Looking For A New Pet? Why You Should Adopt From A Shelter Or Rescue Group

It happens to the best of us. At some point, you find yourself sitting on the couch, looking off into nothingness, thinking about going for a run with a four-legged friend or snuggling into bed at night with a purring, furry buddy cuddled up next to you. Adopting a pet can be a rewarding and wonderful experience, so it’s no wonder why millions of Americans love their pets.

Photo courtesy MonotonousSarah.

If you’re thinking about adding a new member to your family, here’s a piece of advice: consider visiting your local shelter or rescue group first. Need a little convincing? OK, you twisted my arm:

• Hundreds of thousands of fantastic animals are waiting for their forever homes in rescues and shelters across the U.S. Take an afternoon to visit your local shelter or rescue to meet the great personalities available for adoption there.

• Thinking of buying a pet from a store? Consider this: There are rescues and shelters for nearly any type of animal you could consider purchasing.

• Every year, up to 8 million pets end up in shelters. Half of those will not be adopted. Unfortunately, many face euthanization because of a lack of space at some shelters.

• Looking for a specific breed? Turn to your local shelter. About a quarter of shelter pets are purebreds. No luck? Breed-specific rescue groups are always looking to find great homes for their purebred pets.

• Have a heart. Most of the pets who end up in shelters are there for no fault of their own. Many people give up their cat or dog when they move. This means that there are many family-ready pets just waiting for a home!

• Shelter pets are a serious bargain. Their fees often include the cost of vaccinations, a spay/neuter surgery, housing, microchip, deworming, and more. These fees are often considerably less than the costs you’d incur if you adopted a cat for free and had to take care of the expenses on your own. Because of all of this, you can also be confident that you’re adopting a healthy animal.

• Shelters and rescues get to know their pets, which means that when you come looking for your next friend, they can point you to a great match.

Did I miss something? Please share in the comments!