So, you're considering introducing a pet into your life. It's an exciting and life-changing decision, but one that shouldn't be made half-heartedly. There is much to think about. Is your home safe and suitable for a pet? Can you afford to look after an animal? How much time can you devote to your new four-legged friend? Will you buy or adopt a pet?
A lot of people believe adopting an animal is one of the best things you will ever do, for both the animal and yourself. Here, we want to share with you some reasons why adopting a pet would benefit you and your family and the misconceptions of adopting.
1. You Are Saving a Life
Every year, approximately 6.5 million pets enter animal shelters nationwide, and 1.5 million become euthanized. And with the current shelter crisis, numbers are on the rise. Too often, shelters euthanize animals due to room constraints, but if more people adopted pets instead of buying them, the number of pets euthanized would lower dramatically. When you adopt, not only do you save your loving new companion, but you make space for other animals who desperately need it, creating a domino effect of goodness.
2. Eradicate Puppy Farms & Unethical Breeders
A puppy farm or mill is the illegal practice of breeding puppies for the purpose of making profits for the breeders, without any regard to the dogs’ health or wellbeing. Dogs at puppy farms are often forced to breed several times until they’re physically and emotionally traumatized. They are often kept in terrible conditions without basic hygiene and necessities. The same thing can happen to cats, rabbits, hamsters, and other pets. Unethical breeders are not concerned with producing healthy animals, which results in the animals born with severe problems that emerge over time. They also usually don’t receive any veterinary care and will often be killed once they can no longer reproduce. Adopting from a shelter can aid in stopping animals from being subjected to such horrific circumstances. Rather than funding this illegal and unethical trade, you will be rehoming a pet from a non-profit organization that supports animal welfare.
3.Adopting Is More Affordable
Buying a pet is not cheap. Prices range from $500 to $1,000 or more! And that does not include the cost of spay/neuter, first vaccinations or microchipping. Adoption fees rarely break $200 and often include all those post-adoption amenities. A bargain when you consider you’ll be bringing home the companion of a lifetime!
4. Get a Vaccinated & House-trained Pet
Workers and volunteers in animal shelters work hard to ensure a rescued animal is healthy and safe before it is considered adoptable. So don’t worry about getting a ‘sick’ animal from the shelter. Some animals might have scars or defects from their years of abuse or hardship in the streets, but they should have been treated with vaccines and medications prior to adoption. If you’re adopting directly from the previous owner, you can get the animal checked at the vet first. Don’t forget to spay and neuter while you’re at it! Shelter animals are also house-trained to go to the loo. This saves you time from having to toilet-train a newborn kitten or puppy. You’ll also be surprised at the story behind each animal in the shelter. Many cats and dogs there came from difficult backgrounds, but once they are loved, their personality drastically changes.
5.You Get A Support System
When you get a dog from a pet store, the transaction usually ends once you exit the door. Many pet stores don’t have the resources or knowledge to provide any support if you have questions or problems with your new pet. However, shelters and rescue groups usually have history on the animal, and the volunteers get to know the animal’s personality and likes and dislikes. This helps ease the transition, and more often than not, shelters are happy to help you through the introductory period because they care that the animal goes to a happy home.
6. Become an Older Animal's Best (Human) Friend
There are many good things when you adopt a puppy or a kitten from the shelter. However, the sad thing is that many older cats and dogs are left unwanted in the shelter for months and even years. Until one day, they have to be euthanized. Consider adopting adults cats or dogs if you’re looking for a pet that’s more independent and quieter. Older or adult pets are often calmer and quite happy just sitting by your side, compared to the hyper-active young ones. They still need plenty of playtime and attention, though! Adopt an adult cat or dog and see how loving and caring they are, while being playful and naughty at times too.
