Today is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day! If your household could use a new furry member, then consider adopting from a local shelter or rescue group. Not sure if shelters are the way to go? Read on to learn why shelters are the best place to find your new friend!
1. You’ll save a life.
Animal shelters have limited space. From 2012-2013, 2.7 million adoptable cats and dogs were euthanized in shelters. So why not save a life and make space for another animal in the shelter?
2. You’ll be adopting a healthy pet.
Pets from stores and puppy mills are not always 100% healthy. Trust us on this one—we often see pet store puppies with parvovirus, a potentially life-threatening illness. However, shelters make sure their animals are happy and healthy. The skilled staff at a shelter gives animals vaccines and behavioral screenings
3. You will be supporting a valuable charity instead of pet stores or puppy mills, and you’ll be saving money too.
Shelters tend to be less expensive than stores because they care more about getting animals out of the shelter and into loving homes than about making money. They also already have vaccinations and spaying/neutering fees covered so you won’t have to worry about those added expenses.
4. You get to choose from a wide selection of breeds and ages.
Shelters don’t just carry specific breeds that are more profitable; instead the dogs that get brought into the shelter represent a wide variety. Also, most pet stores carry only young animals because puppies and kitties are in high demand. Shelters, however, have animals of all ages. We consider this a big bonus! Puppies and kittens can be a lot of work, and not everyone has that much time or energy to invest. The myth that says, “When you adopt a shelter pet, you adopt someone else’s problems” is just that—a myth. Shelter pets can all learn new, better habits, but adult animals may be less inclined to need housetraining, basic obedience, or lessons on NOT chasing your cat!
5. You and your family will be happier too!
You will all know that you made a difference in your new pet’s life, and as a result, you contributed to a cycle that allows a different animal to take your pet’s place at the shelter so that another family can adopt a new pet.
If you’re still debating whether or not to adopt a shelter pet, visit your local shelter or rescue and talk with the staff about your concerns. If you’re still unsure, you can also consider fostering a pet to help give you a better idea if you’re ready to adopt!
