Adopt don’t shop!
The breeders don’t need you, but the rescue dogs do
Every year, thousands of dogs find themselves unwanted, abandoned and neglected, dumped in shelters and kennels where they’re left confused and frightened while they wait for a second chance. Choosing to adopt a dog rather than buy one is a compassionate, rewarding and life-saving act that truly makes a difference.
At Underdog, we pride ourselves in taking the greatest care to match families to a dog that will thrive in their home, taking into account many factors to ensure both you and your new dog are set up for success. It’s all about finding the right dog for you. So, here’s why we are firmly Team Adopt.
You save not one life, but two. Adopting a dog means that there’s also room for another abandoned pup to take their place in the shelter, so your decision to adopt positively impacts two lives, three if you include yours!
You’re not contributing to a bigger problem. Did you know that the stray dog population is estimated to be over 200 million? Buying dogs fuels demand, and this problem is exacerbated by backyard breeding, irresponsible dog ownership, and lack of education. Adopting a dog means you’re changing the life of an animal that truly needs help. As the saying goes, adopting one dog won’t change the world, but for that one dog, the world will change forever.
You’re setting a wonderful example. We know how rewarding the experience of adopting a dog can be, but there’s no one better to educate their friends and family about the wonder of rescue dogs than you. And if you have children, educating them from a young age about ethical and responsible dog ownership is such a valuable and meaningful lesson.
Myth Busting
Rescue dogs are broken. Many of our dogs have lived in homes before and are actually already housetrained, well socialised, and adore people. Of course, there are some dogs who have a tougher time adjusting due to past trauma, and we take care to match you with a dog you have the right level of experience for. Without training and socialisation, any dog can struggle. Rescue dogs are not predisposed to behavioural issues, they just require some patience and understanding to adjust. We spend time assessing the temperament and personality of each dog in our care in order to match them to a suitable home, and unlike many breeders, we offer lifetime back up and behavioural support.
You can’t get puppies in rescue. Actually, a staggering amount of the dogs we rehome are puppies. Unwanted puppies, abandonment and irresponsible breeding are just a few of the ways entire litters end up in our care. From a few months old to golden oldies, we see dogs of all shapes, sizes, ages and breeds come through our doors.
Rescue charities are too strict. Unfortunately, we understand this has been the experience of many people who have tried to adopt a dog from elsewhere in the past, but so many families have been able to find their perfect match with the support of Underdog. We don’t have strict rules that deny families the option to adopt, we assess each and every application on a case by case basis. This means that if you have children, cats, no garden, live in apartment, or have a full-time job, you can still apply to adopt and we can help find you the right dog and suggest achievable accommodations to support their integration.
I want a specific breed of dog. There are thousands of rescue organisations dedicated to specific breeds, so it is absolutely possible to find a purebreed dog in a shelter. In our case, we deal with all kinds of dogs, which often includes specific breeds. Over the years we have rehomed Golden Retrievers, Poodles, Pointers, French Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Cocker Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Basset Hounds, Greyhounds and Shiba Inus! Sometimes you might have to wait a bit longer for these breeds to crop up, but if we don’t think we can help you we can point you towards another breed specific rescue who can. You can still help a purebred dog in need without lining the pocket of a breeder.
