Although golden retrievers are very sociable, lovable dogs many of them end up in rescue centers each year for a variety of reasons
Although Golden Retrievers are very sociable, lovable dogs many of them end up in rescue centers each year for a variety of reasons. These centers are typically run by volunteers who care for the dogs until a new owner is found. You may have wondered if golden retriever adoption is a good option for you. We will look at the advantages and disadvantages of adoption and where you can find your dog if you do choose to adopt.
Should I Adopt a Golden Retriever?
The first question to ask yourself is whether adoption is a good path for you. If you have no dog ownership experience then you should not adopt a dog. Many of these Goldens have been mistreated and require good dog handling and training skills to make them well balanced retrievers again. Also you need to be certain that you are committed to long term ownership otherwise the dog will not be much better off in the long run. If you have owned dogs successfully in the past – ideally Golden Retrievers then you should definitely consider adoption. You will be putting your skills and experience towards improving one more dog’s life.
Why Do Goldens End Up in Rescue Centers?
Many abandoned dogs come from less responsible breeders who breed more puppies than they can sell. Some come from owners who neglect or mistreat their dogs. Sometimes it isn’t the owners fault for the dog’s position – the owner may be forced to move house or change locations where keeping a dog isn’t feasible.
Places Where You Can Adopt a Golden Retriever
There are two main places where abandoned Goldens end up: animal shelters and breed rescue centers. Animal shelters cater to a wider variety of pets (mostly cats and dogs) whereas breed rescue centers are places for just one particular breed of dog. If you don’t have one particular breed in mind animal rescue centers would be a good place to look. You would be able to select from a range of dogs and find the best one regardless of breed. If you are set on adopting a Golden Retriever then you should definitely contact breed rescue centers in your area and view some of the dogs. In most rescue centers the dogs still receive plenty of care from volunteer owners who often run foster homes for the dogs. If you do decide to adopt a dog, you will have to submit an application and you will receive a house visit to make sure you can provide a good home for your new dog.
For more information on golden retriever adoption check out my site at www.goldenretrieverinstruction.com where you can learn more about golden retriever adoption and how to be successful in your adoption application.