pet adoption essay

Reasons for Pet Adoption

• Pet Adoption Resources
• Puppy Mills

Pet adoption is a lifesaving and heart-expanding endeavor. And there are so many rewards of adopting a pet, including saving the life of a homeless pet and providing them with love and companionship, addressing community issues such as cat and dog overpopulation, and making room for shelters and rescue groups to save more pets.

When you adopt a pet , you are also doing your part to put an end to puppy mills and other inhumane breeding practices where animals often live in cramped conditions without much quality of life. Backyard breeders and pet mills are notorious for overbreeding dogs. And some cat breeders have also been found to have mill-like conditions, where adult animals are bred over and over for the sole purpose of churning out pets for sale.

Adopting a pet can also positively impact a person’s life, and the physical and mental health benefits of having a pet are worth noting. More exercise, play, and outdoor time can improve a person’s mood and increase their socialization as they meet other people (and pets) on daily walks. In addition, an increase in exercise through daily walking can improve physical fitness and health conditions. Plus, a pet can provide friendship and companionship that can help with loneliness and depression.

If you can’t adopt a pet right now, you can still reap these benefits. There are plenty of dogs, cats, and other pets at animal shelters and rescue groups who need daily walks and attention.

As you can see, there are countless reasons for pet adoption — and there are many homeless dogs and cats in shelters and rescue groups across the country who need a loving home. These animals are deserving of our love, attention, and care. And their benefits for us abound as well.

Adopt a Pet

Benefits of adopting vs. buying

When you adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue organization instead of buying a pet, you are providing a home for a pet in need and freeing up space for more animals to be saved. Every day, dogs and cats are killed in America’s shelters simply because they don’t have safe places to call home. That means when you adopt an animal, you are gaining a loving companion and saving a life at the same time.

By adopting a pet, you’re also taking a stand against puppy mills, which are cruel, inhumane factory farms for dogs where quick profits take precedence over the well-being, health, and security of the animals.

Puppy mill dogs live in cramped quarters, and female dogs are bred continuously to produce as many puppies as possible to turn a quick profit for the retail pet trade. Ultimately, the focus is on money and not on the welfare of the animals.

While more and more Americans oppose this inhumane practice, there are still thousands of puppy mills in existence in this country today. Many people don’t realize that when they buy a dog online or from a pet store, that dog might have come from a puppy mill. Adopting a pet is a lifesaving alternative and a wonderful way to protest pet mills and advocate for animals.

Animal adoption has also become more affordable (thanks to reduced fees and free adoption events) and accessible. These days, adoptable animals are easy to find on websites like Petfinder and Adopt a Pet , which feature pets in shelters and rescue groups around the U.S. There are also plenty of other online resources where you can adopt a pet near you , searching from the comfort of your home.

The cost to acquire and care for a dog or cat is worth considering. Buying a pet can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars while adoption is generally cheaper, and there could be additional veterinary costs associated with animals who come from a pet store or breeder. For example, because puppy mills cut corners on health and welfare, dogs purchased from such a facility often end up with health problems.

If you are looking for a specific breed of dog, you don’t have to shop for one. There are breed-specific rescue groups all around the U.S. that specialize in the kind of dog you want whom you can adopt. You can also adopt a purebred dog at a shelter .

Furthermore, many animal shelters and rescue groups spay or neuter their dogs and cats before their adoption, as well as vaccinate and microchip their animals. This can mean hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in additional savings when you adopt a pet as opposed to buying one.

Pet adoption saves lives, and it frees up space in shelters so more lives can be saved. It is also the more ethical, thoughtful, and caring way to bring a pet into your life.

Benefits of adopting a pet

Pet adoption positively impacts the lives of homeless animals, as well as the people who adopt them.

Adopting an animal often provides new opportunities for social interaction and connection with other people who have pets. It can decrease social isolation and loneliness; improve physical health through exercise, play, and new fitness routines; and improve one’s mental health, emotional stability, and overall sense of well-being thanks to the unconditional love of a companion animal.

A pet can also produce a calming effect on a person. For example, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine , “simply petting a dog lowers the stress hormone cortisol, while the social interaction between people and their dogs actually increases levels of the feel-good hormone oxytocin (the same hormone that bonds mothers to babies).”

Moreover, pets can provide value to their family and community as emotional support animals and therapy pets. They can help people with a host of conditions, including diabetes, autism, cancer, and PTSD. And they can visit people at homes, hospitals, nursing homes, care facilities, schools, and throughout the community. In addition, rescuing animals can be a great tool for parents to teach their children about responsibility; animal care; and the necessity for routine healthy nutrition, exercise, and playtime.

