There are a lot of misconceptions about shelter and rescue animals. Some people assume rescue pets are “damaged,” difficult, unpredictable, or too much work compared to buying from a breeder or pet store. Others worry that older pets won’t bond with them, or that animals with anxiety or behavioral struggles are somehow “bad.” But the truth is, many rescue animals are simply overwhelmed, grieving, confused, under-socialized, or recovering from stress and instability. A shelter