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Anita George

Dr. J. Akens

English 340.01W

26 Oct. 2014

Shelter Dogs Make Great Pets!

Need a friend to come home to? Need a happy companion?

Shelter dogs make great pets! Stop by your local animal shelter

today and adopt a dog. Animal shelters are noisy, smelly, and

scary for people and for the animals as well. The dogs inside

can be anything from sweet to hostile; no matter which each one

deserves a loving home. Dogs at the local shelter can be the best

pets for many reasons. Dogs can be great for friendship,

companionship, and loyalty. They can improve a person’s health,

and remain loving; simply because they were rescued from a cold

lonely place. The new owner will have a faithful and devoted

friend perhaps for life. Shelter animals can make wonderful pets

to anyone seeking immediate friendship between pet and owner,

especially when thoughtful attention is put into the owner’s

search so that a safe and loving home is provided for the animal.

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When seeking a pet at an animal shelter, the owner should

understand that although a dog may appear anxious, nervous or

scared, he most likely is under stress rather than displaying an

aggressive personality trait. Hennessey et. al in the Department

of Psychology at Wright State University led an experiment with

shelter dogs at the Montgomery County, Ohio animal shelter,

adopted pets, and their own companions. Using only healthy male

and female dogs, they drew blood samples from each dog. They

verified the cortisol levels in the dogs to measure stress. In

their own pets the levels were low. In the shelter dogs the

levels were high on days one through three, but dropped the

longer the animal was in the shelter. They tested pets that had

been adopted from the shelter and their stress levels had been

considerably reduced. Hennessey et. al stated its better for the

animals if they have human contact within those first three days.

The experiment showed that the test was useful in determining the

dogs stress levels. Second, it was imperative animals in a

shelter develop relationships with humans in the first three

days. Third, that human contact reduces stress in the dogs. The

results of the testing of the stress levels shows that if you

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adopt from a shelter you are not only saving the dog’s life, but

they also make a great pet. Adopted or rescued pets are always

grateful and happy to go home to their forever home. The dogs in

the shelter may seem scary or unapproachable. If the dogs are

taken out of dire conditions or stray, upon arriving at the

shelter the animal might be scared, nervous, or excited.

Rescued pets may become the most loving company found

despite previous living conditions. Dogs can help owners connect

with other people by greeting them with a wagging tail and sloppy

kisses creating an instant connection. Beth Stern Ostrosky,

author of the book Oh My Dog! How To Choose, Train, Groom, Nurture, Feed and

Care for Your New Best Friend and the spokesperson for the North Shore

Animal League, states it is her own experience that just petting

a dog decreases stress. Lisa Fields, WebMD author, quoted pet

researcher Allen R. McConnell, PhD, “We found that pet owners, on

average, were better off than non-owners, especially when they

have a higher-quality relationship with their pets." McConnell, a

professor of psychology at the Miami University, also stated

"What [makes] a meaningful relationship varies from person to

person.” Pets can encourage a person to become more active which

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can in turn improve the owner’s health. Spending time with a dog

can have a constructive impact on a person’s mood and health.

According to Fields, studies show people with irregular heart

rhythms who own dogs live longer than people with heart problems

who do not own pets. Because it makes an owner feel positive,

petting a dog can lower blood pressure. Fields goes on to state

that, people with pets are happier, more trusting, and less

lonely than people without pets. Just as the shelter pet is

rescued and given a more positive quality of life, the new pet

owner feels the same positive experience in emotions and health

as the newly adopted pet.

It is important to consider what type of dog fits a person’s

life, and how much time can be spent on a pet. Pets are a

lifetime commitment. If a person does not have the time, a puppy

would not be a wise choice, as they will have to be potty trained

and fed every couple of hours. Some dogs are demonstrative,

while others are more restrained. Some dogs are smelly and

require regular bathing, while others are low maintenance. Some

are aggressive, others are nervous. Some are lap dogs and others

thrive in spacious environments. Some dogs may have medical cost.

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Some breeds bark, yelp, or squeal a lot. Several breeds have

long hair and must be groomed regularly due to shedding while

others only shed as the seasons change. Some dogs are at their

happiest when they can run and play every day. Every dog is

different. Knowing the different kinds of breeds helps to keep

from getting a dog that may not fit your lifestyle or

personality. Experts can help decide what kind of dog would be

the right one. The people who work at the local animal shelter

can give advice on the different breeds. Be honest with shelter

employees let them know if life is chaotic, whether or not

children will live with the pet, or if this a first pet. Let them

know up front how much money, and how much time will be spent

with the dog. If a person does not choose the perfect dog first

they may become discouraged and give up on the dog and the

shelter. Asking questions can make it easier for the shelter

employees to assist with the right choice of a shelter pet.

There are other great options on locating a pet, however a

person must be diligent in making sure these other options are

legit. A person should be cautious of dogs bought from breeders.

Check with the AKC, American Kennel Club, if a breeder seems

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suspicious or illegitimate. The breeder should give the required

paperwork on the dog. Request a contract from the breeder. If

excuses are made for why the breeder cannot make a contract; do

not take the dog home. Beware of websites that offer to sell the

perfect puppy. Keep in mind if there is trouble with breeders or

websites, the local shelter is just around the corner with some

great dogs just waiting to be adopted. Before taking home a

stray dog, make sure it is a stray first. Someone could have lost

it; someone could be looking for it. A stray could have fleas.

The stray could have a disease. It is better to take it to the

local shelter. Once the animal is at the shelter ask about stray

holds, and the steps needed to adopt it if the shelter is unable

to find the dog’s owners. Stray’s make for good pets, but there

is a proper process to go through first. A shelter dog has been

cared for, treated for communicable diseases, treated by medical

professionals and given vaccinations.