A rescued pet can also reduce stress and anxiety . For instance, studies have shown that eye contact with your dog can release oxytocin — known as the love hormone — which can relieve both anxiety and depression.

In a report on the power of pets, the National Institutes of Health said that interacting with animals can lower blood pressure. Other studies have found that pets can improve overall heart health and reduce the risk of certain heart-related diseases.

A rescued pet also can give a person a renewed sense of purpose and provide them with unconditional love. Dogs and cats are incredible companions, and they really have a positive impact on our overall health and well-being.

Why is shopping for a pet bad?

When people adopt a pet, they are saving a life. When they buy a pet, a homeless pet misses out on the chance at a loving home. And buying pets supports an industry that thrives on disregarding the welfare of animals.

Puppy and kitten mills (which sell to pet stores) are in business to make a profit, so they churn out puppies and kittens as fast as they can. These animals are often in ill health and have problems, such as poor socialization skills due to a lack of human companionship and genetic defects due to inbreeding.

This inhumane breeding and selling of animals through pet stores and in classified ads has been going on for decades. Breeders have also headed online. They sell dogs and cats — born and bred in cruel conditions — through social media channels, in online neighborhood groups, and through online classifieds.

The minimal standards imposed on breeders by the federal government don't promote responsible breeding or ensure healthy puppies and kittens. These government standards also do not address quality of life for the animal; rather, they are about the bare minimum of care. For example, it is perfectly legal for a licensed breeder to own 1,000 or more dogs, keep those dogs confined for the entirety of their lives in small cages, and breed them as often as possible. There are also only a handful of inspectors in each state for all of the state's licensed breeding facilities.

Most puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy mills, and most websites that sell dogs are selling mill-bred pets. It is also important to note that most of these sites market their pets as being well-bred and lovingly raised. Be alert to ads that list several breeds of dogs for sale. It is also a bad sign if a breeder won't let you come visit the pet so that you can see where the animal lives and how they’ve been raised and cared for.

The best way to safeguard against supporting a puppy or kitten mill is never to buy an animal from a pet store or online and instead adopt a dog or cat from a shelter or animal rescue group. Do note though that some pet stores have dogs and cats who are available for adoption through shelters or rescue groups.

Factors to consider before adopting a pet

Whether you head to your local shelter or a rescue group to adopt a dog, cat, bird, or other animal, think about the kind of pet who will be the best match for you, your family, your lifestyle, and even your energy level and health.

For instance, if you have a lot of time and patience and are willing to dedicate yourself to training a dog, then adopting a puppy might be a good fit. On the other hand, you might consider a more relaxed animal — e.g., an older dog or cat — if you want a slower pace of life. Either way, animal shelters and pet rescue groups have lots of cats, kittens, puppies, dogs, and other animals to choose from.

Adopting a pet is a decision that must be taken seriously. Pets need daily social interaction, play, exercise, training, financial support for vet bills and routine medical care, food, toys, supplies, and even pet-sitting and lodging expenses should you go out of town.

You also need to consider the temperament of the pet and how the animal will get along with other household pets or pets in your community. Some animals need time and training to be well-mannered around people and other pets while others are polite social butterflies. Animal shelters and rescue groups sometimes list their pets’ temperament and activity level on their adoption profiles, which can be helpful information for your search to adopt a pet.

Where you live is also a factor to consider in pet adoption. For instance, if you’re considering a high-energy dog, make sure you have ample space for the dog to run and play and a neighborhood where you can take them for long walks. Low-energy pets who need less activity time might be better suited for smaller spaces.

Advocating for pets

You can advocate for pets and protest puppy mills through a host of puppy mill initiatives from Best Friends Animal Society. We are working to convince pet stores to offer pets for adoption instead of selling mill-bred pets, educate consumers about puppy mills, and create and lobby for humane legislation. Together, we're making an impact and saving lives. You can join us and help bring about a time when every pet can feel safe, happy, and loved.

Why fight the puppy mill problem? More than 1,000 dogs and cats were killed in U.S. shelters every day in 2023, simply because they did not have safe places to call home. One of the most effective and easiest ways a person can help Save Them All is by choosing to adopt a dog or cat instead of purchasing a pet.

When you adopt, you're not only refusing to support puppy mills, but you’re also saving a life and giving an animal in need the second chance he or she deserves.

There are more ways you can help fight puppy mills:

• Learn more about the puppy mill problem, and find the tools and resources to help fight puppy mills.
• Download this flyer about puppy mills to share with your friends, family, and other people, and encourage them to adopt their next furry friend.
• Make a gift to Best Friends Animal Society to be part of our efforts to end puppy mills.

