Small Dog Rescue Pets: Finding Your Furry Companion

Read this first if you are thinking about getting a rescue dog. After all, size does matter!  And, animal rescue organizations work diligently to place small dogs in loving homes.  By adopting a small dog, you will save a life and give a forever home to a deserted pet.  But, think about it!

You need to consider first things before adopting a rescue dog of any kind–small, medium, or large. Things like your own abilities, adult dog size, dog’s exercise needs, food and care costs, boarding costs, training costs, medical costs, landlord permission (if you rent), home and yard cleaning and repair (if you are buying), etc., etc., ad nauseam.  

Rescue organizations screen applicants so that dogs will go to good people and good homes. They usually have a formal application.  Also, they will do a reference check and home visit before okaying a dog adoption. This process is done so they can know that you’re a good match for the dog and vice versa. Because of this, you have to be ready–emotionally, physically, and financially–to give the pooch all the loving care and attention it will need.

By adopting a small dog, you are getting a new pet and a new best friend. Also, many rescue organizations offer adopter support and resources.  This often translates to training and behavior issues help and owner networking. It’s a double whammy–in a good way.  When you adopt a small rescue dog you are getting both good Karma and a faithful life companion.

Why Adopt a Small Dog?

That all being said, adopting a small dog is often a joyous experience. Small dogs are usually friendly, loving, obedient, cute and cuddly, and they have some pluses that many pet seekers are looking for.

Here are some of those pluses and reasons for adopting a small dog:

• Easy to Care for: Compared to their larger relatives, small dogs eat less food, are easier to exercise, and need less space. 
• Great Companions: Small dogs can be loving home and travel companions. They are loyal, affectionate, usually good with kids, and love to cuddle. 
• Less Expensive: Small dogs are less expensive than big dogs. They eat less food, damage less property, and typically have fewer health problems than big dogs. 
• Easy to Travel With: Small dogs are less travel trouble than bigger dogs. Small-breed dogs are definitely easier and more portable when it comes to road trips and vacations.
• Good for Seniors: Small-breed adult dogs are usually a comforting companion for seniors. These dogs are mostly less stubborn, more obedient, easier to handle, and need less space and outdoor exercise than big dogs.

If you want to adopt a small dog, there are many options to mull over. Two sources are your local pet shelter or go online to search dog rescue organizations. You can also work with a small dog rehoming service. Very important–do your research to find a breed companion that fits your lifestyle and capabilities.

Adopting a small breed dog should be a painless and rewarding experience. It should bring you a life of reward and lifelong happiness.  Experience the pure joy and great upsides that come with having a little furry friend by your side.  Please consider adopting a small-breed companion dog today if you can. 

Finding a Small Dog Rescue

The first step to adopting a small dog is finding and working with a good animal rescue facility. Here are some tips to guide you in the right direction.:

• Research online: Use websites like Petfinder or the AKC to search for small dog rescues in your area. These sites are great for searching for your new best friend.
• Ask for recommendations: Talk to your friends, family, and veterinarian for good information about small dog rescues near you.
• Check reviews: Look for good and not-so-good reviews about the rescue organizations you’ve researched online. This will give you some anecdotal insights that other small-breed dog adopters have experienced. In turn, doing this will give you a sense of the organization’s reputation and how well or not-so-well they treat homeless pets.

After you’ve looked into a few rescue organizations, it’s time to do your due diligence. Here are some things you ought to consider doing:

• Visit the facility: You can go to the rescue facility if not too far away to see whether or not the animals are properly housed and treated. Look for clean, well-maintained facilities and well fed, healthy animals.
• Ask about adoption fees: Adoption fees can vary widely. It’s important to know how much you’ll need to pay them and what your fees will cover.
• Ask about the adoption process: Each organization may have a different adoption process so it’s important to know what you’ll need to do.
• Ask about any requirements:  Things you need to know are like a preliminary home visit or reference checks.  Make sure you’re at ease with the whole process.

By doing your due diligence–and giving much thought to dog adoption–you will find a reputable small dog rescue center that will graciously help you find the perfect dog for you.

Thanks for visiting my pet blog, Pet Hooligans.  I hope this and the next post on preparing to bring your dog home will help you in your search for your new, small-breed best friend.  Visit again soon or hop on our newsletter where we bring you our latest posts, offers and news.