WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ADOPTING A RESCUED DOG

The right dog for you

ASD has successfully rehomed hundreds of dogs and we strive to match the right dog for your family and lifestyle. Our Adoption Counsellors will provide advice to make the adoption process smooth for both you and the dog. 

Dogs are intelligent, faithful and fun companion and adopting a rescued dog can be a truly rewarding experience. However, dogs – whether purebred or mixed – take up a lot of time, energy and money so you need to choose your adopted dog wisely. 

Determine what you’re looking for in a dog and what type and size of dog will fit your lifestyle.  Talk with the ASD Adoption Counsellors and/or other dog owners. Also consider what changes might occur in your future, such as a new baby or a move to a new apartment, and make sure you are willing to care for a dog through all these changes. Dogs are perceptive and sensitive to their environment so are just as affected by change as the rest of the family.

A dog is not a good choice for busy households or owners who are out all day, and if you know you’ll be moving countries, then consider all the implications first, such as travel costs, quarantine, and uncertainty over future housing. If you can’t consider a dog as “part of your family”, then please don’t adopt.

A dog that fails to match your needs or lifestyle is of little help to ASD, the dog or the stray animal problem, and it can end tragically for that dog.

Is everyone in the family on board?

Children:  if you have kids, then bring them with you when you visit  to view the dogs, making sure they understand that they can’t take a dog home on the same day and that it may take a few visits to find the right one.  Discuss with them what their responsibilities will be in caring for the dog, and their need to learn how to act safely around dogs and be involved in the new pets’ care, exercise, training and socialisation. When you meet the dogs or puppies, make sure that your children are comfortable with the experience.  If not, then consider first spending time with a dog knowledgeable friend and their dog to help the children build confidence.Or, consider adopting a cat! There’s no hurry and it’s important that this long-term decision is the right one for your family.

Domestic Helpers:  If you are expecting your domestic helper to look after your dog in any way, then please consult her before adopting a dog! She may be frightened of dogs, and will probably have no knowledge of their dietary or other needs. Through lack of knowledge and experience, your domestic helper may inadvertently mistreat them, so it’s your responsibility to ensure that everyone in the household knows what to expect and how to behave.

We strongly advise against your domestic helper being responsible for the daily feeding, exercising and grooming needs of your dog, except during your absences. You need to bond with your pal, and doing all these things yourself is the best way.  

What about a puppy?

Puppies are cute, manageable and adorable and with the proper early socialisation and training, can turn into wonderful adult pets. Yet when opting to adopt a cross-breed puppy there are some things you simply can’t evaluate – such as adult size, temperament, later grooming requirements, activity levels, shyness or prey drive levels.  

Genetics play a major role in determining the temperament of the adult dog, yet the parenthood of most of the puppies you come across at ASD’s Canine Rehoming Centre (ACRC) is unknown.  They are an extremely mixed bunch and no one is able to make guarantees as to what they will be like physically or behaviourally in adulthood. We can, however, share with you our knowledge of the pup’s behaviour while they have been in our care, and we conduct basic temperament assessments and training wherever possible.

The advantages of picking an adult dog

With an adult dog, size and grooming needs are apparent with little or no guessing. Temperament tests are not foolproof, but because so much of a dog’s character and temperament is formed through early experiences, they are more accurate than temperament-testing a puppy of unknown genetics.  

Other considerations

• De-sexing, vaccinations and other ongoing veterinary care.
• Preventative treatments for ticks, fleas, worms, etc.
• Balanced, nutritious diet and access to clean water.
• Daily exercise and regular grooming.
• Socialisation and/or training opportunities.
• Boarding/dog-hotel facilities.
• Bedding, toys, collars and leads.
• Microchipping and licensing

Why adoptions sometimes fail

• Not understanding the needs of a dog.
• Not understanding that YOU are responsible for fulfilling those needs.
• Not thinking ahead about changes in lifestyle and living arrangements.
• Not understanding what normal dog behaviour is for this type of dog.
• Destructive or undesirable behaviours caused by boredom, stress, lack of training, etc.
• Choosing a puppy, yet not offering appropriate socialisation and training, so ending up with a “difficult” dog.
• Not appreciating that most healthy dogs live long lives – up to 15 years or more.
• Expecting too much, too soon.

The chemistry between you and the dog makes the difference

There are many unknowns when adopting or buying any dog, but specifically a dog born and partly raised in a hostile environment on the streets. The move from our centre to your home may lead to health or behavioural problems. If you prepare for this, practice a great deal of patience and offer training and love, then your dog will soon settle and learn what’s expected of him. ASD can help with advice or recommendations for most problems.

The critical factor in all this is the chemistry, the affinity, the special feeling you develop with your dog.  So, in choosing, just make sure the feeling is mutual between you, the dog and the rest of your family members.