The local shelter has many different kinds of breeds a

person can visit current breeds there and get to know that breed.

The future owner should explain what type of dog is preferred.

Whether it is a companion or a friend. Let shelter employees know

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if it is busy at home, if the person has a job. Let employees

know how much a person will be interacting with the dog. It would

be good idea to bring references, identification, phone numbers,

and everyone who lives in the house. Everyone should meet the

possible new pet before the pet comes home. Most shelters have a

screening and application process to be sure the owner will make

the best match for the dog. It can save a person the trouble of

growing attached only to find the new pet is not the best pet.

Shelter pets make great pets because the shelter employees match

the dogs based on personalities of both the dog and owner, and

the lifestyles of the new owner ensuring the best match possible.

Be aware if a person adopts from the local shelter, some states

have laws that require the dog be taken to the vet within a

couple of days after adoption. Most shelters will give good

advice for the dogs adopted from there regarding vets. The

shelter can tell a person when to take the new pet to the vet,

who is reasonably priced and who is the best in their opinion.

If a person is worried about whether or not shelter pets

make the best pets ask some friends or experts for advice. Cathy

Agan, owner of The Dog House and Cats Too, stated that she has

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adopted four good pets from the Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter,

and has fostered numerous dogs for the past five years. She

grooms them, and takes them home to discover their personalities,

before placing them in other homes. Agan notes that she has not

come across too many dogs from the shelter with behavioral

problems, professionally or personally. Agan says, in her own

personal experience, the pets she has adopted from there are well

behaved. She has a border collie named Trixie that she and her

husband Steve taught how to do tricks. She has an Australian

Shepard named Rustie. He is very nervous and was possibly abused

by his previous owners, but with love and attention, he has

become a friendly pet. Agan says that 25% of her clients own

animals from the shelter. Most of the dogs are well-mannered, and

only about 5% have minor behavioral issues. All of the pets from

the Mount Pleasant Shelter must be spayed or neutered to

eliminate over population. If someone is seeking a purebred,

he/she possibly could find one at the local shelter. Agan says

almost half of the animals at the shelter are purebreds at any

given time. Some people are under the assumption that fees at the

local shelter are outrageously priced; Agan states that fees at

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the Mount Pleasant Shelter are inexpensive, and half of what

other shelters charge. Agan states that most of the animals that

come to the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter are not well taken care

of. Either the owners did not take care of them or they come from

the streets. Agan referred to shelter employees as always helpful

and quick to provide her with any information she needed and that

they had on the dogs. They offered her advice on how to take care

of the dogs. In her opinion, shelter dogs make the best pets. She

said she would not trade her shelter pets for any other animals

as they are intelligent, devoted to her, and affectionate towards

her and her husband. Agan states that she always feels a sense

of emotional well-being thanks to the unconditional love she gets

from her shelter pets.

Ms. Jennie Smith an Animal Control Officer has worked

at the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter for three years. Smith states

that there are a lot of abused animals that come through the

shelter with more behavioral issues than physical abuse. However,

even then they make great pets. Smith states that shelters can be

a traumatic place for dogs so their goal is to get the dogs

adopted as soon as possible. Smith states the shelter employees

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offer advice for perspective new pet owners, before, during, and

after each adoption. They offer advice on vets, the laws, both

state and local, and advice on inside and outside dogs. They make

sure the new owners understand they have to vaccinate their new

pets. Smith says the most important advice she can give is,

“Adopting an animal from the shelters not only saves the animals

life it also saves other animals lives.” Smith also states she

thought that shelter dogs do make great pets because they do not

want to go back to that cold, lonely, scary shelter and if a

person takes them home they are likely to be very loving,

devoted, and friendly to them. Smith states she has adopted a

shelter dog and that nothing was more enjoyable than taking him

on a long walk after a busy day at work. Smith went on to say

that her dogs were the BEST thing that ever happened to her. In

conclusion, shelter dogs really do make the BEST pets considering

all the options there are out there.

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Puppies in a shelter!

Sweet blue eyed boy waiting for his home!

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I found my pet at the local shelter!

Im taking this cat home today!

I’m looking for my forever home!

Someone

take me

home!

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Are you looking for me?

Dog

s Bring Out the Best in People!

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Dogs can feel a person’s

pain.

Dogs know how to comfort!

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Dogs show unconditional support!

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Making people happy is a

dog’s priority!

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Build me for your pet!

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Works Cited

Agan, Cathy. Face to Face Interview. 20 Oct. 2014.

Fields, Lisa. “6 Ways Pets Can Improve Your Health.” WebMD

Feature article. 24 Oct. 2013.

Web Source.

Hennessy, Michael B et al. “Behavior and Cortisol Levels Of Dogs

In A Public Animal Shelter,

And An Exploration Of The Ability Of These Measures To Predict

Problem Behavior After Adoption.” Applied Animal Behavior Science.

Web Source. 20 Oct. 2014.

Photographs. www.googlescholar.com 29 October 2014. Web source.

Smith, Jennie. Face to Face Interview. 21 Oct. 2014.

Stern, Ostrosky Beth. With Kristina Grish. Oh My Dog! How To Choose,

Train, Groom,

Nurture, Feed and Care for Your New Best Friend. Gallery Books. May 2010.

Print.

Anita,

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You have cleaned the essay up very nicely. There is still the issue of scholarly resources.

I feel certain that there are scholarly, peer reviewed journals that contain essays about

adopting shelter dogs. Your essay relies too much on personal interviews and Websites.

Point total: 90/125