You can learn about them before bringing them home

The dog you’re choosing is much less anonymous when it comes from a shelter. Animal shelters want new pet owners to have the most positive experience possible. They’ll often collect as much information about the temperament and personality of the dog as they can while it’s awaiting adoption.

You can find out whether the dog likes children, which is useful for parents with young kids. You can also discover ahead of time whether they’re potty trained, their medical history, how loud they are and more. If Gizmo’s a little zany, you’ll be well warned ahead of time.