A New LEASH on Life! A Guide to Dog Adoption For National Dog Month

August is National Dog Month! We're celebrating our furry besties – especially those who found their forever homes through adoption or rescue. We love our pups, and according to the ASPCA , approximately 3.1 million dogs enter U.S. animal shelters every year. That means so many are ready and waiting for a chance to love you. Dog adoption is a rewarding way to give a deserving pup a loving home. Join us as we share the benefits of adopting a rescue dog, pro tips on preparing for your dog's "Gotcha Day," and more.

Top Dog Data: Did You Know?

Check out these very cool facts about your 4-legged friends:

1. Both humans and dogs experience a drop in blood pressure when we’re petting them. 
2. Every dog’s nose is totally unique - akin to human fingerprints.
3. A dog’s nose has as many as 300 million receptors. (Humans have about 5 million).
4. Because of this scent superpower, dogs can tell when you’re not feeling 100%. They can pick up on VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) in human bodies.
5. In 2006, dogs trained at the In Situ Foundation were able to detect lung cancer with 97% accuracy and breast cancer with 88% accuracy - more accurate than needle biopsies. (Wow!)

Bonus Book Recommendation: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. We won't spoil it, but the dog is the narrator in this moving, tear-jerker of a novel. *Sniff* 

Adopt Don't Shop: 5 Good Reasons

1. You're Saving a Life - We all deserve a second chance! For whatever reason they found themselves in a shelter, you're giving them a loving home, a new lease on life, and get to be their hero. 
2. You're Saving Your Pocketbook - Adopting from a rescue shelter is cost-effective: adoption fees are typically much lower than the cost of purebred puppies sold for profit.  
3. You're Getting a Built-in Support System - Shelter dogs have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and likely potty trained. Skip the "puppy phase?" Yes, please. Additionally, shelter volunteers and staff are a great resource for information on a variety of different issues you may come across. 
4. You're a Cycle-Breaker - Pet overpopulation is a serious problem nationwide. According to the ASPCA, 1.2 million dogs are euthanized each year in the United States; so adopting weakens that cycle. Adopting helps create a little ripple effect and you get to be part of the solution. 
5. You're a Role Model - When people ask you where you got your amazing dog, you get to say, "an animal shelter." Way to go, you!

The Dog Days of Summer: Named after the brightest star in the constellation, Canis Major the Greater Dog , Sirius, or 'Dog Star,' is most visible in the sky between July 3rd and August 11th in the Northern Hemisphere.  

Good For Them, Good For YOU

While adopting a dog from a shelter is certainly good for the dog, adoption is good for humans, too. Here's to your healthy partnership:

1. Reduced Stress and Anxiety - Having a dog to interact with has been shown to lower cortisol, your stress hormone. They can also reduce feelings of loneliness and offer emotional support. Plus, saving a life can offer you a sense of pride and purpose that boosts your self esteem and overall happiness.
2. Increased Physical Activity - Dogs need to move! Even simply taking them for a walk boosts your activity levels, improving heart health, bone density, and more.
3. Lower Blood Pressure -Studies show that dog ownership can help lower blood pressure. Their calming presence helps move you to a calm state.
4. Faster Recovery From Illness - Research also suggests that hanging out with your dog can speed up your healing, both physically and mentally.

5 Tips For Bringing Home Your Rescue Dog

A rescue pup can come to you with a traumatic history, and may need some extra considerations, time, space, and patience. Those first few weeks can be critical for building trust and establishing your bond between you. Set yourself up for success with these pointers:

1. Get them ID'd - Prior to picking them up, buy a right-sized collar and order personalized tags. Many shelters have microchip programs, so they may have given your new pup their own digital ID. If so, remember to register your contact info with the chip company. 
2. Find a Vet - Your shelter will likely have recommendations for you on this topic, however, it's wise to check online reviews to get a sense for the quality of veterinary care and cost in your area. Remember to ask the shelter for their medical record.
3. Puppy Proof Your Home - You'll definitely want to puppy proof prior to bringing your new friend home, even if you adopt an adult dog. Learn what houseplants and foods are dangerous and put them out of reach, close your toilet lids, and keep plastic bags out of reach. Don't forget to walk the outside perimeter of your home for puppy proofing as well! 
4. Moving is Stressful - While exciting, it's best to start off on the right foot by exhibiting a calm, quiet demeanor to set the tone and get the relationship started on the right foot. Ask the shelter staff what they ate and when; replicate that routine for the first few days so they don't have tummy troubles. Secure them in the car - a crate can help them feel safe during the ride home.  
5. The 3-3-3 Rule - A guide for making the transition smooth, the rule suggests that the first three days should be spent allowing your pup to get used to it's new surroundings, the next three weeks for bonding, training, and establishing routine, and the first three months for socializing and further training. 

The Magic of Peanut Butter: Introduce them slowly into your home by giving them a smaller, designated space to start, such as a den. Stock their new space with engaging toys or a Kong stuffed with peanut butter to ease anxiety and help them feel safe, giving you both an opportunity to acclimate to your new normal. 

Ready to Take Action? Start Here

Here are some local rescues and shelters in EventBuilder's primary locations: Portland, Oregon and the Seattle area, Washington.

• Portland, Oregon:

  • Oregon Dog Rescue - This rescue is dedicated to finding loving homes for abandoned, neglected, and abused dogs. They have a variety of dogs available for adoption, including puppies, adults, and seniors.
  • The Pixie Project  -This nonprofit center offers rescued animals for adoption, foster care, and pet supplies. They have a wide variety of animals available for adoption, including dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs.
  • Multnomah County Animal Services Adoption Center  - This shelter is home to a variety of dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small animals. They offer adoption services, as well as lost and found pet services.
  • Oregon Humane Society  - This society is dedicated to rescuing, sheltering, and rehoming animals in need. They have a variety of dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small animals available for adoption.

• Vancouver, Washington:

  • Mutts & Misfits - This rescue organization specializes in finding homes for dogs with special needs or challenging backgrounds. They provide comprehensive care and support to ensure these dogs find their forever homes. 
  • Vancouver Animal Shelter  - This shelter is home to a variety of dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small animals. They offer adoption services, as well as lost and found pet services.
  • Providence Animal Shelter  - This shelter offers exceptional, affordable and life-affirming rescue, adoption, medical care and training of companion animals and serve as a community resource that inspires others to embrace the human-animal bond.

• Seattle Area, Washington:

  • Gurrs and Purrs - Located in Yelm near Tacoma, this rescue offers adoption for both dogs and cats. EventBuilder's own LA Kendall LaBree and her dog, Pinky, can attest to their warm, caring, and mission-driven focus to save lives, one adoption at a time.
  • Human Society Seattle - Established 125 years ago, the Humane Society Seattle offers the utmost care and respect for the animals they take in, and 97% of the pets who enter the shelter have a positive outcome.
  • Doggone Seattle - Dedicated to saving homeless dogs in Washington high-kill shelters, Doggone Seattle places their rescued pups in foster care, and case managers work to match their dogs with the right person to ensure a good fit for both.

Adoption Makes a Difference

In addition to providing comprehensive event solutions and world-class customer care, Compassion is an EventBuilder core value . As such, we're committed to 'Do Good' by using our tools, talent, and platform to build connections, share resources, and inspire others to make a difference. We hope this inspires you to consider adopting a dog, providing it with a loving home, and saving a life. We invite you to share this post, and we would love to read your adoption success stories in the comments below!