| One of the best ways to adopt an older Shitzu is to | | | | 1) When you adopt a Shih Tzu from an animal shelter, |
| go to the animal shelter. Animal shelters are nothing | | | | it will bring you and your family lots of joy as well as |
| more than just shelters ran by the county or the city | | | | some challenges. You may have to start from the |
| that take in many animals for a variety of reasons. | | | | beginning when it comes to housetraining, socialization |
| However, as you may already know, shelters have a | | | | and trust. |
| wide variety of dogs and they're no guarantees that a | | | | 2) The information you receive on the dog will be |
| Shih Tzu would be at that animal shelter for certain. | | | | limited if any at all. You may be oblivious to the past of |
| Therefore, if you're diligent, you should be able to find | | | | the dog, whether it's been mistreated or if it had any |
| one at some other shelter, one just may show up. | | | | medical issues in the past. However, workers at the |
| In most cases, animal shelters have close relationships | | | | shelter may be able to give you clues, but that's usually |
| with purebred rescue groups and they ship any | | | | all the help you can expect to get. Remember, shelters |
| purebred dog to them. Therefore, if you've really got | | | | just don't have the time and resources to evaluate |
| your mind set on getting a Shih Tzu, you may want to | | | | every dog that comes through the door. Therefore, |
| start your search with a rescue group. In addition, if | | | | you and your new Shih Tzu will have some things to |
| you're someone that doesn't mind getting a mixed dog, | | | | work out. |
| for instance, a Shitzu mixed with another breed, then | | | | 3) You must get approval from the shelter before you |
| an animal shelter is for you. One of the best ways to | | | | can adopt the Shih Tzu. Many shelters (at least the |
| assure yourself of getting a Shih Tzu or a Shih Tzu | | | | good ones) require application forms that can be quite |
| mixed is to get to know the workers at the shelter, | | | | lengthy. The shelter just wants to make sure that the |
| and tell them to call you if that particular dog shows up. | | | | dogs don't end up right back in the shelter. |
| Here are some points to consider if you ever decide | | | | 4) Adopting a Shih Tzu at an animal shelter is a lot |
| to adopt a dog from the animal shelter. | | | | cheaper than buying one from a breeder. |