10 Reasons Why You Should Adopt A Shelter Pet

Thinking of adding a new furry member to your family? Here are some important reasons why you should consider adopting shelter dogs or cats and providing them with their new forever home! Here's 10 reasons to adopt your next pet!

Why You Should Adopt A Shelter Animal

1. Save a life.

According to the ASPCA, approximately 2.7 million animals are euthanized each year-that’s 1.2 million dogs and 1.4 million cats. In fact, among shelter cats, more are euthanized (41%) than adopted (37%). You can help change these numbers!

2. Say NO to puppy mills and pet stores.

Puppy mills supply most commercial pet stores with the puppies that they sell. The female dogs are often kept in inhumane conditions in a pet store and have litter after litter of puppies.

The puppies in a pet store are taken away from their mothers at an early age and shipped to dealers. Don’t support puppy mills or the vendors they work with.

3. Choose from a great variety of animals.

Your local shelter is full of incredible dogs and cats (not to mention rabbits and other pets) available for adoption. Not interested in a “mutt” or “alley cat”? … No problem! Shelter animals come in all shapes and sizes, including many purebred animals.

Always wanted a black and white long-haired male cat? You can find exactly what you’re looking for at the shelter.

4. Save money while you save a life.

Purebred pets from a breeder or a pet store can cost anywhere from $500 to $2000. There’s no need to spend that kind of money when you can get a shelter pet for a nominal adoption fee, sometimes as little as $25…even for a purebred dog or cat!

5. Give an adult pet a new loving home.

Don’t feel like going through the puppy and kitten stage with a new pet? There are lots of adult dogs and cats just waiting for a new home at every shelter. Some of the sweetest shelter animals are the adults.

Often you will find a loving, mellow dog or cat whose elderly owner died or went into a nursing home who is patiently waiting for a lap and a cuddle!

6. Support your local community.

Your local animal welfare organization is an important part of the community. Besides taking in and adopting out homeless pets, they also perform valuable services such as low cost spay/neuter and humane education. Your adoption fee enables these non-profits to help more pets.

7. Put an end to pet overpopulation.

There are millions of homeless dogs and cats in shelters across the country. Unfortunately, many owners haven’t gotten the message about the importance of spay/neuter, and there are many more kittens and puppies born than homes to take them.

Animal shelters in cities and counties, as well as charity shelters and rescue groups, are teeming with dogs who have lost their homes for a variety of reasons.

You can help break the cycle of pet overpopulation by adopting a homeless pet.

8. Your new shelter pet will be healthy.

Shelters and rescue groups put a lot of effort into making sure that their animals are well taken care of. Very young animals are often sent to foster families for nurturing in-home care. Your new pet will be spayed or neutered and up-to-date on all necessary vaccinations. Many are also microchipped. Make sure to get a copy of your new pet’s health record from the shelter.

9. Your new shelter pet will be socialized.

Animals rescued from the streets or less than ideal living conditions can have behavioral issues. Shelters take the socialization process very seriously. Volunteers come to the shelter and work with shy cats. Shelter dogs get excellent socialization and training from dedicated and experienced volunteers to ensure successful adoptions.

   10. Help spread the word about pet adoption.

Go ahead, wear that “Never shop, always adopt” t-shirt, put that pet rescue sticker on your car, and tell everyone on Facebook and at the dog park where you got your amazing pet! Spread the good word about adopting a shelter pet. 

You can also help and pledge support to the Humane Society of the United States here. It helps make an impact in the ongoing fight to protect all animals.

Thinking of adopting a homeless pet from Mexico? Here are some tips to get your started.