Why Rescues Make The Best Pets
For many pet parents, rescue pets hold a special place in their heart.
Some may have grown up in a family who valued animals’ lives and saved as many as they could through adoption.
Others may have realized at a later age that rescue pets are quite special and deserving of love.
Either way, according to the ASPCA, 5.8 million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues in 2024, which means at any given time, there are a lot of pets who need homes.
And for Veronica Lundh, college admin assistant and rescue pet mom, the cat and dog she rescued ended up filling a void she didn’t realize she had.
A love for animals, no matter the kind
“Sure, it was chaotic, but I was a kid. It was a blast! I didn't care that my cat peed on my bed... I didn’t care that our dog was obsessed with ripping into the garbage. I loved them.”
When it comes to childhood pets, Veronica’s experiences were definitely a little chaotic (her words!).
First, there were the goldfish that she and her brother cared for. Superman and Batman were spoiled until their very last days, ending with an elaborate funeral in the backyard.
Then, when she was about 6, there was the stray cat that her aunt tried to take in. The three resident dogs protested so her mom took him instead.
“I was obsessed with the cat. We were best friends and I was so excited that I was able to get him a little bell collar.”
But one day when Veronica came home from school, he was gone. She never got to see him again.
A few years later, a local farmer had a litter of beagles and she went with her family to get one.
“They dumped the puppies out of a laundry basket and we were just sitting in this room with beagle puppies climbing all over us, and that’s how we got Vache.
She was fantastic. She was just the most amazing little dog ever.”
Veronica’s love for pets really grew with Vache, and whether they were playing outside together, sharing a mango, or cuddling in bed, she felt the bond a person could have with an animal.
It was time for a pet of her own
After 15 years, Vache passed away of old age. And as a woman in her early 20s, Veronica was now completely petless.
She decided it was time for a pet of her own.
“I hadn’t had a cat in a while and since I was young and always out, it would be easiest to have a cat. I just knew I wanted a pet and a cat seemed most practical.”
Looking through available cats at local rescues and shelters, she laid eyes on exactly what she had envisioned: a beautiful gray tabby.
Just a few days later, Veronica went to meet the kitten at the foster’s home.
“She didn't want anything to do with me. She wanted to just run around and play with her siblings. But I chose her anyway!”
The kitten, now named Hannibal (from the A-Team, not the killer!), soon found herself in a new home with new places to explore.
Adjusting to life with a spry kitten kept Veronica on her toes, but it also filled her with joy and fulfillment.
“She was a kitten in a totally new place. She wanted to get into everything and she definitely had a huge personality. She was crazy. A crazy little high-energy kitten.”
As she got older, the energy subsided, but thankfully, the personality that Veronica had grown to love, wasn’t going anywhere.
Even when she wasn’t the only pet anymore.
…And then came the dog
“I was looking at this rescue’s Instagram account and there was a post that said ‘Coming soon!’ I saw his scrawny little body and thought it was the cutest picture ever… And I was like, I want this dog.”
About six years after getting Hannibal, Veronica’s life had changed quite a bit. Newly single, she was living in a friend's home with a nice backyard, located near miles and miles of trails.
She had been thinking about getting a dog for a while, and now seemed like the perfect time.
Just days before her birthday, that scrawny little dog appeared in her Instagram feed. A couple days later, he was available for adoption and the application process began.
“I told them, ‘It's my birthday tomorrow, can we please finalize this tomorrow?’ And everybody on the team was like, ‘Oh my god, we need to fast track this! It's happening, we're doing this, it's her birthday!’”
While they were finishing everything up, Veronica was able to visit him and make sure he was the right fit.
She immediately fell in love and the next day, on her birthday, Murdock went home.
From the moment Murdock hopped in her car, it’s like he knew he was finally in good hands.
“He got into my car and he sat in the back with his little crossed paws… And then I just showed him around my yard and kind of had him settle in for a little bit. On that first day we went for a little walk and he was super quiet and chill.”
Knowing he had one more “test” to pass, Veronica invited her friend to come over, and bring the dog.
Patch, the gentlest, kindest boy, was friends with every dog. If Murdock liked him, she knew this was truly the perfect fit.
“Murdock and Patch locked eyes at the top of the hill and it's been a bromance ever since.”
The companionship that made everything better
“My life has improved so much with them in it. They make me so happy and fill a void I didn’t know needed to be filled. I can’t imagine not having them.”
It didn’t take long for Hannibal and Murdock to acclimate to life together, becoming a dynamic duo that filled Veronica’s life with purpose.
Coming home to them is now the best part of the day and each of them blends perfectly with different aspects of her personality and interests.
With Hannibal, she enjoys quiet, loving moments with her little “shadow.”
“Hannibal always sleeps with me and she’s always curious about what I'm doing.”
Murdock, on the other hand, gets to join Veronica on adventures beyond the home.
“Murdock definitely gets me up and out of the house when I have to walk him. I have a beautiful backyard filled with lots for him to see and do, but we love our walks. And when we do go on walks, it feels more meaningful.”
Even things like camping trips, day adventures, and vacations are now planned with Murdock in mind (Hannibal would rather stay home, of course).
Veronica loves finding places to go where Murdock can be part of the memories she makes and she knows he appreciates it too.
“He’s such a good companion. When we’re on cool hikes, we’ll stop at an overlook and he just sits there with me and looks around. It’s like he knows this is a nice moment and he loves being there with me.”
Beyond walks and special adventures, both pets have also affected someone else’s life too: her boyfriend.
“I think both of my pets have made my current relationship with my boyfriend stronger too, because they’ve bonded with him and they bring out a softer side of him.”
Having a significant other who wants to make sure they’re happy and taken care of, and shows genuine concern about their well-being, has just added to the numerous ways they’ve improved her life.
Are rescue pets really the best option?
“I think rescues just made sense. The pets are vaccinated and fixed, and you're helping a good cause. It was an easy decision.”
With so many shelters and rescues filled to the brim with animals, many people prioritize these facilities when it’s time to bring home a new pet.
Sure, Veronica got lucky with two pets who adjusted well and didn’t have any behavioral issues, but her experience isn’t uncommon.
These dogs aren’t broken. In many cases, they’re even more loyal and loving once they feel safe and secure in their new home.
“These animals are coming from bad situations and these rescues are trying to rehome them with better families, instead of just breeding more puppies.”
And for those who are set on getting a purebred? There are rescues for those too!
When it comes to rescues, you can go with an open mind and let a pet choose you, or you can decide the “perfect” pet and you’ll likely find them.
Keep your pet out of the shelter
Many pets who end up in shelters and rescues were dumped or unwanted… But others are there because something happened to their owner.
If something were to happen to you, would the authorities know who to give your pet to? If your pet ended up in a shelter, would they know who they could legally release your pet to?
Putting a Cotl plan in place ensures your pet is taken care of, just the way they’re used to, no matter what happens to you.
