If you’ve been thinking about adopting a dog, October is the perfect opportunity to make this decision official. Not only will bringing a dog into your home this fall make the holiday season even more memorable, but October is actually Adopt a Dog Month. Since there are a lot of great things about adopting a dog, we want to use this post to highlight five of them:

1. Save a Life

The sad reality of pet overpopulation in the United States is that 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized every year. By making the decision to adopt a dog, you are giving that special animal the opportunity to live a full and happy life.

2. Start a Wonderful Journey

Having a pet is a very special experience. You’ll be able to bond with your dog in all kinds of ways. Whether you live alone or have a family, the dog you adopt will become a central part of your daily life. From playing outside to hanging around the house, you’ll be able to enjoy countless fun experiences with your pet.

3. Adoption is Affordable

Bringing a dog into your life is a financial commitment. However, it’s a financial commitment that’s completely manageable. And when you go the route of adopting, you won’t have to worry about an overwhelming upfront cost. Shelters want dogs to find homes, which is why they work very hard to make this process a smooth transition for people adopting. Not only do shelters do a great job of keeping adopting costs down, but this fee typically includes spaying/neutering, first vaccinations and potentially even microchipping.

4. Lots of Benefits to Having a Dog

We mentioned above that bringing a dog home is an opportunity to save a life and the start of a wonderful journey. While you can give a dog a lot by adopting it, you’ll also get so much from having a pet in your life. Studies have found that dogs provide numerous emotional and physical benefits to their owners. Whether it’s having a reason to exercise more often or enjoying the stress-reducing effects that pets have, your dog will always be there for you.

5. Gift That Keeps Giving

When you adopt a dog from a shelter, you are freeing up valuable housing space that will allow the shelter to bring in another dog in need. Seeing the great experience you have after adopting may inspire others to do the same, which will continue the cycle of helping dogs that need it the most.

If you have any questions about local shelters or bringing your newly adopted dog to our  daycare , don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 513-860-DOGS.