07 Oct Second Chance: Did You Know… Puppies Grow?
Since 1994, the Animal Resource Center and the Shops of Second Chance Humane Society (SCHS) have been dedicated to serving animals in Southwestern Colorado. Adoption hours are every day from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The facility is located at 177 County Rd 10, Ridgway, CO. View shelter pets and services online at secondchancehumane.org.
View shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org
Donate here or mail to: PO Box 2096, Ridgway, CO, 81432.
Go here for more about Second Chance.
Ah, the bliss of puppies. Their sweet breath, loving cuddles, adorable antics, and, of course, irresistible faces! At Second Chance we no different from everyone else: puppies are the best, and when we have them at the shelter, we love spending time with them. It’s no secret that puppies get adopted faster than any other pet, but did you know that they’re also the most likely to be returned?
Sometimes, it happens as quickly as within a month, when adopters fall for the cuteness and don’t realize how much work a puppy is. More commonly, they’re returned a year or two later, when they’re all grown-up.
We hold these truth to be self-evident: Puppies get older, and when they do, they get bigger, like any other animal. They don’t stay tiny forever, though they’ll always be cute! Yet, even though those fact of life seem obvious, that is one of the most common reasons people return dogs. Maybe they didn’t realize how big they would get, or they didn’t think about having an adult dog when they brought a puppy into their apartment. Whatever the reason, when adopting, it’s important to think about the dog’s entire life. Adoption is a lifelong commitment.
Of course, we understand that sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan. Circumstances can change in ways no one could anticipate, and sometimes returning a dog to the shelter may be the safest or most responsible option. Losing a job, a major change in housing, a serious family situation, or other unexpected hardships can make caring for a pet difficult or impossible. We would much rather have someone reach out for help than keep a dog in a situation where its needs can no longer be met. The goal isn’t to make anyone feel guilty for facing an unavoidable change; it’s to encourage adopters to think carefully about the commitment they’re making and, whenever possible, prepare for the changes that may come along the way.
Oftentimes, dogs adopted as puppies and returned as adults struggle to find homes during their second stay at the shelter. They’re no longer the tiny, adorable babies they were the first time, and now they face the same challenges as other adult dogs. By adopting a puppy, keeping it for the first year of its life, and then bringing it back, you may make it more difficult for that dog to find a forever home. This is often avoidable! Don’t adopt a puppy if you are not prepared to keep it for the rest of its life, no matter how much those puppy eyes tempt you!
When you’re at the shelter with a puppy in your lap, consider the following before completing an application and walking out the door: Are you prepared to keep this dog for the next eight to 15 years, even if it grows up to be nearly 80 pounds?
Most of the time, shelters don’t know a puppy’s breed and therefore can only make educated guesses about its eventual size,. Do you plan on moving during this dog’s lifetime? If so, will you be able to take it with you? Will you be able to find pet-friendly housing and pay any associated fees? Keep breed restrictions in mind, especially in large cities and apartment complexes. Do you plan on starting a family, and if so, will you be able to manage a dog and an infant?
Those questions are crucial to consider before adoption. It may seem over the top to think about your life 10 years in the future, but doing so will help ensure a happy, long life for the dog you’re bringing home. Responsible adoption doesn’t only benefit one animal. Emptying one kennel keeps it open for another in the future and helps us help more homeless pets in need.
Riley is a young dog who was adopted from us as a puppy and returned as an adult. Now, he’s looking for a forever home to call his own! He’s sweet, active, and up for any kind of adventure. Meet him today!
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