Do you have young children or is a baby on the way?
Are you thinking about adopting a puppy?
If your answers are “Yes,” our adoption counselor will spend extra time with you to make sure you know what to expect and that we find the right match.
We want a safe home for your family and for your adopted pet. Over the years we have learned that some puppies and breeds may not be the best choice for families with small children.
That’s why our adoption counselor will ask you a lot of questions, so don’t be surprised. She/he may suggest an older dog or breed that is more likely to be good with children.
Some Things to Think About
Puppies have sharp teeth and nails. A playful puppy could easily nip or scratch your child. Ouch!
A puppy may chew on anything it finds, including your child’s favorite stuffed animal or sneaker.
A puppy will treat your child like a littermate. Some puppies play rough, jump, use their mouths in a friendly but sometimes painful way, and could knock your child over.
Is your child old enough to know that a puppy or dog does not want to be squeezed or tossed around like a stuffed toy?
Young children will need to be supervised at all times with a pet. A curious toddler will pull at an animal’s fur, limbs and ears. A puppy, dog, or even a cat may react with a quick bite before you can intervene. Having an older child around, or another responsible family member, will help but this won’t prevent all accidents.
We do not know the lineage of our rescued animals, so we can only guess if a dog is likely to be good with children.
Some breeds can be easily provoked to snap or react to defend its food. A dog like this would not be good with young children.
If you are a mom or dad who feels like there just isn’t enough time in the day for work, preparing meals, shopping, changing diapers, and taking care of all your family’s needs, now may not be the ideal time to adopt a puppy. We will always have plenty of pets who need a home when the time is right for you.
