- More than 100,000 dogs await new owners in UK adoption shelters.
- Awareness campaign aims to show the great benefits of adopting a dog.

For many, the idea of adopting or ‘rescuing’ a dog carries with it a certain image. A notion of doing a good deed, taking on a problem dog or an ill treated animal with a multitude of behaviour and psychological issues is a common perception of dog adoption. The reality is very different.

Dogs end up in adoption shelters for a wide variety of reasons such as former owners no longer having the finances to keep a dog, ill health or death of previous owner or a major change of circumstance. Within the UK animal welfare system are literally tens of thousands of dogs who would – and indeed do – make superb, lifelong family pets. In fact, choosing a dog from a shelter has many advantages over and above buying a puppy. For one, new owners can often get a great appreciation of the dog’s personality, likes and dislikes. Secondly, adopting a dog enables owner to hone their selection criteria to ensure they are taking home the perfect dog for their lifestyle.

One of the major reasons why dogs actually end up in a shelter is because people often select the wrong dog for their particular lifestyle. Any dog adoption centre will work hard to avoid this happening so owners and dogs are very carefully matched.

National Dog Adoption Month is an initiative run in conjunction with the UK dog adoption website DogsBlog.com and Butcher’s Pet Care, manufacturers of healthy, natural nutrition for dogs.

One of the common reasons owners turn their dogs into shelters is because they are not prepared for dogs who get unsettled when being left alone. National Dog Adoption Month is as much about preventing more dogs going into shelters in avoidable circumstances as it is getting more dogs out of shelters and in to new, loving, permanent homes.

During the month, National Dog Adoption Month is promoting one very simple, very important message: ‘Dogs in rescue shelters are not damaged goods. They are normal, happy, fun filled dogs who simply need a new home with a new family’.

The campaign aims to completely dispel the myth that ‘rescue’ dogs need pity or sympathy. Or that dogs in shelters are somehow there due to problems in their makeup, physical or emotional. The national dog adoption website www.dogsblog.com shows, clearly, that adoption centres are full, literally to bursting point, with all manner of different dogs of different backgrounds of various personality types. National Dog Adoption Month aims to prove to all would-be dog owners that the dog of their dreams is in an adoption shelter somewhere. All they need to do is look.

Adopting a dog is a concept supported by a growing list of celebrities. UK artist Lilly Allen has previously adopted a dog from Battersea dogs home, George Michael, John Barrowman, Geri Haliwell and Drew Barrymore are just some of the stars who have also seen the great benefits to adopting a dog.

Throughout the month there will be a number of dog adoption success stories, local fund raisers/open days held by rescue shelters and various events designed to promote the benefit of adopting a dog.

The UK national dog adoption service DogsBlog.com is celebrating an incredible August as the site reports a staggering rise in the number of dogs adopted during the first ever national dog adoption month.

The website, which set up National Dog Adoption Month partnered with animal health company CEVA, has also reported:

• 227% month on month increase in number of dogs rehomed
• 282 dogs successfully placed in new, permanent homes
• 473 homing enquiries received during August, an increase of 194% on average months
• A ten-fold increase in the number of rescues applying to list their dogs on the site
• An 85% increase in the number of people prepared to accept professional advice for their dogs rather than give the animals up (preventing 36 dogs from entering the rescue system)
• Relieving the animal welfare sector of £684,484* of financial burden

There was more good news as the National Dog Adoption Month main campaign message of ‘not broke, doesn’t need fixing’ which was aiming to educate would-be dog owners that most rescue dogs are not damaged goods or problematic pets, reached more than 6m people in the UK thanks to a concerted media campaign.

DogsBlog.com and National Dog Adoption Month co-founder Ryan O’Meara was overwhelmed by the success of the inaugural event, “It’s fair to say National Dog Adoption Month has been a roaring success. So many people got behind the event and its key message. The most rewarding thing to any event or awareness campaign of this nature is not that the message was well delivered, but that the message actually worked!

Now there at least 282 dogs in new, permanent homes and who knows how many other people have felt encouraged to consider adopting a dog as a result of this campaign. We couldn’t be more pleased and only hope the message will stay with people that adopting a dog is not a second best or runner up method of acquiring a dog, it’s actually, for many people, the best way to get a dog.”

Adopting a dog is also attracting a number of celebrity dog owners. Amy Winehouse’s ‘Back to Black’ producer Mark Ronson has recently adopted and UK artist Lilly Allen is about to adopt a dog from Battersea dogs home, George Michael, John Barrowman, Geri Haliwell and Drew Barrymore are just some of the other stars who have enjoyed the enormous advantages of adopting a dog. Even US presidential candidate Barack Obama is being encouraged to adopt having promised his family a new dog regardless of whether he wins the presidential race or not.

Martin Clunes, who has just completed a book following the successful ITV documentary ‘One Man and His Dogs’ is another famous face happy to hear of the positive effect of National Dog Adoption Month, “Long may it continue, I’m all for animal adoption!”

