Why Adopt an Animal Instead of Buying?

Adoption has become a popular option among prospective pet owners and offers several advantages over purchasing a pet from breeders or pet stores. Many different animals can be adopted, from dogs and cats to reptiles like iguanas and snakes. There are shelters throughout the world that often house dozens of different animals, as well as various rescue organizations that can be consulted when deciding on adoption.

  1. Preventing Euthanasia

    • Most shelters operate under a euthanasia policy in which older or ill dogs and cats are put to death to accommodate more animals. Shelters have a limited number of kennels, so when you adopt an animal, you're freeing another kennel and possibly saving an animal's life that would otherwise be put down. Cats are often more in danger of being put down, since stray cats are far more common than stray dogs. Many shelters cannot accommodate other animals like ferrets, lizards, or snakes for very long, which might be put down even more quickly.

    Maturity

    • When you purchase a puppy or kitten, there's no way of knowing what behavioral issues it might have as an adult. If you adopt a pet that already has grown and matured, you essentially know what you're getting as far as behavior goes. If you want a relaxed dog or cat, you can make that a part of your criteria. On the other hand, if you want a dog or cat that's energetic, you can make that a part of your search.

    Desexing

    • Neutering or spaying a cat or dog is an important procedure to prevent unwanted breeding and contributing to overpopulation in animals, which is a reason for such full shelters in the first place. Many shelter animals already have been spayed or neutered, which can be a huge plus for prospective pet owners.

    House Training

    • House training is another important aspect to pet owning. Luckily, many shelter dogs are already crate-trained and house-broken because of their experience with previous owners. Cats also have been trained to use a litter box.

    Minimal Fees and Medical Checks

    • Shelters typically charge small adoption fees. Purchasing a puppy or kitten elsewhere can be expensive and even unreliable, since your pet might not have all of the necessary shots or medical care before it reaches you. Adopted animals are usually put through a medical checkup to make sure they have no major ailments.