Riley is a young dog adopted from us as a puppy, and returned as a young adult. Now, he needs to find a forever home to call his own!

Ah, the bliss of puppies. Their sweet breath, loving cuddles, adorable antics, and, of course, cute faces! We’re no different from anyone else: puppies are the best, and when we have them at the shelter, we love spending time with them. It’s no secret that puppies get adopted faster than any other pet, but did you know that they’re also the most likely to be returned? Sometimes, it happens as quickly as within a month, when adopters fall for the cuteness and don’t realize how much work a puppy is. More commonly, they’re returned a year or two later, when they’re all grown-up.

It seems like a simple thought. Puppies get older, and when they do, they get bigger, like any other animal. They don’t stay tiny forever, though they’ll always be cute! Yet, even though it seems obvious, it’s one of the most common reasons people return their dogs. Maybe they didn’t realize how big they would get, or they didn’t think about having an adult dog when they brought a puppy into their apartment. Whatever the reason, when adopting, it’s important to think about the dog’s entire life. Adoption is a lifelong commitment to an animal!

Of course, we understand that sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan. Circumstances can change in ways no one could anticipate, and sometimes returning a dog to the shelter may be the safest or most responsible option. Losing a job, a major change in housing, a serious family situation, or other unexpected hardships can make caring for a pet difficult or impossible. We would much rather have someone reach out for help than keep a dog in a situation where its needs can no longer be met. The goal isn’t to make anyone feel guilty for facing an unavoidable change; it’s to encourage adopters to think carefully about the commitment they’re making and, whenever possible, prepare for the changes that may come along the way.

Oftentimes, dogs adopted as puppies and returned as adults struggle to find homes during their second stay at the shelter. They’re no longer the tiny, adorable babies they were the first time, and now they face the same challenges as other adult dogs. By adopting a puppy, keeping it for the first year of its life, and then bringing it back, you may make it more difficult for that dog to find a forever home. This is often avoidable! Don’t adopt a puppy if you are not prepared to keep it for the rest of its life, no matter how much those puppy eyes tempt you!

When you’re at the shelter with a puppy in your lap, consider the following before completing an application and walking out the door: Are you prepared to keep this dog for the next eight to fifteen years, even if it grows up to be nearly 80 pounds? Most of the time, shelters don't know a puppy's breed and make educated guesses about its eventual size, so those expectations may not always be accurate. Do you plan on moving during this dog’s lifetime? If so, will you be able to take it with you? Will you be able to find pet-friendly housing and pay any associated fees? Keep breed restrictions in mind, especially in large cities and apartment complexes. Do you plan on starting a family, and if so, will you be able to manage a dog and an infant?

These questions are crucial to consider before adoption. It may seem over the top to think about your life ten years in the future, but doing so will help ensure a happy, long life for the dog you’re bringing home. Responsible adoption doesn’t only benefit one animal. Emptying one kennel keeps it open for another in the future and helps us help more homeless pets in need.

Since 1994, the Animal Resource Center and the Shops of Second Chance Humane Society have been dedicated to serving animals in Southwestern Colorado. Our adoption hours are every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are located at 177 County Rd 10, Ridgway, CO. You can view our shelter pets and services online at secondchancehumane.org.