Dog Rescue, Fostering and Adoption, Humane Way to Discover If Dog Adoption is Right For You

     If you are uncertain whether dog adoption is right for you, volunteer at an animal shelter or a rescue club. If you do this, you can assess if a long term commitment of time and money is right for you. By fostering a dog in your home, you can make this decision without going through the trauma of a dog adoption gone wrong. There are several volunteer jobs open to you such as a dog handler, a foster home or assistant trainer. Inquire at your neighborhood veterinarian for information on rescue groups and animal shelters. You will be welcomed as a volunteer and you will be doing a great service to your community.

Becoming a dog handler is one of the most rewarding jobs. Learn the proper way to walk, handle and exhibit the dog. You will be able to show the dog at events and exhibitions. You have the opportunity to introduce prospective families to the dog. As a volunteer, you will go through a training period teaching how to handle a dog. This is usually taught to you by another volunteer at no charge. Training such as this is valuable to you by showing how to develop a positive bond with a dog. It's a win / win / win /win situation for you, the dogs, your community and the shelters.

The best way to find out if adopting a dog is right for you, is to become a foster home. As a rescue volunteer, there may be an opportunity to home nurture a dog that is being processed for adoption. The animal may not be ready to be adopted but needs frequent attention, love and care. The rescue club usually pays for all food, vet care and accessories the dog will require. This is an excellent way to find out if dog adoption is right for you, at no financial cost to you and you will be benefiting yourself, the dog, the rescue club and your community.

Another great job is that of assistant trainer. Many shelters and rescue clubs have a resident trainer who assess the dogs behavior and teaches the dog basic commands. As an assistant, you will learn the methods of training. You will work with your assigned dog and teach it basic commands. If you are fostering a dog, normally you will train that pet. What valuable training and experience for you.

Volunteering with shelters and rescue clubs helps so many on several different levels. Yourself, the dogs, shelters, rescue clubs, and communities all benefit from your act of volunteering. You gain knowledge, experience, gratification and learn if dog adoption is right for you at no expense. The dogs are saved from the streets, fed, given medical care, trained and given a home. The shelters and rescue clubs get workers at no cost, which enables them to offer adoptions at a low reasonable cost. Our communities benefit because wondering stray dogs are taken off of the street. Barking noise levels are reduced, fighting is reduced, dog population is controlled, spread of disease is diminished and the issue of public safety is addressed. Volunteering, this unselfish act of giving, expands good will and benefits all.