Personality, not appearance, most important when adopting a dog

There is nothing like the unconditional love of a pet, but as many line up for the Clear the Shelters event on Aug. 18, the best way to make a lasting connection will be to make sure the animal is the right fit for your family.

Destiny Reid is a graduate school student and lives an active life. She factors that into her decision when selecting a dog.

“Time is going to be very stressful, so I’m looking for one that’s kind of calm and still energetic, because I do think that having a healthy lifestyle is really important,” she said.

FAQ: Clear the Shelters

When searching for the right dog, temperament is the key to a successful relationship.

“It’s about learning what people need and want and being able to let them know which animal is going to fit their needs,” behaviorist Julie Handy said.

Handy’s job is to know which dogs fit best with each home and life situation, because for each wet nose and wagging tail, there is a personality the adoptive family should know about upfront.

“We look at things like how energetic are they? Do they really like to play? Are they really timid? Are they clingy to people? Are they more independent?” Handy said. “If a dog really likes their toys and maybe they’ll growl over toys, if you have a little kid who has a lot of toys lying around, you might have an issue with the kid and the dog both wanting that toy.”

Can't adopt? You can still help shelter pets

A family’s decision should take into consideration their lifestyle, where they live, how much time can be devoted to the animal and how many hours per day they spend away from home.

For families who may not be able to devote the necessary amount of time and energy to a dog, the best pet may be a cat. While dogs are often quickly adopted, many animal welfare groups have to get creative so they aren’t overwhelmed by the number of cats and kittens coming through their doors each day.