Are you ready to add to your household with a new pet? Whether you’re a dog person or a cat person, it’s important to consider if you’ll be adopting your new companion from a shelter or buying it from a breeder or a pet store. There are so many worthwhile reasons for adopting a pet rather than purchasing one. Here are seven of them.
- It’s less costly
While the money you’ll need to spend at the outset might not be top of mind, it’s valuable to give it some thought. People in business to sell dogs or cats, understandably, are interested in making a profit. Pet stores often obtain their animals from breeders, so you’re not saving any money there.
Depending on how much the breeder has already spent on the puppy or kitten, what they want to make on the sale and how in demand the breed is, your new pet could cost many hundreds of dollars. If you adopt, expect to pay the cost of vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and a modest adoption fee.
- You’re not supporting backyard breeders
Certainly, there are many reputable breeders. However, it’s not always easy to know the conditions your new pet lived in, and the demand for certain breeds can result in some very unscrupulous individuals getting into breeding.
It’s not hard to find stories in the media about puppies and kittens being housed in deplorable conditions by uncaring or cruel people who are just trying to make easy money. Oftentimes, animal shelters are able to rescue these animals, give them the medical care they need, and rehabilitate them for adoption.
- It’s helping a pet in need
Humane societies go to extraordinary lengths to help their canine and feline charges find a forever home. Unless the animal has been born on-site, they’re either being rehomed since the last family couldn’t continue to care for them or they’ve been rescued from an abusive situation.
Some shelters are what’s called “no kill” places while others have a policy of euthanizing pets to ensure that they have the capacity to house as many animals as possible. It’s good to keep this in mind when you’re deciding on a dog or cat to adopt, as some may be running out of time.
- You’re subsidizing a great organization
By adopting your latest family member from an animal shelter or humane society, you’re supporting the outstanding work they do. These organizations are essential and assist thousands of animals right across the United States every year. They’re staffed with animal experts who know how to nurture abandoned and abused dogs and cats and prepare them to be lovely family pets. Plus, they can be a lifeline for individuals when a pet has to be surrendered due to the owner’s death or an unexpected economic pressure.
Being introduced to your local animal shelter is also a chance to see the amazing work they do and the number of programs that they operate. This may motivate you, for example, to foster an animal or volunteer to walk some of the dogs.
- You’ll have solid support
With the expertise of your humane society, you’ll have solid support to rely on when you need it. Some societies operate a full veterinary clinic while others can give you advice about dealing with your pet’s behavioral issues or how to approach a landlord about adopting a pet.
A shelter might even be able to help you secure free pet food if your financial resources become stretched or find a short-term foster family if you’re going to be in the hospital. When you adopt your feline or canine, find out all you can about the services the organization provides.
- No need to house train
Chances are, you’ll be adopting a mature animal from a humane society. This means that your new pooch will probably come house trained and your kitty will already know how to use a litter box. While buying a kitten or puppy can sound very attractive, remember that getting through the training and teething stages takes some doing.
- You’ll find a good match
The selection of cats and dogs at your local shelter offers the opportunity for you to find a good match. Pet owners will often talk about how Fido or Smokey seemed to find them rather than the other way around.
Although it’s common to feel that your new companion has chosen you, the humane society staff have the skillset to help pair you with the best animal. Expect them to ask about who else lives in the household (including other pets), what your lifestyle is like, and other questions that will assist them to suggest the perfect adoptee.
Considering the mission of shelters to rescue animals and find new homes for them, not to mention the range of resources they have and the variety of beautiful dogs and cats, there’s really no reason to look elsewhere.