Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Pet

If you're looking for a pet, there are many options to consider. You could buy an animal from a pet store or a breeder. Another alternative is adopting a pet from an animal shelter. Animal shelters are often overrun with dogs and cats that need happy, healthy homes. Many of these animals were either given up by their owners or were living as strays. They can make great pets for a variety of reasons.

  1. Save a Life

    • It's a sad fact that about 4 million dogs and cats are put to sleep each year because of overcrowding in animal shelters, according to The Humane Society of the United States. Pets who don't get adopted within a set time frame, which differs depending on the shelter, are often euthanized. If you adopt a shelter pet, you are saving its life. You're also helping another pet, who can then take over the space at the shelter your pet will vacate.

    Healthy Pet

    • Pets up for adoption at reputable animal shelters will be healthy. Most have trained specialists on hand to examine the animals when they arrive and make sure they are fit for adoption. Those that are sick usually get treatment. Shelters also normally give the animals proper shots and spay and neuter them. Some people think that shelter pets are damaged, but that is usually not true. According to the Humane Society, most pets are handed over to shelters for "people reasons," such as financial constraints, a move or a divorce.

    Save Money

    • The cost of adopting a pet varies widely depending on the shelter. For example, some may require that you pay for spaying or neutering the animal, while at others that is free. But adopting is almost always less expensive than buying an animal at a pet store or from a breeder.

    Don't Support Puppy Mills

    • A puppy mill is a breeder who breeds dogs for maximum profit with little regard for the animals. Many of these breeders do not properly care for the puppies or their parents and house them in bad conditions. The dogs may have poor medical care. But because the breeder is breeding dogs with pedigrees, they sell them for high prices to individuals and pet stores. If you want a certain dog breed, check first with local animal shelters. According to AdoptAPet.com, about 30 percent of shelter dogs are purebred.

    Feel Good

    • When you take your new pet away from the shelter and into your home, you are sure to feel good about it and your pet will love you for it. Pets can improve a person's well-being in many ways, from providing a sense of purpose to even lowering blood pressure.