Advocate for Homeless Pets

Adopt a pet and save a life

We have all heard stories from people who say their adopted pet actually rescued them. An adopted animal is often the very best kind of pet, and animal adoption brings so many mental, physical, and emotional benefits into our lives.

Animal adoption is a lifesaving act that gives pets second chances and happy homes. Last year alone, around 400,000 dogs and cats were killed in our nation's shelters just because they didn’t have safe places to call home. But it doesn't have to be that way. An estimated 17 million people will add a new pet to their family this year. If more of them would choose to adopt a pet instead of buying one, we could bring every community across this country to no-kill.

Whether you adopt a dog or cat from your municipal shelter or an animal rescue group, there are so many animals of all sizes, breeds, types, and ages in need of a loving home. You can also help curtail animal overpopulation issues in your community and the killing of animals in shelters when you adopt a pet instead of buying a pet. Animal adoption also means addressing issues related to puppy mills and inhumane breeding facilities.

By saying no to shopping for a pet and saying yes to animal adoption, you’re giving a voice to animals in need around the U.S., and you're being part of the incredible movement to Save Them All .

©2024 Best Friends Animal Society . All Rights Reserved...

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Adopting a Pet for a Balanced Life Essay

Introduction, adopting a pet.

Human beings have always been viewed as social creatures and their interaction with others plays a very pivotal role in their personal growth and development. Our intense need to feel some warmth and connection is, therefore, necessary for a balanced life. It is for this reason that we surround ourselves with friends and socialize with other members of society. However, one cannot always count on his fellow human beings to be available to provide companionship and the feeling of warmth. One can on the other hand be relatively certain that his pets will be there to provide some form of companionship when he needs it. It is with these undertones that I shall set out to talk about the pet that I would prefer to adopt. I shall also aim to positively influence my friend to adopt a pet for herself as well.

My pet of choice is a dog, an animal that I have always been fond of since I was a little girl. Dogs have always been tagged as “man’s best friend” mostly due to their loyalty and sometimes affectionate nature. My main attraction to the dog as my pet of choice is the companionship attribute as well as the loyalty that seems to be innate in all breeds of dogs. While I do reside with a significant other, my house tends to get eerily quiet at times and it is in my hope that a pet dog will dispense of this and bring in some warmth. The playful nature of the dog will also ensure that I am preoccupied with a significant part of my evenings thereby helping me to relax by taking my mind off the stresses of the day.

Bricklin(1999) asserts that caring for a pet is a significant commitment and as such, one has to be willing to keep regular hours, spend time caring for the animal and also invest a significant amount of money in the animal’s health and food costs. While I will be able to cater adequately to my pet’s health and food needs, my busy daily schedule leaves me with little time to spare. As a result of this, it would make sense for me to chose a pet dog that does not require too much attention and one whose maintenance is not too involving. The particular dog that I intend to get is the Maltese Dog. Unlike other dog breeds that shed their fur frequently and in substantial quantities, the Maltese Dog breed sheds only sparingly, therefore, making it an ideal pet for me as it requires little effort cleaning after. Additionally, the Maltese are considered to be a hypoallergenic breed which means that I will not have to worry about my friends developing allergic reactions as a result of exposure to my new pet.

As can be alluded from the discussion above, a pet would be a valuable addition to you Susan, my long term friend and neighbor. However, I do concede that my needs and your needs are different, and for example, you already have children and therefore do not lack warmth or laughter in your house. I, therefore, recognize that you would require a different appeal to invest in a pet. For a person with a family like you, a pet would an ideal play partner for your kids. This would not only keep your children fully engaged while you undertake other issues but it would also bring joy and keep entertained your active children.

Another advantage of having a pet dog is that since it requires regular exercise, you as the owner will be obliged to take it for regular walks. In the modern-day that we live in, we are mostly so hard-pressed with issues both at work and at home that we forfeit the very important task of looking after our bodies by regularly exercising. As such, a pet will be beneficial to you as well since you will be exercising even as you engage in regular walks. In my opinion, a pet can indeed be the anchor that keeps us from drifting into the sea of unfitness.

Having decided on what pet to adopt, the question arises as to where to get the physical pet from. According to the Humane Society of the United States (2009), an organization that facilitates the adoption of animals from animal shelters and rescue groups, adopting a pet from a shelter is more advantageous than buying one from a pet store or breeder. When you get your pet from a shelter or rescue group, it will be at a lower cost than if you were to buy it from a pet store. The pet is also more likely to have been vaccinated and de-wormed therefore ensuring that you obtain a healthy pet for yourself (Bricklin, 1999).

