggie?  Have you considered adopting from a Long Island shelter rescue? Let us tell you from experience; shelter pets are awesome. And we’re not just saying that to save their adorable furry faces. Here in Long Island, there are a few hundred pets found, rescued, and adopted every year. Shelter pets tend to have great personalities, previous experience with families, and already know how to be totally sweet. Plus, they’re ten times cheaper (or more) than trying to buy a pedigree. Many first-time pet owners have more to gain from adopting a shelter pet than they realize, and today we’re here to show you why.

Here are five reasons why every first-time pet owners should adopt a shelter-rescue as your go-to pet finding source.

1) To Rescue a Lovable Animal Life

If you’re moved by the plight of animals without loving homes, head straight for the shelter. Shelter rescue pets usually have done nothing wrong and have great, loving personalities. Many of them are just pets whose owners had to move away and couldn’t take them with. Some are family pets that ran away or were abandoned. And some are lovable strays, often from litters birthed in the garages of people who couldn’t keep all the puppies and kittens.

But if these pets don’t get adopted, they’ll eventually have to be put down. So your love can save a life, or two, or three.

2) Shelter Pets Are Often Already Half-Trained

If you’re a first-time pet owner or looking for your child’s very first pet, shelter rescues are often a fantastic idea because they have already been family pets and are already trained. Training is usually the biggest challenge for first-time pet owners, from house-breaking to sit-and-staying. More than half of all shelter pets have already been trained, or half-trained, and know the basics of how to be obedient. Some even know cool tricks already.

Adopting a pet that’s already been through some training gives your pet a head-start on learning how to be a great addition to your family, which makes things easier for first-time pet owners. Ask your shelter staff for a pet that has some training and kid-friendly experience. They will know which pets to introduce you to. With the basics, you’ll have a head-start on teaching your new pet how to be an awesome and obedient new member of your family.

If you’re not confident about finishing up their training or if you’re adopting a puppy who hasn’t had a chance to be trained, Canine Commander can help you with training classes. We can even help you rehabilitate a rescue that has behavioral problems from a past owner or no previous training at all.

3) Shelter Pets Are Often Already Fixed and Have Their Shots

Most shelters have some basic health requirements, and their funding covers the necessary medical care for newly rescued pets. Rescues that have already been pets are often already fixed and have all their vaccination shots in order. And rescues that were strays or un-fixed pets get that corrected right fast in order to be residents of the shelter.

This means that shelter pets are not only less expensive than pet-store and breeder pets; they also save you a bundle on first-time vet trips to take care of spaying, neutering, and vaccinations.

4) Shelter Pets are More Affordable than Pet-Store and Breeder Pedigrees

Did we mention that shelters are more affordable than pet-stores and breeders? At least twice now, but it’s worth saying again. If you want to pay $500 to $5,000 for an adorable furry face, go to a breeder or pet store. For a budget more like $20 to $200 for a pet, head to your local shelter. Plus, you can sometimes find rescued pedigrees in a shelter.

5) Because It’s Super Cool

Have you ever had a friend with a rescue pet that seemed like they could have been a pirate-pet with their mysterious previous owner? Adopting a shelter rescue is always super cool. When your friends ask where you got your new pet, you don’t have to say, “Oh, I just went to a pet store.” Instead, you can tell the story of meeting them in the shelter, falling in love, and saving that adorable little life right there on the spot. It’s a great story, and one we home more pet-owners will be able to tell in the future.

Adopting a shelter pet is one of the most loving and compassionate things you can do as a first-time pet owner. That love will be returned ten-fold as you share your life with your new furry companion. For more information on why shelter pets or awesome or training assistance to help your rescue pet adapt to their new life as your furry family member, contact Canine Commander today!