Sky News presenter Charlotte Hawkins is also keen to emphasise the joy of adopting a dog, “My dog Bailey was in a dog pound and faced being destroyed if she hadn’t been rescued by a charity. I can’t imagine life without her now, she’s one of the family. I’m a big supporter of National Dog Adoption Month, and I’m really hoping it will help find homes for the many special dogs out there. Adopting a dog makes such a difference to their life, and in return you’ll get a loyal friend. They’ll make you fitter, happier, and healthier, and will give you lots of laughs along the way.”.

* According to annual kenneling costs of £6.65 per day per dog published by RSPCA in January 2008

[dipslay_podcast]

BBC Radio Leicester discusses the effects of the credit crunch on dogs plus advice on how to save money on dog ownership costs without compromising on canine care.

Dog Adoption Month founder Ryan O’Meara went to meet Stanley and discussed the problem of the credit crunch with the RSPCA and BBC Radio Derby’s Aleena Naylor.

Speaking on her blog site, the singer said:

I’m getting a dog from Battersea dogs home , i found her on the weekend , and after a visit from a rehoming officer hopefully, i’ll have her by next week . She’s called Honey and she’s quite fat (insert dogs like their owners joke here) , but very sweet , she’s a mongrel .

There were so many Stafforshire Bullies there it was so sad . People should really think about getting puppies from breeders or breeding them for that matter , if you saw all those poor dogs without a home with their sad little faces , you wouldn’t even think about buying dogs from people who profit.

Source:

If, like Lilly, you are interested in rehoming a dog, just take a look at some of the amazing canines waiting for new homes…

Latest dogs available for adoption

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1) Take advantage of experienced, expert dog advice from people who will go out of their way to make sure you are matched to the most suitable dog for your lifestyle.

2) Know your dog’s background. Contrary to the widespread myth that dogs in shelters are largely unknown quantities, the opposite may very well be more accurate. For those dogs who are in shelter for a period of time, the shelter staff themselves will be able to give you a great insight into the dog’s character, likes and dislikes. And even for those dogs who have recently arrived, it is not always the case that they come with no history. Often their owners are rehoming the dog due to a change of circumstance and will go out of their way to provide the shelter with bundles of historical information about the dog. The image of the dog tied up to the railings outside of the shelter with no background is certainly not the most common case of dogs in rescue.

3) Take your time getting to know ‘your’ dog before you even adopt. Ask to spend time walking the dog, playing with him or her and generally get a great feel for the dog you are going to spend the rest of your days with. This is a luxury that really only a rescue shelter can allow for and it is highly useful in enabling new dog owners to make the right choice, for life!

4) Prepare to be guided without being restricted on choice. With more than 100,000 dogs in shelter at any one time, it stands to reason that YOUR perfect dog is in a kennel somewhere just waiting to meet you. So, do your research, get a reasonably good idea of the type of dog you’re looking for and then be prepared to make a short list of dogs to go and visit. Via the comfort of your home, you can do this on www.dogsblog.com

5) Don’t believe the hype about puppies. Having a puppy is a good deal of fun. However, it really isn’t all it’s cracked up to be in terms of needing to get a dog from a puppy in order to have a solid, long lasting bond. Many owners are surprised (and shocked) to find out just how easily their dog will bond with no people if left in their care for a period of time. Puppies come with their own set of unique challenges and getting one is a decision not to be made lightly. Whatever you do though, please don’t assume that it is not possible to establish an equally strong bond and friendship for life with a dog of 6-months, 6-years or 16-years.

6) Get the ‘finished article’. Where else but in rescue could you find a housetrained, child friendly, basic trained, well socialised, animal tolerant, travel happy dog ready to take home for the cost of a small donation to a very worthy cause (subject to home check, of course)?

7) Don’t want a cross breed? No problem! For some, the image of rescue is that of kennels full of cross breeds of unknown parentage. Simply not true. If you want a pedigree breed, even some of the so-called ‘rarer’ breeds, they exist in rescue. Don’t believe it? Look here.

An unrivalled support network. Most rescue centres are so keen to ensure you and your dog lead a happy, problem-free life together, they are usually on hand to offer advice and support for as long as you may need it.

9) Don’t miss out on character building. Sure, it’s not the main reason to get a dog from a shelter but there’s no getting away from the fact, every time you look at your dog you will feel a sense of great pride and satisfaction that the happy, fulfilled life they lead with you is because you took the option to go visit the shelter. Watch your dog blossom before your very eyes and feel an extra sense of pride about the decision you made.

10) Don’t leave your choice of dog to the lottery of nature when you don’t have to! Getting a dog from a shelter enables you to do so, so, so much more in terms of assessing their suitability for you, your family, your home, your budget, your lifestyle. You’re not restricted by choice or by access to ‘problem’ dogs only. Dogs in rescue are not broke, they don’t need fixing. They just need a home.

For many, the idea of adopting or ‘rescuing’ a dog carries with it a certain image. A notion of doing a good deed, taking on a problem dog or an ill treated animal with a multitude of behaviour and psychological issues is a common perception of dog adoption. The reality is very different.