In this paper, I set out to identify the pet I plan on adopting and further discuss the reasons as to why it would be my ideal pet. To this end, I have identified a Maltese Dog, a small affectionate dog, as my pet of choice. I then proceeded to discuss the implications that having a pet might carry. Additionally, I have set out to persuade my friend to adopt a pet for herself as well. From this paper, it is clear that adopting a pet is a significant issue and as such, one should take their time when choosing the perfect pet. One should then provide a loving and safe environment for the pet and having done so, you can be assured that the pet will reciprocate by being a dependable and loyal addition to your house.

Bricklin, M. (1999). Pets, Part of the Family: The Total Care Guide for All the Pets in Your Life, USA: Rodale.

The Humane Society of the United States (2009). Adopting From an Animal Shelter or Rescue Group. Web.

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IvyPanda. (2021, March 18). Adopting a Pet for a Balanced Life. https://ivypanda.com/essays/adopting-a-pet-for-a-balanced-life/

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What is Better: Buying Pets or Adoption

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Pet Adoption Papers – How To Ace Your Dog Adoption Application

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Nothing is more rewarding than adopting a dog from a shelter and providing a loving forever home for them. But, instead of strolling into the nearest rescue to pick a dog, you will have to fill out pet adoption papers first and then wait to get approved. 

If you think that adopting a dog will be fast and easy, you are in for a big surprise!

Shelters and rescue organizations have high standards and strict rules, and they aren’t afraid to reject seemingly perfect adoption applications. But this is only because they want to make sure that every dog ends up with a loving owner who will provide a life-long home. 

Filling out a dog adoption application is just the first, but not the easiest, step in the adoption process.

Furthermore, most adoption applications are rather lengthy and you might feel like some questions are inappropriately intrusive.

Still, disclosing your personal information is a small price to pay for the privilege of saving a dog’s life and adopting a “fur-ever friend.” 

In this article, I will explain how a dog adoption application looks and tell you how to fill out each part of the form.

I will also share with you some tips that helped me refine my own adoption application. Hopefully, they will work for you too, and improve your chances of gaining approval from the rescue.  

How To Fill Out A Pet Adoption Papers

Adoption is a wonderful way to welcome a new dog into your family. And with so many dogs waiting in shelters and rescue organizations for forever homes, you would imagine that adopting one is a very straightforward process. However, that’s not really the case.

Shelters and animal rescues are infamous for having an extensive dog adoption form, which may seem too intrusive at first.

But, while the process might seem lengthy and off-putting, it’s important to remember that these organizations have the dog’s best interests at heart.

Their sole goal is to match dogs with their prospective owners and to ensure they’ll end up in a forever home. 

Knowing how to fill out the adoption application and what questions you’ll need to answer will bring you one step closer to adopting your new dog.

Below, I’m going to explain what a standard adoption application looks like and help you fill it out.

Contact Information

The first part of every pet adoption form is fairly straightforward. In this section, you will need to list your contact information including your name, address, email, and phone number, so the organization has a way of reaching you. 

Bear in mind, legally you have to be at least 18 years old to adopt a dog . However, some organizations have higher standards and won’t allow you to adopt if you are under 21. 

While this might seem unfair, it makes a lot of sense when you think about it. At this age, it is very hard to predict where you will be in a few years – you might go off to a college or move into a no-pets-allowed building.

If this happens, you will have to find a new home for your dog or, in the worst-case scenario, return it to the shelter. 

Being under 21 doesn’t mean that your adoption application will be rejected automatically, but it does lower your chances significantly.

However, if you are confident that you will be able to provide a life-long home and properly care for a dog, go ahead and fill out the entire application.

Your Living Situation

The next part of the dog adoption form focuses on the living situation, and you’ll have to state whether you own or rent the place where you are currently living.

You don’t have to be a homeowner to adopt a pet, but the shelter will want to check to be sure you are permitted to keep pets on the property. 

Countless dogs and cats have to be surrendered to shelters because of landlords and no-pet policies.

So, if you are renting, the shelter will want to verify whether you have permission to keep a dog at your current residence and will ask for your landlord’s contact information.

Furthermore, even if you are allowed to keep pets, many landlords have limitations when it comes to the size, weight, and breed of a dog you can keep.

For example, your lease agreement may allow you to own just one dog that weighs less than 30 pounds. 

Working Hours

Having a dog means that you will need to interact and spend quality time with them every day.

This part of the adoption application includes questions about your occupation and working hours.

While you won’t have to state where you work, you’ll be asked to estimate how much time your dog will spend home alone.

This might seem like a tricky question. On one hand, you have to be financially stable in order to own a dog, but at the same time, you shouldn’t leave a dog alone at home for too long. 

