Five Reasons to Adopt a Long-Term AHS Resident

We find that our long-term residents are often tragically misunderstood, people perceive them as "broken" or "trouble-makers". The truth is, our long-term residents are some of the best animals here at the shelter and they might be just the right fit for you! Our average length of stay is only 14 days and a long-term resident is any animal that has been here more than 90 days, which is still a relatively short amount of time. There are dozens of reasons an animal might become a long-term resident, but don't let those scare you off or you might just miss the love of your life! Find out why these should be the first animals you look at when you come by:

1. Not all animals "show" well in a shelter environment. The shelter is a stressful place for many animals. There is constant barking, hundreds of new people, an overwhelming number of smells, and despite our best efforts, it is not like the homes they are used to living in. As a result, even the most calm dogs or cats can become stressed. They might start barking at everyone that walks by to try to get attention or curl up in their cat bed and ignore the world. Our staff and volunteers work very hard to help these animals feel comfertable, but it takes time to adjust. Just because a dog or cat acts one way in their run or box does not mean that is how they will act when you meet with them one on one. Talk to staff or volunteers to get a better idea of the animals true personality. If you do, you might just find they are a diamond in the rough. For example, a couple adopted a dog a year ago that got little attention from potential adopters because she barked constantly in her run. However, that's not her true personality. At home she never barks, not even to go outside. She's the perfect dog for them, but they wouldn't have ever looked at her if they hadn't taken a chance and met with her one on one.
2. Some animals have special needs. Animals are a lot like humans, they each have their own likes, dislikes and set of needs. Some animals don't like other animals. Some are selective about what breeds they will interact with. Some need special food or a little extra training in certain areas. Many of our long-term residents fall into these categories. They may need to be the only pet, but maybe one pet is all you need. They may need a couple of training classes, but that's one of the best ways you can bond with your new pet.  Don't discount an animal just because it has it's own set of criteria for it's perfect home -- you never know, their criteria might be the same as yours!
3. Ageism is a problem for animals, too. Many people come into our shelter convinced they need to adopt a puppy because otherwise, they will have too much trouble training the dog. Wrong. Puppies require a great deal of training while older dogs often come pre-trained in many areas. They might already  be housebroken, or know "sit", "down" or "stay". They understand the concept of living in a house and having rules to follow. They know how to walk on a leash. And an older dog is just as eager to please you as a puppy -- you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Plus, they're likely out of the "puppy stage." This means less boundless energy to combat with, less destructive teething, etc. Meet with an older dog, you might just find that their former owner already did all the hard work for you!
4. Don't buy into breed myths. It's important that when you bring a new pet into your family, that you have a solid understanding of what you want and need and that you select a pet that meets those wants and needs. Before coming to shelter, make a list of what you are looking for in a pet and be honest with yourself. Consider how much time you have each day, the kind of activities you want to do with the pet (running vs. lounging, etc), any restrictions on size or breeds that your landlord may have, etc. Then talk to our staff, the information they have might suprise you. For example, many people with small children feel that adopting a small dog would be best because they are more comprable to the child's size. This is actually not always the best idea. In general, large breeds do better with children then small breeds. Small dogs can get easily scared as kids tower over them and feel more easily threatened by them. Big dogs tend to be more laid-back and easy going with children. Some of the best dogs for families with children might suprise you: pit bulls, great danes, newfoundlands, boxers and bernese mountain dogs are just a few examples. But remember, don't judge a dog entirely by its breed, judge them on their personality!
5. Long-term residents have even more love to give. They've been waiting patiently and saving all their love up for that special person that adopts them. Won't that be you?