Dogs end up in adoption shelters for a wide variety of reasons such as former owners no longer having the finances to keep a dog, ill health or death of previous owner or a major change of circumstance. Within the UK animal welfare system are literally tens of thousands of dogs who would – and indeed do – make superb, lifelong family pets. In fact, choosing a dog from a shelter has many advantages over and above buying a puppy. For one, new owners can often get a great appreciation of the dog’s personality, likes and dislikes. Secondly, adopting a dog enables owner to hone their selection criteria to ensure they are taking home the perfect dog for their lifestyle. One of the major reasons why dogs actually end up in a shelter is because people often select the wrong dog for their particular lifestyle. Any dog adoption centre will work hard to avoid this happening so owners and dogs are very carefully matched.

National Dog Adoption Month is an initiative run in conjunction with the UK dog adoption website DogsBlog.com and D.A.P, which is a pheromone product that de-stresses dogs who may be in a period of transition. One of the common reasons owners turn their dogs into shelters is because they are not prepared for dogs who get unsettled when being left alone. National Dog Adoption Month is as much about preventing more dogs going into shelters in avoidable circumstances as it is getting more dogs out of shelters and in to new, loving, permanent homes.

During the month of August, National Dog Adoption Month is promoting one very simple, very important message: ‘Dogs in rescue shelters are not damaged goods. They are normal, happy, fun filled dogs who simply need a new home with a new family’.

The campaign aims to completely dispel the myth that ‘rescue’ dogs need pity or sympathy. Or that dogs in shelters are somehow there due to problems in their makeup, physical or emotional. The national dog adoption website www.dogsblog.com shows, clearly, that adoption centres are full, literally to bursting point, with all manner of different dogs of different backgrounds of various personality types. National Dog Adoption Month aims to prove to all would-be dog owners that the dog of their dreams is in an adoption shelter somwhere. All they need to do is look.

Adopting a dog is a concept supported by a growing list of celebrities. UK artist Lilly Allen is about to adopt a dog from Battersea dogs home, George Michael, John Barrowman, Geri Haliwell and Drew Barrymore are just some of the stars who have adopted a dog. Even US presidential candidate Barack Obama is being encouraged to adopt having promised his family a new dog regardless of whether he wins the presidential race or not.

Throughout the month of August there will be a number of dog adoption success stories, local fundraisers/open days held by rescue shelters and various events designed to promote the benefit of adopting a dog.

* To promote the concept of adopting a dog from a UK shelter
* To encourage and advise people on how to adopt a dog
* To provide information on caring for a dog responsibly
* To raise the profile of rescue organisations within local communities
* To promote the vast benefits and advantages of adopting a dog
* To advise on how to overcome common behavioural problems that often lead to dogs being rehomed

Information and Resources for Anyone Considering Adopting a Dog:

www.dogadoptionmonth.co.uk/advice

Promotional Graphics:

Promotional posters and graphics such as the one below can be downloaded and used throughout August by visiting:

www.dogadoptionmonth.co.uk/getinvolved/

Two-year-old Theo was brought into the charity’s animal adoption centre in Southampton in January this year after his owner’s circumstances changed and they could no longer look after him. Staff at the centre were impressed with Theo’s intelligence and inquisitive nature so when Dorset Police contacted them about finding a new canine recruit The Blue Cross introduced Theo as a likely candidate.

PC Glenn Batt and PC Andy Wallbridge from Dorset Police Dog Section visited the adoption centre to assess Theo and see if he would be suitable to train as a drugs search dog. Happily, they decided to take Theo on and put him through his paces at the Police Dog training School in Exeter.

Theo passed the intensive four-week training course with flying colours in June and is now qualified to search for drugs with two-legged partner PC Batt. At a later date, the pair will also begin training to recover firearms and unlawful cash.

Kellie Brooks, Blue Cross centre manager at Southampton said: “We were so proud to hear that Theo had qualified as a police dog. When he arrived at the centre it was clear that he was a very intelligent dog who needed new challenges so I’m sure he’ll thrive in his new role. Many animals come to The Blue Cross looking for a second chance in life so it is always wonderful when they go on to realise their full potential.”

PC Glen Batt said: “Theo has exceeded my expectations and I look forward to working with him in the fight against drugs for many years to come. I am grateful to The Blue Cross for giving Dorset Police the opportunity to realise Theo’s talent. Special thanks to Kellie and Tasha at The Blue Cross, Southampton for their enthusiasm and assistance”.”

See dogs looking for homes from the Blue Cross – Click here

Whilst the ‘designer dog’ craze continues to attract people who are easily tricked in to believing they are somehow getting an exotic or rare dog, people of sound mine and good taste have realised that dog shelters are full of nothing BUT cool, designer dogs.

Just look at some of the famous faces who have adopted a shelter dog:

Name: John Barrowman
Job: Actor
Dog: Jack Russell Terrier

Name: George Michael
Job: Musician
Dog: Labrador