Currently, many pet owners continue to buy animals from private breeders and stores instead of from animal or rescue shelters. Here are some reasons why adopting an animal from shelters can be more beneficial for both owners and the countless animals looking for a home!
1. You're saving a life
In the United States, around 1.5 million animals in shelters are being euthanized every year, the majority of these cases occurring because of shelter overcrowding and not enough available adoptive homes. Many of these animals are healthy but unfortunately are put down because of a lack of resources to continue to care for them.
Currently, more cats and dogs are bought from private breeders and stores than adopted from shelters. The number of euthanizations would dramatically decrease if more people were willing to adopt from shelters. This would also open up more space within the shelters for animals who really need it. So shelter adoption not only saves one life but also directly influences the quality of hundreds of others!
2. It costs less money
The average cost of adopting an animal is significantly lower compared to buying one from a breeder or pet store. The prices for adopting are typically around $100 for a dog and $50 for a cat, while the average price of buying tends to be around $1,000 or more.
Of course, these numbers vary depending on geographical location.
Potential adoptive owners not only save money on the initial adoption fees, but also on vaccinations, spay/neuter costs, and sometimes even microchipping - the things shelters generally tend to take care of before owners bring their animal home. On top of this, many animals in shelters are already house trained, additionally saving you on potential damage fees that might result from a young pet who hasn't been trained!
3. You will fall in love
There are many misconceptions about shelter animals, which results in people being less willing to adopt. Some have painted the picture that shelter animals tend to be more aggressive, not as clean, won't work well with children, and won't bond with a new owner. However, these are all myths and far from reality. Whether pets are purchased from a breeder, store, or a shelter, all animals have different personalities, dispositions, and characters. In fact, shelter animals are often better cared for compared to private breeders and stores, where animals are more likely to get sick, live in unsanitary conditions, and not receive proper veterinary care. However, no matter where you get your pet, your chances of falling in love with them remain the same.
In addition, having a pet has been proven by various studies to improve overall health, happiness, and to even add years to the life of the owner. They tend to build close relationships with their owners providing comfort, helping with depression, anxiety, and loneliness. However, unlike buying, adopting from a shelter is a win-win because owners not only receive all these health benefits but are also able to help an animal in need!
4. Many animals are house trained
Oftentimes, when you buy a pet from a breeder or store, they have not been house trained. Unlike buying a kitten or puppy, a slightly older pet from a shelter may already have formed good habits and behaviors from their previous owners. Shelter pets oftentimes have also experienced living in different homes through the foster program, which significantly reduces their anxiety when entering a new household. In addition, shelters provide owners with detailed documentation on every pet's behavior and health issues. They even go out of their way to ensure that the pets are only adopted to owners that can handle their special needs. Not only does this make a new owner's life easier, but it also saves them money, in the long run, resulting anywhere from having a spoiled rug to hiring a more expensive dog trainer!
5. You'll take a stance against puppy mills
The sad truth is that the majority of dogs that are bought from pet stores come from puppy mills. This industry partakes in factory-style breeding, which subscribes to the belief of profit over the animal's general welfare. Oftentimes, the puppies are taken from their mothers at a young age, denying them the socialization that is critical for their mental health. They are then put in overcrowded cages where they are denied proper veterinary care, food, water, and basic necessities. As a result, many end up with behavior troubles and are mentally and physically exhausted.
As long as people continue to buy animals from stores instead of adopting from shelters, puppy mills will continue to gain profit and pursue their horrible practices. When pets are adopted, puppy mills lose power and owners take a stand against this vicious industry!
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