Five Reasons Why You Should Adopt

May 6, 2015

Are you thinking about adding a pet to your family? Have you considered adopting your new furry… or not so furry friend?  Here are the five reasons why you should adopt your new best friend.

1. You will save a life

It is estimated that in 2008 approximately 3.7 million animals were euthanized in the United States. Unfortunately, this number is high because many people surrender their pets, and not many people adopt from shelters. Most animals are surrendered because the pet parent is no longer able to care for the animal. Because there is limited space in shelters, sometimes staff members have to make the difficult decision to euthanize animals who have not been adopted.

If more people turned to Shelters when looking for their new best friend, the number of euthanized animals could be dramatically reduced!

Not all homeless  pets end up in shelters. There are many animal rescue groups that specialize in specific breeds or specific types of animal. Often the animals who go to rescue groups are fostered in volunteers homes until they can be adopted.

2. Adopting a pet will put a smile on your face

Pets have a way of making us happy, and putting a huge smile on our face. Animals are full of unconditional love, affection and adorable moments. But did you know they have been shown to be emotionally, physiologically and physically beneficial. Many studies have shown that pet owners have lower blood pressure, cholesterol, less depression, and loneliness. Caring for a pet can provide purpose and fulfilment in a pet parents life. It also also improves physical health because people who own a cat or a dog spend more time out doors exercising.

3. You get a healthy pet when you adopt

Animal shelters and rescue groups are filled with happy, healthy animals waiting for their forever homes! Most shelters will spay/neuter the animals, as well as vaccinate them. The animals not only get medical care, but many shelters also screen for temperament, behaviour, and physical needs to ensure that each family finds the right pet for their lifestyle.

When we think about why pets end up in animal shelters we usually assume they are aggressive, they have terrible temperaments, or they did something very bad. This is a total misconception! Most animals are surrendered because of “people problems” such as a divorce, a move, financial constraints,  lack of time, or lack of energy.

4. Adopting will save you money

Adopting a pet from an animal shelter or rescue group is less expensive than buying from a pet store or breeder. Buying from a pet store or breeder can be thousands of dollars, but a shelter is usually only a few hundred.  When you adopt an animal from a shelter or rescue group they are usually already spayed/neutered and are fully vaccinated, this is a real bargain!

5. If you adopt you won’t be supporting puppy mills and pet stores

Puppy mills are inhumane factory style breeding facilities, where profit is above the welfare of the dog. Most puppies that are raised in puppy mills are housed in terrible conditions, with improper medial, physical and emotional care. The parents of the puppies are kept in cages to be bred over and over again for many years. Once these parents are no longer profitable they are killed, or abandoned. These dogs have no human companions, no love and little hope of ever finding a loving forever home.

The puppy-mill pups are usually sold in pet stores or over the internet to customers who have no idea where they came from. They are marketed as coming from top notch breeders to keep the money flowing to the puppy mills. Many of these puppies have serious health and psychological issues, that can go unnoticed for months.

By choosing to adopt a pet, you will not be supporting these cruel puppy mills.

By adopting from a shelter or rescue group, you will be helping two pets in need – the pet you adopt and a homeless pet still out there who can be rescued because of the space you helped to free up!