If you're thinking about bringing a new canine home for your family, consider adopting one from a shelter. You'll find shelters are filled with dogs that would make ideal companions if given the chance. Some are there because they became lost and were unable to find their way home. Others are there because their previous owners were unable to continue caring for them (e.g. they moved into an apartment with a "no pet" policy). A reputable shelter will take the time to make sure a pet in their care is a good match for you and your family.

This article will provide five important tips for adopting a shelter dog. The following suggestions will help ensure you bring home a healthy, happy, and affectionate canine.

When you are looking for a new canine companion to share your home and heart, rescuing a shelter dog is great decision. No matter what type of dog you are looking for, you are almost guaranteed to find it in today’s over-crowded animal shelters. The sad fact is that people not only surrender mixed breed dogs to the humane societies across the US, but there are also plenty of pure-bred dogs (and puppies!) that are looking for homes as well.