Truth be told, if you have long working hours, or if you travel a lot for business, chances are that your application will be rejected.

While you don’t have to quit your job or be unemployed in order to adopt a dog, you won’t be able to work 12-hour shifts either. 

Some rescues can be very strict with who they place their dogs. I spoke with a rescue at a local pet adoption and they told me they only adopted to people who either did not work and stayed home most of the day or worked from home.

Here’s an article we wrote about raising a puppy while working full-time .

Your Family

Adopting a dog is a big step and will have an impact on your entire family. Therefore, the shelter will want to determine what type of dog will be the best fit for you and your family. 

In this section of the adoption application, you will need to list all the people your dog is going to live with, and if the entire family has agreed on the adoption.

Also, if you have kids, or if you have children visiting often, the shelter will likely want to know about it. 

Your answers to these questions can help the shelter understand your family’s dynamics.

If you are an active family, an active dog breed might be a perfect choice. On the other hand, a senior or low-energy breed can be a better option if you lead a more sedentary lifestyle. 

Your Current Pets

If you already have pets, you will have to think about them before you decide to adopt a new one.

Some cats and dogs can’t get along, and many prefer being the sole pet in the household. So, if you already have pets, don’t forget to mention them on your adoption papers.

This way, the shelter can match you with a dog that will get along with the pets you already have.

Furthermore, if you have any smaller pets such as guinea pigs or hamsters, mention them as well. Certain dog breeds have a strong prey drive and your smaller pets might end up being harmed.

Personal References

In this part of the adoption application, you will be asked to provide accurate contact information for your personal references.

You should choose your references carefully since they can have a lot of sway on whether or not your application will be approved or rejected. 

A person reviewing your adoption application will have a lot of questions for your references, so it is in your interest to list people who know you well.

Listing a reference who won’t answer the phone or who will be uninterested reflects badly on you as a potential pet owner. 

Ideally, your references should be people who have known you for a few years at least and know how passionate you are about adopting a dog.

These people should be your biggest supporters and leave a glowing review that will convince the shelter’s staff that you are the best person to adopt the dog you are interested in.

Tips For Acing Your Dog Adoption Application

If you are serious about adopting a dog, you have probably heard that rescues and shelters don’t just hand out approvals.

In fact, there are many cases when prospective owners did everything right and still ended up rejected by the organization. Luckily, there are ways you can increase your chances of adopting the dog of your dreams.

Here are some tips that can help you get your adoption application approved:

1. You Must Have A Fenced Yard

Most dog adoption applications will ask if you have a fenced-in backyard and how tall your fence is.

While this might seem like a standard question to you, a fenced backyard is a must as far as shelters and rescues are concerned. So, even if you meet all other requirements except this one, your application will probably be declined. 

A fenced yard is extremely important if you want to own a dog and will serve as a safe place for your dog to run and play.

If your home doesn’t have a backyard or you can’t put up a fence, you will have to convince the shelter that you can provide enough exercise for your dog in other ways. 

2. Keep Your Pets Up To Date On All Shots

If you state that you have any other pets at home, the rescue will call your vet to check if their vaccinations are up to date .

Furthermore, most organizations have a strict policy regarding spaying and neutering pets. If your pets aren’t current on all their shots or altered, your pet adoption papers will be rejected right away.

It doesn’t really matter why you didn’t alter or vaccinate your current pets. But if you are serious about adoption, you will have to get them vaccinated and fixed as soon as possible. 

3. Keep Track Of Your Pets’ Veterinary Records

Most dog adoption organizations will require veterinary records for all of your pets, going back two to five years depending on the organization.

If you don’t have a vet who keeps good records or if there are any gaps in your pets’ care, your application will be rejected. 

Furthermore, some rescue groups may seek proof of preventative care. So, if you don’t buy flea and tick treatment or heartworm medication from your vet, start saving those bills as proof of preventative treatment.

4. Provide Detailed Information

When filling out a dog adoption application, be as detailed as possible. Don’t shy away from providing detailed information about your living and family situation, and your previous experience with owning pets.

Explain everything you know about the training, nutrition, care, exercise, and grooming needs of a dog . 

The more information you provide, the better your application will look and will show that you are truly invested in providing a forever home for your new dog. 

5. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions

If you have any questions about the dog you are trying to adopt, don’t be afraid to ask. Most shelters and rescue organizations love when prospective owners have a list of questions.

This shows the organization that you did some research and are really committed to providing a forever home for that dog.

You will want to get more information about the dog’s temperament and whether they have any behavioral or health issues.

Furthermore, get as much information you can get about the dog’s history: Was the dog abused, or did their previous family leave them behind when they moved away?

