Wouldn't it be great to have a dog?
Yes! People who really know dogs, understand them well, and have included them in their families wouldn't trade the experience for the world. But pet ownership is a big responsibility and should not be taken on lightly.
The novelty of a new puppy can wear off quickly if you're inexperienced with the process of housebreaking.
Or haven't figured out how to deal with it's natural tendency to chew.
Or it grows up faster than you thought and isn't as cute anymore.
Or the neighbors complain about barking.
That's why breed rescues in Wisconsin are crowded with beautiful loving but unwanted pets.
What am I getting myself into?
Here are a few things to keep in mind before you adopt:
A puppy isn't a puppy very long. Expect your puppy to look like a dog when it is about six months old
And the dog will cost, on the average, $400 a year in medical expenses. At the very least, every dog needs
a visit to the vet in the spring for a heartworm check and booster shots.
All dogs need exercise twice a day, minimum. This means a decent walk and play time with you no matter how
tired you are or how nasty the weather is.
If you rent, will your landlord allow dogs? When you move, are you willing to put the time and effort into finding
a place that also accepts dogs? Answer "yes" to both questions or don't take on a commitment you can't honor for life
(which can be as long as 15 years or more for dogs).
When you go on vacation, the dog will have to be taken care of by someone else. Boarding kennels can cost $15 a day
or more. If you figure friends or family will help out, talk with them now, before you adopt.
Counting on a child to take responsibility for an animal is not enough. An adult in the family must make the primary
commitment to the dog's care.
You can't talk me out of it.
Great! With so many loving animals needing homes, we'd rather not. We just want to make sure that our animals have the best possible chance of finding permanent families.
We do our best to make sure the dog who wins your heart will be ready to join your family immediately:
All of our dogs are selected for good temperament.
They're vaccinated for distemper combination and, if they're old enough, rabies.
Each one has had a thorough physical, usually by our own veterinarians or by a vet tech.
Each one has tested negative for Heartworm, and is currently on HW prevention.
All have been spayed or neutered.
Most have had a microchip implanted for permanent identification (varies by rescue group).
What if things change and I can't take care of my adopted dog?
If only life was perfect. It isn't. We understand. As a past resident of a Wisconsin Dog Rescue Breed Rescue group, your dog always has a second home with us. If you become unable to handle the responsibility, please return your pet. We'll attempt to place it with another family.
EDUCATIONAL "PUPPY" LINKS