If you are in the marketplace for buying a dog, why not think of adopting a pet from your local shelter or rescue? Adopting a dog and providing him with a loving home also blesses you with a lifelong buddy and the experience that you have helped to save an animal’s life. If you are open to the suggestion, visit your local animal rescue center or local shelter armed with a few queries before making your decision. Before even looking at the pups and dogs up for adoption, make sure that the shelter has a licensed veterinarian on its staff. This will specify that all the dogs are under medical care and have been vaccinated and checked for disease. Some people may voluntarily adopt a pet which has been injured. In such cases, find out all the facts about the injury, the extent of medical treatment required and the cost of future treatment if the need arises.
Shelters also classify dogs up for adoption on the basis of their nature. Professional caretakers can identify characteristics and personality types in dogs and can help you when choosing the best pet for your home and family. The shelter staff should be able to advise you on whether the dog in question can be trusted with children or how he respond to other dogs or people. Choosing the right dog for your standard of living and family set-up is very important. For example, if you live alone in a small apartment, you definitely do not need a large boisterous dog, which needs people and activity around him at all times. On the other hand, if you have children and a large patch, such a dog may be the best match for you. When adopting, keep in mind the dog’s size, his friendliness, the exercise routine he requires, and his assertiveness. Speak to the shelter staff for information on various breeds to find the pet with the characters you are looking for.
Most shelters have both mixed breeds and purebreds up for adoption. Keep in mind that adopting a purebred puppy will give you a good idea of how he will behave and how big he will grow as most conform to a particular 'breed standard'. Adopting a mixed breed may be a bit of wild card as predicting their physical personality traits is not always possible. That said, a mixed breed is likely to be stronger and healthier than certain purebred dogs as they are generally free of genetic defects.
When deciding a shelter dog, remember that his true colors may not be evident until he is away from the chaos of the place and the other animals. Dogs feel shy and scared so spend time with each animal before making your selection.
Adopting a puppy is ideal if you are willing to spend time in training him and fixing his behavior. If you lack the patience to do this, an adult dog may be better suited for you. Once you have chosen your new friend, the next step is keeping him safe and secure. Shelter dogs may have been found off the streets and could have a tendency to run off and get lost. To avoid this from happening, spend in a dog GPS locator. GPS canine tracking devise such as the SpotLight GPS pet locator will offer you with 24/7 tracking of your pet’s location using the latest GPS technology. This gadget is small and easily attaches to your pet’s collar, and it will notify you of your pet’s whereabouts at all times. You can track him 24/7 online or with your mobile phone, and you can also receive text and email alerts if he walks away. To find out more about the SpotLight and GPS tracking for dogs, check out www.spotlightgps.com.
This article is authored by Chris Newton, from Securus, Inc. For more information about GPS Pet Tracking System, visit http://www.spotlightgps.com/.