Asking these types of questions will help you better understand the dog and will also show that you are truly interested in adopting. 

FAQs About Dog Adoption Papers

How do i apply for a dog adoption.

The first thing you will need to do if you want to adopt a dog is to submit an adoption application.

Most shelters and rescues have websites where you can fill out or download the application form before submitting it for approval.

At this stage, the most important thing is to provide detailed information about yourself and any previous experience with pet ownership. 

Why Is Adoption Better Than Buying Pets?

There are many reasons why adopting a pet is better than buying one. To start, it is a humane thing to do!

Millions of cats and dogs are euthanized each year while waiting to get adopted into loving homes. It is up to potential owners to decide if they want to be a part of the problem or offer a solution. 

Adoption also gives you an opportunity to get an already house-trained pet who is used to living indoors and interacting with people.

Also, adoption is a lot cheaper than buying a puppy straight from a breeder, and you won’t have to pay extra for shots, microchipping, and spaying/neutering. 

What Is An Adoption Contract?

A pet adoption contract is an agreement between two parties: the adoption organization and the new owner.

The contract outlines the required standard of care the new owner should provide for the adopted animal.

Adoption contracts also contain information about the current health of the adopted pet and are, when signed, legally binding. 

Are Pet Adoption Contracts Enforceable?

All pet adoption contracts are enforceable when the terms of the contract have been violated.

For example, if the adoption contract stated that you had to spay/neuter a dog within the first six months after the adoption and you didn’t do it, the organization can confiscate your dog.

If a pet owner is found to be in violation of the terms of the contract, they must surrender the pet upon request. 

Why Is It So Hard To Adopt A Dog From A Rescue?

Considering that most rescue dogs had difficult lives prior to coming to the shelter, they often have specific living and care requirements that aren’t easy to meet.

Adopting a dog from a rescue is extremely hard since most potential owners are unable to meet the dog’s specific needs. If your adoption application gets rejected, don’t be discouraged. 

This only means that you aren’t the best match for that particular dog. While you might end up rejected by one rescue, another one might like your application and end up matching you with the best dog for you. 

Knowing what questions to expect and how to properly fill out pet adoption papers will bring you one step closer to rescuing a dog.

Adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue organization is a difficult process, and it isn’t uncommon for applications to get declined several times. But, these simple steps can help you get approved by the rescue:

• Provide detailed information
• Ask a lot of questions
• List good references

In the end, even if your adoption application doesn’t get approved the first time, don’t despair!

Shelters and rescues are full of dogs in need of loving homes and one of them is waiting just for you.

Have you ever adopted a dog?

Was the adoption process easy or difficult?

Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below.

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• BEST PUPPY TOY We Like: Calmeroos Puppy Toy w/ Heartbeat and Heat Packs - Perfect for new puppies. Helps ease anxiety in their new home.
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For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining.com blog.

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The Dogs Helping the Covenant Children Find Their Way Back

To heal after a mass shooting, the Covenant School families have turned to therapy, faith, one another — and a lot of dogs.

Monroe Joyce, 10, runs with one of two dachshunds taken in by her family. She is one of several children who now have a dog after surviving the Covenant School shooting. Credit...

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By Emily Cochrane

Photographs by Erin Schaff

Emily Cochrane and Erin Schaff spoke with more than a dozen Covenant School parents, students, staff and their dogs.

• Published March 24, 2024 Updated March 28, 2024

Two of April Manning’s children, Mac and Lilah, had just survived the mass shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville. They needed stability and time to grieve.

Listen to this article with reporter commentary

Open this article in the New York Times Audio app on iOS.

So she did everything she could to keep the family dog, Owen, their sweet but ailing 15-year-old golden retriever, with them for as long as possible. She pushed back his final trip to the vet, keeping him comfortable as he slowly moved around the house.

Getting another dog was the furthest thing from her mind. But a few weeks after the shooting, her children sat her down for an important presentation.

Prepared with a script and a PowerPoint — “Why We Should Get (Another) Dog” — they rattled through research showing the mental health benefits of having one. It could limit their chances of developing PTSD and help them feel safe. Playing together would get them outside and boost their happiness.

Ms. Manning and her husband considered. Maybe a second dog was possible.

First came Chip, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Then, after Owen succumbed to old age, came Birdie, a miniature poodle and Bernese Mountain dog mix. And in taking them in, the Mannings were far from alone.

In the year since Tennessee’s worst school shooting, in which three third-graders and three staff members were killed by a former student, more than 40 dogs have been taken in by families at Covenant, a small Christian school of about 120 families.

