11 Great Reasons to Adopt a Pet From a Shelter
There are at least 11 great reasons to consider adopting your next pet from an animal shelter.
Why Choose Pet Adoption?
If you're interested in getting a pet, there are some things you should consider first. Do you want a dog or a cat? How about a rabbit?
Once you decide this, you will need to find where to buy or where to adopt the pet from. Considering adoption is an important part of welcoming a pet into your life. Finding a pet that will suit your lifestyle can be easier when adopting from a shelter, as well as less expensive. If you want an older pet, this will be a great place to start, but there are many puppies at the shelter to choose from as well.
1. To Save a Pet’s Life
When you adopt from a shelter, it frees up space for more animals, saving the life of your new best friend and other animals. Whether you adopt a dog or a cat, it still helps.
2. To Find Your Best Friend
Pets can be your best friend. They give you unconditional love and companionship. If you get a dog, they can also help keep you active, as they need frequent walks.
3. Shelter Pets Are Usually House-Trained
Many animals at the shelter are pets that the owner could no longer care for. The owners may have been sick, or they surrendered their pets for other reasons. But this means that the animal may already be house-trained and will usually already know simple commands.
4. It Will Cost Less
Buying a dog, cat, or any pet can be costly.
Many shelter animals are spayed and neutered before adoption as well as being microchipped and up to date on all shots. This saves you a lot of money. A pet from a shelter may be anywhere from $50 to around $150, depending on the above procedures. Buying from a pet store or breeder can cost much more.
7 More Reasons to Adopt:
- Pets are great listeners.
- They are great cuddlers; pet cuddles can help reduce anxiety.
- They are accepting of who you are.
- They can make you laugh.
- No more sweeping up crumbs.
- They will be your new binge-watching buddy.
- Shelters want to find a forever home for these animals, while pet stores are about making a profit.
Consider adopting a pet from a shelter rather than a pet shop or breeder!
Adopting vs. Buying Pets
When you adopt a pet from a shelter, you are saving that pet's life. You are giving them the home they deserve. Some shelters are really full and can't accept new animals that are lost, so they end up going to kill shelters.
When you buy your pet from a pet store or somewhere else, yes, you are still giving that pet a home. But most puppies from a store are from puppy mills.
How to Avoid Puppy Mills
If you buy your puppy from a pet store, it is likely from a puppy mill.
Puppy mills are where dogs are bred in harmful conditions and receive no medical treatment or socialization. The mother dogs are in small cages and have no human companionship. Once the dog is no longer breedable, it is usually killed. Puppy mills are able to stay open because so many pet stores get their puppies from them. Let's fight to stop puppy mills by not supporting them with our money!
Deanie Boy
My Adoption Experience
In 2013, my mom received a call from a local shelter. They just brought two dogs in that were stranded out at the lake, and it was raining. We had been on a list to get these kinds of calls. We headed to the shelter to meet the dogs.
By the time we got there, one pup had been rescued. We waited in a room, and the lady brought in a scared puppy. He came to me as I was on the floor at his level. He seemed to take right up with us. The lady informed us that if we didn't take him, he would likely be put down due to lack of space in the shelter.
It's 2018 now, and we still have our Deanie boy. I'm so glad we got him that day. He is my best friend, along with little Leo.
Adopting a pet from a shelter saves two lives—the animal you bring home, and the one that takes its place at the shelter.
Find a Shelter Pet Online
PetFinder is a website that helps you find a pet in your area to adopt. Another helpful website is ASPCA. You can also try searching online for local pet shelters near you.
Remember: Adopting helps more than just one animal. When you adopt, you make room in that shelter for another animal to have a second chance. Please consider adoption today! Save a pet's life.
Sources
- Top Reasons to Adopt a Pet : The Humane Society of the United States
Getting a new pet? Find out why you should adopt from a shelter or rescue
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
© 2018 Savanna H
