Reasons for Adopting a Pet

Adopting a pet has many advantages over buying one. Adoption costs are generally much lower, and many pure bred animals suffer medical conditions which will require expensive vet fees. Adopting a pet also allows you to choose the type and age of the animal. Animals are placed for adoption for a variety of reasons, including death of an owner, surrender due to circumstances, or abandonment. To search for adoptable pets, visit your local animal shelter or ask your vetrinarian for leads.

  1. Save a Life

    • Adopting from an animal shelter saves a life. Millions of animals end up at shelters for a variety of reasons, and some of those animals will never be adopted out. By adopting from a shelter, you save the life of the animal and provide the space for another animal who needs assistance. Each shelter is run differently and sometimes food, space and money aren't always readily available, making it difficult to care for every stray animal that comes through the door.

    Less Expensive

    • The cost to purchase a pure bred animal from a pet store or breeder can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. According to the Humane Society of the U.S., up to 25% of shelter animals are pure bred, so if you're looking for a pure bred animal, start at your local shelter. Sometimes owners purchase these animals and then find they cannot properly care for it, surrendering it to their local shelter. Shelter fees for adoptions usually include vet-checks, vaccinatioins, deworming and spay or neuter surgery. Many shelters provide support for those who adopt animals from them, as well as an array of literature and information for obedience classes or grooming information.

    Support a Cause

    • Puppy mills have become a large problem throughout the world. These facilities breed animals for profit. They generally breed the same animal over and over again, without providing it proper care and nutrition. Chances are these animals never leave their cage until they are too old to breed, in which case they are euthanized, sold or abandoned. Many puppy mills sell to pet stores or place advertisements in the newspaper without disclosing where the animal came from. If you purchase an animal from a puppy mill, it will likely experience health problems from improper nutrition. By adopting an animal, you are doing your part to not support puppy mills.

    Lifelong Friend

    • Shelter animals aren't there because they are bad animals. Chances are it once had a loving family. A variety of issues bring animals to shelters -- death of an owner, family moving, divorce, illness, allergies, new baby or the owner can't afford to care for the animal. By adopting an animal, you are giving it a second chance at life. Many animals will love you unconditionally, and you will have a friend for life.