Give a dog in need a home

Most of the roughly 250,000 dogs that are admitted to Canadian shelters, rescue groups and municipal pounds each year are potentially wonderful pets that desperately need their luck to change.

An animal for everyone
"A lot of people think shelters are where all the reject dogs are, but that's so not true," says Shelagh MacDonald. She's the program director of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS), which speaks for its member societies and supports their work. There are fabulous dogs at shelters, she says, adding, "It can be so rewarding to know that you're giving a home to a dog that really needs one."

So why do such blameless dogs wind up at shelters? Most often, says Bruce Roney, executive director of the Ottawa Humane Society, it's the result of a mismatch. "There's probably an animal for everyone," he says, "and it may be a goldfish for some." Dogs can be challenging, and too many people don't really understand the demands of dog ownership. Some don't do their homework and choose dogs -- purebreds and crossbreeds alike -- without learning how they'll develop.

Recognize dogs' needs
Most dogs in shelters are larger crossbreeds who have outgrown the irresistible puppy phase and have needs that overwhelmed their first owners. All dogs need companionship, mental stimulation, activity and training, but some need more challenges and vigorous exercise -- every day -- to keep them happy and manageable. Bored, under-exercised dogs can become unhappy and destructive, and this sometimes lands them in a shelter.

Like other well-run shelters, the Ottawa Humane Society assesses all incoming dogs for problems with health and temperament and screens out dogs that are aggressive or otherwise unreliable. Roney says these problems are often the inheritance of poor breeding practices, such as those found in puppy mills. Most dogs, however, arrive with nice, stable natures. "Our goal is to put up highly adoptable animals," he says.

Unless you're set on a certain breed, shelters are an excellent place to find a canine companion, says Dr. Hendrik DeZeeuw, a veterinarian at Sunrise Animal Hospital in
Mt. Pearl, Nfld. It's important to choose a dog that's appropriate for your lifestyle, he advises. Another tip? "Look for a friendly, outgoing dog that comes to you, not the shy one hiding in the corner or the hyperactive one," says DeZeeuw.

Once you've made your choice, expect to sign an adoption contract. The terms will vary and so will the price. Across the country, humane societies charge from $60 to $275, depending on the dog and the veterinary services they include.

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