How to Talk About Dog Rescue With Friends and Family with a special Stella Speaks!
How to Talk About Dog Rescue With Friends and Family 🐾
We’ve all been there—someone you love mentions they’re “thinking about getting a dog.” Your heart skips a beat because you know thousands of amazing pups are waiting in shelters and rescues right now. But how do you bring it up without sounding pushy?
Here are some gentle conversation tips (and quick stats!) to help guide the talk:
💡 Start With Curiosity
Instead of jumping straight into “adopt, don’t shop,” ask open-ended questions:
“What kind of dog are you hoping for?”
“Have you thought about rescue groups? They might have exactly what you’re looking for.”
This shows you’re supportive while planting the seed for adoption.
📊 Share the Numbers
Sometimes a quick stat says more than a lecture:
🐶 3.1 million dogs enter U.S. shelters every year (ASPCA).
❤️ About 390,000 dogs are euthanized annually simply because there aren’t enough homes.
🏡 Adopting one dog doesn’t just save their life—it opens a kennel space for another in need.
🐕 Break the Myth of “Rescue Dogs”
Some people still think rescues are all “damaged” dogs. Remind them:
About 25% of shelter dogs are purebred.
Many rescues come from loving homes but were surrendered due to life changes, not behavior.
Rescues are often already spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped—saving adopters money up front.
👂 Share Your Story
Personal stories hit harder than statistics. If you’ve fostered, transported, or adopted a rescue pup, talk about the joy and transformation you’ve witnessed. Hearing a firsthand success story helps people imagine themselves doing the same.
🌟 Keep It Positive
Instead of shaming someone for considering a breeder, emphasize the good:
“It feels amazing knowing you’ve given a dog a second chance.”
“Every rescue I’ve met has had the biggest heart—it’s like they know you saved them.”
🚀 Offer to Help
Make it easier for them to take the first step:
Share local rescues or adoption events.
Offer to go with them to meet dogs.
Help them search Petfinder or Adopt-a-Pet for matches.
🐾 Final Thought
You might not convince everyone right away—and that’s okay. Every time you bring up adoption, you spread awareness and make someone pause before they “shop.” Sometimes, all it takes is one heartfelt conversation to change a life forever.
👉 Have you ever convinced a friend or family member to rescue instead of shop? Share your story in the comments—we’d love to hear it!
Hi everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve shared, but I want to tell you a story that connects to this week’s topic. My dads talk to everyone they meet about rescuing dogs—about choosing adoption instead of shopping. Today, I want to give you a story to tell if you ever need one to show just how powerful adoption can be. I don’t remember much of my past before I came to live with my dads, but I do remember this: life was scary. I was hungry most of the time. I didn’t have a house to sleep in. Back in Louisiana, it was hot, full of bugs, and the flooding was constant. Then one day, I was scooped up and transported all the way to New Jersey. I felt relief—but I was still nervous and unsure. What I didn’t know then was that just a week after my dads adopted me, Hurricane Ida hit. Much of Louisiana was devastated and flooded. If I hadn’t been adopted when I was, chances are I wouldn’t have made it. That storm could have ended my life. But instead, I was safe. I had a home. I had a family. My dads were my heroes. ✨ You can be that hero to another dog in need. ✨ You don’t have to save the whole world. For one dog, adoption is the whole world.
MEET INDIE
Not what you were looking for? You can adopt a different pet by using our search feature and adjusting the radius. Thank you for helping our animal shelters and rescue groups with pet adoption.
| Name | Indie |
|---|---|
| Adoption Fee | $350.00- Dog Adult |
| Age | 1 years, 3 months |
| Gender | Female |
| Size | Medium |
| Shots up to date | Yes |
| OK with kids | Not Sure |
| Housetrained | Not Sure |
| Hypoallergenic | Not Sure |
| Spayed / Neutered | Yes |
| OK with dogs | Yes |
| OK with cats | No |
If you have questions about Indie please contact
NYC Second Chance Rescue
***Side note about Miss Indie... I had the pleasure of transporting her a few weeks ago and she was a perfect little angel in the car. She sat there peacefully with her front paws crossed in the back seat looking at everything all around her. She was the pefect passenger.***
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