Why You Should Adopt a Pet from an Animal Shelter

Not sure where to purchase a new furry friend for your family?

You have numerous options to consider. You can find a four-legged companion from a trusted breeder or pet store. These are both popular choices that people think of when getting a pet for themselves or their families. But instead of asking you to get a pet from these sources, we are advising you to adopt a pet from an animal shelter. Studies estimate there are around 6.5 million animal shelters in the United States alone. Of those, about 3.2 million are cat shelters and 3.3 million are dog shelters. According to APPA data, 34% of dogs are purchased from a breeder, and 23% of dogs are adopted from an animal shelter. One of the most significant reasons people don't obtain animals from shelters is their unknown origin. Many of the animals are strays and, as such, may have health or behavioral issues. That said, we still think you should adopt an animal from an animal shelter. Still not convinced? Continue reading to discover why we think the best place to get a loving furry friend is from an animal shelter.

Saving a Life Will Be Doing a good deed

Did you know that about 670,000 pets are euthanized every year? Such events can happen for numerous reasons. Overcrowding is one of the most prevalent reasons for putting an animal to death. It is also done as animals have life-threatening medical issues or are aggressive, despondent, or suffering from something more severe. All animals deserve to have a fulfilling and healthy life, including those at an animal shelter. These creatures need most of our love because they are abandoned or lost. Adopt them and give them a second life.

You’ll Free Up Shelter Space

An estimated 6-8 million homeless animals enter animal shelters in the U.S. each year alone. The elderly ones are put to sleep to make room for the new. The number gets even more insane when you consider how many animals have to be euthanized to make room for the new ones. Unfortunately, they are not adopted in time and suffer a dreadful fate. Some of these otherwise dying animals are perfectly healthy to adopt. Unfortunately, due to overcrowding at the shelters, they had to be euthanized. This undesired step of euthanasia can only be prevented (or at least decreased) when people start adopting their pets from animal shelters instead of buying them from breeders.

It will save you money.

It can be a lot more expensive to buy a pet from a pet store than to adopt one from an animal shelter. A pet could cost you anywhere from $500 to $1000 or more. But adopting is the cheaper option, as you can adopt a pet for between $50 and $200. Also, many shelters already vaccinate and neuter/spay animals so you won't have to spend extra money on these extremely important treatments.

How to Find the Perfect Animal for Your House

The beauty of an animal shelter is that it is filled with all manner of cats, dogs, rabbits, and other creatures. Most shelters will check and vaccinate animals on arrival and will neuter or spay them before adoption. You can also find the right pet for you and your lifestyle through shelters or rescue groups. No worries, these pets are really healthy and well-mannered. That is the prevalent perception that everyone has: pets are dumped at shelters because they are sick, naughty, or violent. But that is not always the reason they end up in a shelter. Many are abandoned because their owners are migrating or have financial or time constraints. This means that adopted pets can be just as loyal and caring as a bought pet. And it's easy to find the one you like!

They May Not Need Training

A lot of shelters accept animals whose prior owners trained them. Famous shelters also offer social behavioral training for sheltered animals. If you don't have the time to teach a pet, then you can easily obtain a trained pet from a suitable shelter. So you will also save your money on training fees.

Kittens or Puppies are safer to get

Older dogs or cats have a hard time being trained to be good pets, especially if they have not had a proper owner to shelter them. They can have learned harmful habits from other strays. "And so they can be hazardous and foul to those around them. Bringing such an animal home can be counterproductive to your objective of having a loving and caring pet. But that’s not true with homeless pups and kittens. They’ll have ample time to be trained and socialized. With regular behavioral training, exercises, and social activities, adopted animals can be just like other normal pets.

You Inspire and Motivate Others to Adopt a Pet

There’s nothing more just than providing a good example for others. Once you have a pet and it’s worth your time and money, there’s a good chance other people may want to buy one for themselves too. Your siblings, relatives, neighbors, and colleagues are among the people. Many people don’t adopt dogs out of fear of the adoption process or because they haven't seen anyone around them adopt. If you adopt a pet, you will help raise awareness about homeless pets among others.

Adopt an animal today to help raise awareness about the suffering of homeless animals and to help encourage pet adoption!

by Maria A Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™ | Facts About Animal Homelessness:

• Stray arrivals: Roughly 59% of dogs and cats enter shelters as strays.
• Owner surrenders: About 30% of shelter animals are given up by their guardians.
• Purebred rates: Up to 25% of dogs in local shelters are purebred.