“I really only expected them to help in a cuddly kind of way, like just to snuggle the kids when they’re upset ,” Ms. Manning said. “But I wasn’t really expecting all the other benefits from them.”

To spend time with the Covenant families is to understand how they have relied on one another, traditional psychological treatments and mental health counseling, and their Christian faith to hold them together.

But it is also to see how often what they needed — a distraction, a protector, a friend who could listen, something untouched by darkness — came from a dog.

An Immediate Response

Dogs greeted the surviving children at Sandy Hook Elementary School as they returned to a refurbished middle school in 2013. A dozen golden retrievers were on hand in Orlando to provide comfort after the deadly attack at a L.G.B.T.Q. nightclub in 2016. The therapy dogs who tended to the surviving students in Parkland, Fla., made the school yearbook .

“Over this period of sort of, 35,000 years, dogs have become incredibly adept at socializing with humans, so they’re sensitive to our emotional state,” said Dr. Nancy Gee, who oversees the Center for Human-Animal Interaction at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Even brief, minute-long interactions with dogs and other animals can reduce cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, research by Dr. Gee and others has shown, providing a possible lifeline for veterans struggling with PTSD and others recovering from trauma.

And on the day of the Covenant shooting, dogs were immediately there to help. Covey, the headmaster’s dog, was at a nearby firehouse, where dozens of staff members and students were evacuated. Squid, a retriever mix, was at the children’s hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, helping to comfort the staff if needed.

When the students who survived were put on a school bus to be reunited with their anguished parents, Sgt. Bo, a police dog, was sitting at their side.

Officer Faye Okert, the dog’s handler with the Metro Nashville Police, handed out a baseball card of dog facts to distract and comfort the children.

“The focus was on him,” said Officer Okert. “You had smiles after what they had been through.”

After families reunited, counselors offered clear advice: To help your child, get a dog. Or borrow a neighbor’s.

That led several parents to connect with Comfort Connections, a nonprofit comfort dog organization. Jeanene Hupy, the group’s founder, had seen firsthand how therapy dogs had helped the Sandy Hook students and started her own organization once she moved to Nashville.

The group, which oversees a menagerie of golden retrievers, a gentle pit bull and a massive English mastiff, began its work by visiting individual homes in the days after the shooting. Then, when students returned to class weeks later, the dogs were once again there.

They were something to look forward to, in the moments when walking through the school doors felt overwhelming. And when there were painful reminders — a water bottle clattering to the floor, an unsettling history lesson on war or the absence of a friend — a child could slip away and cuddle a dog.

As Ms. Hupy put it, something special happens “when you bring in something that loves you more than it loves itself, which is these guys.”

A Reassuring Presence

First it was a joke, then a reality: Everyone was getting a dog.

Fueled by community donations and her own money, Ms. Hupy began connecting several parents and puppies. Even for families who could easily afford a new dog, Ms. Hupy and her trainers dramatically eased the logistical hurdles by finding and training puppies that seemed perfect fits to each family.

The Anderson girls shrieked and cried with joy when they learned they were getting a dog, and have now taught Leo how to flaunt sunglasses and do tricks. The Hobbs children constantly scoop up Lady Diana Spencer, often fashionably dressed in a string of pearls or sweaters.

The dogs are also there in the harder moments, too, like when an ambulance or police car drives by blaring its siren or when the memorial ribbons in their neighborhood remind them of what was lost.

“Sometimes it’s just nice to have a giant soft pillow that doesn’t need to talk to you and just cuddle it,” said Evangeline Anderson, now 11.

And if the dogs chew on a shoe or make a mess on a rug, Ms. Manning said, it is a lesson in how to deal with conflicting emotions.

“We still love them and we’re so glad we have them — both things can be true,” she said. “Just like we can be really nervous about going back to school and still also be excited to do it.”

And maybe, the parents realized, it was not just for the children.

Rachel and Ben Gatlin were driving back from vacation on the day of the shooting. That has meant grappling with the heaviness of survival and knowing that Mr. Gatlin, a history teacher who carried a pistol on his ankle for personal protection, could have run toward the shooter that day.

And while their new dog, Buddy, has adapted to the bossiness of their young children and has developed a penchant for sock consumption, he has also kept the adults’ thoughts focused in the moment. Tending to his needs has served as a reminder of their own.

“When you see it working, you’re in total comfort,” Ms. Gatlin said.

Even the school’s chaplain, Matthew Sullivan, found that the stories of new puppies being shared each day in chapel were “wearing me down in a good way.”

“I kind of wanted to enter into the experience of all these families firsthand,” he said.

Now Hank, a slightly anxious, floppy-eared Scooby-Doo doppelgänger, has been adopted into his home, which had been a little empty without his grown children.

