Simply put: #AdoptDontShop
Keep reading if you want some convincing that rescuing a dog is what you need!
Top 5 reasons to rescue
[be rescued]
How can you say no to that C.U.T.E wittle face and WigglyButts?
All of those WigglyButts yearn for is a cozy place to call home. Yet, due to health concerns, many “no-kill” shelters can euthanize up to 10% of their four legged residents. According to NPR, the current save rate is estimated to be around 69%. There are initiatives popping up around the country with an aim to bring the save rate to a whopping 90% by the year 2025.
Not a day goes by that isn’t filled with adventure, happiness and love when you have a pooch. They wait ALL day to serenade you as you walk through that doorway. They wait to see the look on your face as they steal your shoes or toast. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
We have been rescued by our very own shelter pooch and life has never been the same. Now it is your turn!
Rescuing a dog does not have to be from the humane society , or the ASPCA. There are rescues for purebreds. There are rescues for disabled doggies. There are rescues for dogs that need behavioral rehab due to being mistreated.
If you are looking for a specific dog, personality, or lifestyle, then there is a dog waiting to be rescued by you.
Not convinced? Well here are a few more nudges toward rescuing a WigglyButts.
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Save a life
Yes, simply put, you will be saving a life. We just talked about the kill rates! Nearly four million pooches find themselves in shelters each year and over a million are euthanized.
Saving a life acts as a domino effect. You’re not just saving one life. By adopting a pooch you are creating a vacancy for another pooch to have a second chance… So what is stopping you from finding your inner hero?
Can you look back into your life a know for sure that you have saved at least two “random” lives from death?
Better yet, let yourself be rescued!
There is a good chance that this rescue pooch is going to wiggle their butt into your heart. Who is saving whom here?
Just remember: Rescuing just one dog means that you are saving two dogs! Plus putting smiles on all of the faces around you when they learned of your good deed plus now they get to play with your doggo!
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Your Health
Adopting a pooch is accompanied with a myriad of health benefits including but not limited to decreasing blood pressure. Think about it, your roommate or teenagers may act like animals, but are they truly elated to see you come through the door?
The joy alone that accompanies a dog can decrease blood pressure, lift spirits and decrease the overall feeling of anxiety.
Speaking of following, you will never feel lonely. So you can cross depression off of your feelings list. Pooches make faithful sidekicks and will always…well…be kicking your side.
Are you in the market for a gym buddy? As mentioned before, I know where you can find a running buddy for a small fee. Trust me, it will be cheaper than joining a running club, plus it adds another level of discipline to your routine. So no cheating! You will now have an instant work out buddy.
How many steps have you taken today? Why not challenge your pooch? After all… Baxter was sleeping all day!
There are many ways to track your fitness, why not track your dog’s fitness too? You both can work to improve each other’s quality of life.
Ways that rescuing a dog will improve your health include , but definitely is not limited to:
- Regulating blood pressure [which in turn can decrease the risk of heart attack or stroke]
- Decrease anxiety or eliminate loneliness
- Increase physical activity
- Increase your laughter and smile factor
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Personalities
Going to an animal shelter is like speed dating [Sayyyy whaaaatttt]. You don’t just take the first option that wiggles their butt in your direction [although it may be difficult to resist].
Picture yourself walking down the aisles and checking out the prospects.
As fate would have it… your eyes lock. BOOM! Chemistry! That slobbery charm, the tap dancing paws, and the hairdo speaks to your personality. Next thing you know you are introducing your new found love to the family…need I say more?
There are personality types for everyone at the shelter. Plus personalities are influenced by those around them. So if you treat them well and love them, then you will receive the all desired wet kiss or paw shake of approval in return from your faithful WigglyButts.
What is your personality type?
- Athletic
- Outdoorsy
- Laid back
- Couch potato
- Stroll in the park
- Social butterfly
Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, there is a dog for you waiting to be rescued.
Speaking of dating though, rescuing a dog is a great way to meet people. If you strike up a conversation with someone while you are out and about with Fido, then there is a good chance you have at least one thing in common.
Still not convinced? Well, there’s more!
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Financial perks of rescuing
Cha-Ching!! Store fronts and breeders usually attach a hefty price tag to their puppies. That price tag does not include spaying or neutering nor does it include immunizations.
To be fair, reputable breeders with often include immunizations in the price of the dog, but there is a significant markup in the price tag.
When adopting from a rescue group, adoption fees are significantly reduced. In addition to the discount, these cute WigglyButts are spayed or neutered, up to date with shots, and already micro-chipped. As an added bonus, many shelter pooches may already have a bit of training.
Who doesn’t love saving money?
What about now? Have I sold you on checking out your local animal shelter or other rescue groups? No. Seriously, have I?
Head down to a shelter and take a look for yourself. The pitiful eye glimmer, cheesy crooked smiles, WigglyButts, and persuasive head tilts will definitely do the trick!
fun fact: did you know there are rescues dedicated to pure bred lines?
Yes, no kidding. There are rescue groups for specific breeds. This means you can still be a rescue hero and find a Wigglybutt specific to your needs.
And now, you know.
Understand that every pooch is an individual. While rescue dogs have seen a different world than that of expensive shops, they all want to be loved.
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Adopt. Don’t shop.
How does this motto help dogs who are in need of a home? With each adoption through a shelter, that is one more adoption that does not support the cruelties of puppy mills.
The adoption of one dog saves the life of two dogs: one gets a fur-ever home and a space becomes available to help another dog in need.
What about the puppies in mills? They are mistreated and need a home too! Yes, many of these pups are living in sub-optimal, even extremely poor conditions. We need to work toward shutting down puppy mills. Supporting puppy mills encourages animal cruelty, neglect, and over breeding [to name a few].
The harsh truth…
Not all rescues are the most obedient or in tip top health, but neither are the pooches of puppy mills or high end shops. The difference is that animal shelters are straight forward about the Wigglybutts they are trying to place into home.
Shelters and rescue groups treat the animals thy care for with love and respect. These animals are treated like family and as though they already have a home. Most, if not all, of the employees are volunteers.
Shelters and rescue groups are working toward a better tomorrow for these animals, not producing pups for a buck.
Puppy mills and shops are open to make money. Buying merchandise from their shops only encourages them to continue selling under aged puppies. Yes, amongst other problems, many puppies sold at mills are taken away from their mother and littler mates, WAY too early so they can appeal to the crowd.
summary
Share your love with a rescue and be loved. Simply put: #AdoptDontShop !
Share your stories, tag us @myWigglyButts and use #MyWigglyBuddies on insta to be featured rescue!
I see some of you may be unsure about how ready you are for the commitment.
Well I’ll tell you what… since you made it to end of this post then that means you should give yourself more credit. You are more ready than you think. If you are still not convinced you can commit, then consider fostering a dog.
Shelters and rescue groups can only house a certain number of dogs at any given times. So they depend on foster parents to step in to help.
Many foster programs will cover the cost of care so that ther is no out of pocket expense for necessities and they put on adoption events for the dogs to find their furrever homes.
See… happiness for everyone!
Have you been rescued or considering rescuing a WigglyButts? Tell me below!
