Last modified: Sunday, November 11, 2007 11:34 PM EST The Brogan family of Attleboro adopted Cooper, a mixed breed puppy, recently from the Attleboro Animal Shelter. From left are Mike Brogan, daughter Haley, 10, wife Lisa and son Josh, 12. (Staff photo by MARK STOCKWELL) Many advantages to adopting from a shelter BY SUSAN LaHOUD / SUN CHRONICLE STAFF Mike Brogan had wanted a dog for ages, so every once and awhile he and his two children would stop by the Attleboro Animal Shelter. Then, last month, he spotted a puppy - a small boxer-beagle mix at the shelter. "My wife had been iffy about it, but I sold her on it," said Brogan, a lifelong resident of the city. Brogan didn't realize it, but he adopted the puppy, which the family named Cooper, during the ASPCA's Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. Area animal control officers and shelter workers say there is a litter of reasons to adopt dogs, as well as other animals, from shelters: They're less expensive than animals in pet stores; you get a better assessment of a potential pet's personality and behavior; you are given some insight on whether it will be a good match for you and your lifestyle and household; and there is the opportunity to bond with a creature that also benefits from finding that home sweet home. And, said Norton Animal Control Officer Brian Plante, shelter dogs are usually housebroken and shelter animals have had their shots and other health needs attended to as much as possible. "We get them to a veterinarian and get them heartworm-tested and up to date on shots," he said. Neutering and spaying may also be done. The cost is $150 to cover those expenses, more if the dog needs to be spayed or neutered, he said. Some people are hesitant to adopt a pet from a shelter because they fear "damaged goods," but that's often not the case, said Plante and other shelter officials. Many have been found abandoned or were turned over to the shelter because their owners moved, divorced or died, he said. Largely, "dogs that have been in a shelter are grateful to get a home," Plante said. "Most of ours, they've either been abandoned or neglected," said Karen Fontneau, North Attleboro's Animal Control Officer, though she noted that her shelter took in a St. Bernard years ago "because the people thought it was too large." Brogan was told his mixed-breed puppy was "thrown on the side of the road" before being brought to the Attleboro shelter. Fontneau and other shelter workers said those who are interested in pure-bred dogs can find them at the shelter, too. As for any "dark secrets" shelter dogs may hold in their past, many times the dog's quirks or preferences can be determined during their stay at the shelter, they said. "You have to figure almost all of the strays we get, there is no history on them," Fontneau said. "But a lot of times, after we've had them, we get to know them." Dogs have to be quarantined for 10 days before they can be adopted, and shelter workers see how the dog reacts to other dogs and cats. Nancy Robinson, the canine coordinator for Friends of Attleboro Animal Shelter, said volunteers at the shelter teach dogs basic commands. A good deal of consideration goes into matching animals with the right home. "We talk to the people a lot," Robinson said. "If you have an elderly couple, you don't want a dog that bounces off the walls. With young kids, you want a dog that they can walk." And you don't want to adopt out a beagle that is known to howl to people who live in an apartment, she said. "The whole family has to meet the dog and if they have a dog at home, the dogs have to meet," Robinson said. The adoption fee for a dog at the city shelter is $120 which includes the cost of a physical exam, rabies, parvovirus and distemper shots, spaying/neutering, heartworm and seasonal flea and tick preventatives. Volunteers observe how the dogs interact with cats at the shelter. "It's an imperfect science, but sometimes it works out great," Robinson said. Fontneau said they similarly "temperament test" dogs, using toys and treats. Granted, she said, "some need a little more work than others" on behavior training or socialization. That's why many shelter workers strongly recommend obedience training. In addition, the shelters give new pet owners plenty of literature and Web site addresses to assist them. "We also encourage them to call if they have questions. Sometimes it's just a matter of changing a couple of things," Fontneau said. Shelters typically offer a large selection of animals and some are harder to adopt out than others. The ASPCA has launched a photography contest among animal shelters to promote what it calls "diamonds in the ruff." Hard-to-adopt animals include those in their "golden years," or ones that may need some extra care or attention. What's even harder sometimes, said Fontneau and others, is when a dog has been returned several times, "through no fault of their own." "I would say 95 percent of the dogs we get are awesome and get great homes," Robinson said. The Friends group registered 109 dog adoptions last year; about 80 of them had been owner "surrenders," she said. "Sometimes it clicks, others don't," Robinson said. "Sometimes you just see a dog and fall in love." Count Brogan among the love-struck. He says his wife is still worried about vet bills in the future, but he's not fretting. "He's a bit hyper, but he's a puppy." Obedience training could be the next thing in the budget, he said. But, Brogan adds, somewhat triumphantly, the 6-month-old pup is housebroken and has already learned to sit. And the kids, Josh, 12, and Haley, 10, "they're loving it," he said. SUSAN LaHOUD can be reached at 508-236-0398 or at slahoud@thesunchronicle.com.