The Alternatives

Not everyone got a dog.

For the McLeans, the solution was two rabbits.

“It’s an incredible distraction to their reality,” Abby McLean said of her children, cupping her hands to mimic cradling a rabbit on her shoulder. “I find myself occasionally doing it as well.”

Another family added Ginny, a tortoise with a possible seven-decade life span, to the mix of animals already in their house.

“For having lost people early in life — there was something that equated to me in that, that there was a longevity to it, to a tortoise,” said Phil Shay, who picked out the tortoise with his 12-year-old daughter, Ever.

Still, the dogs far outnumber the other pets. And every day they can make a little difference.

The first night that George, Jude and Amos Bolton had tried to sleep alone without their parents after the shooting, the slightest grumble from the ice machine or the dryer had been too much. Their mother, Rachel, who had maintained that she liked dogs, just not in her house, soon agreed to take in Hudson, a miniature Goldendoodle puppy with doe-like eyes and wild curls.

“We didn’t realize the dogs could create comfort for people,” Jude, now 10, said, his hands ruffling Hudson’s ears. And when Hudson came home, he added, “he’s just been comforting us ever since.”

It is now easier to sleep through the night, safe with the knowledge that Hudson is there.

“All my friends joke, they’re like, ‘I can’t believe you’re a dog person now,’” Ms. Bolton said. But this dog, she added, “has healed this family.”

Read by Emily Cochrane

Audio produced by Patricia Sulbarán .

Emily Cochrane is a national reporter for The Times covering the American South, based in Nashville. More about Emily Cochrane

Erin Schaff is a photojournalist for The Times, covering stories across the country. More about Erin Schaff

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A Sitting For a Cause Blog Featuring All Things Pet-Related

Subway Strays: The Dogs of Moscow’s Metro

Despite the collapse of the Soviet Union, the stray dogs in Moscow have a surprisingly well-documented history which animal behaviorists have been paying close attention to for several decades. During the Soviet period in Russia the packs of wild (or stray) dogs in were regulated. Only the clever canines who learned to stay in isolation were able to survive. Usually, these dogs would remain on the outskirts of the city hunting in wild packs, as the living in the city was dangerous and food scarce.  After the fall of the Soviet Union quality of life in Russia began to slowly improve and with it more street vendors and food collecting in busy neighborhoods. This began to bring some the stray dogs out of the suburbs into the city.

Today, there are nearly 35,000 stray dogs that call Moscow home. Out of these 35,000 stray dogs there are about 500 that have taken to living underground. Out of these dogs, there are a few that have started thinking outside the box and inside the boxcar. They have begun the slow move underground to stay out of the cold (Russian winters reach an average of -5 degrees every day). Many of the Russian commuters embraced the dog’s underground migration by petting them or giving them food.

Though these claims may seem like the made up type of internet misinformation that we have learned to be skeptical of these days, it is actually sourced to a Russian biologist by the name of  Dr. Andrey Poyarkov , a highly regarded scientist in his field of study. As it turns out Poyarkov has been studying these dogs for the last thirty years and told news sources back in 2010 that he suspected a small fraction of these underground dogs had actually learned to use the subway in order to beg for food in bustling urban areas where food is more plentiful.

Andrei Neuronov , an animal behaviorist, says much like you train your dogs at home to respond to verbal commands like “sit” or “stay,” the Moscow metro dogs are using audio cues from the subway stops they have learned. The dogs memorize the names of the stops to navigate the subway systems in order to take them to heavily populated places during the day and get food.  Then, they return to their more secluded corners of the suburbs at night where they are less likely to be bothered by people.  Here is a story ABC did back in 2011, talking about this very thing.

Do you have any information on how to help these dogs?  Please share and comment below.

Revealing the secret of Pet Rescue Saga success

• October 25, 2018

King’s Pet Rescue Saga, from the makers of Candy Crush Saga & Farm Heroes Saga, has been live for over 5 years. You should match blocks of the same color and save the pets from the evil Pet Snatchers. There are over 100 levels and colorful animation. Our next speaker is going to reveal the secret of PRS success. Rose Thomas is a level designer on King’s Pet Rescue Saga .

But what has kept Pet Rescue Saga players so engaged over the years, and just how much has it changed over the years? The designers are constantly striving to breathe new life into PRS via level design and experimenting with new features in order to give the players the best experience possible.

Previously Rose worked at Disney Interactive on mobile games such as Inside Out: Thought Bubbles , and the AR experience, Star Wars: Jedi Challenges .

Come and join us at DevGAMM in Minsk. Learn how to keep the audience interest in your game! Buy tickets before the price increase.

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