ASPCA
Thinking of adding a pet to your family? Here are five reasons to adopt your new best friend.
1. You'll save a life
Sadly, around 2.7 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year in
the United States simply because too many people give up their pets, and
too few people adopt from shelters. Because there is limited space at
shelters, staff members sometimes need to make very hard decisions to
euthanize animals who haven't been adopted.
The number of euthanized animals could be reduced dramatically if
more people adopted pets instead of buying them. By adopting from a
private humane society or animal shelter, breed rescue group, or the
local animal control agency, you'll help save the lives of two
animals—the pet you adopt and a homeless animal somewhere who can be
rescued because of space you helped free up.
2. You'll get a healthy pet
Animal shelters are brimming with happy, healthy animals just waiting
for someone to take them home. Most shelters examine and give
vaccinations to animals when they arrive, and many spay or neuter them
before being adopted. In addition to medical care, more and more
shelters also screen animals for specific temperaments and behaviors to
make sure each family finds the right pet for its lifestyle.
It is a common misconception that animals end up in shelters because
they've been abused or done something "wrong." In fact, most animals are
given to shelters because of "people reasons," not because of anything
they've done. Things like a divorce, a move, lack of time, and financial
constraints are among the most common reasons pets lose their homes.
3. You'll save money
Adopting a pet from an animal shelter is much less expensive than
buying a pet at a pet store or through other sources. In addition,
animals from many shelters are already spayed or neutered and
vaccinated, which makes the shelter's fee a real bargain.
4. You'll feel better
Pets have a way of putting a smile on your face and a spring in your
step. Not only do animals give you unconditional love, but they have
been shown to be psychologically, emotionally, and physically
beneficial. Caring for a companion animal can provide a sense of purpose
and fulfillment and lessen feelings of loneliness and isolation in all
age groups.
Find your new best friend today! Search for adoptable pets at the Shelter Pet Project.
Pets can help your physical health as well—just spending time with an
animal can help lower a person's blood pressure and cholesterol levels,
and dog walking, pet grooming, and even petting provide increased
physical activity that can help strengthen the heart, improve blood
circulation, and slow the loss of bone tissue. Put simply, pets aren't
just good friends; they're also good medicine and can improve a person's
well-being in many ways.
5. You won't be supporting puppy mills and pet stores
Puppy mills are "factory style" dog-breeding facilities that put
profit above the welfare of dogs. Most dogs raised in puppy mills are
housed in shockingly poor conditions with improper medical care, and the
parents of the puppies are kept in cages to be bred over and over for
years, without human companionship and with little hope of ever joining a
family. And after they're no longer profitable, breeding dogs are
simply discarded—either killed, abandoned or sold at auction.
Puppy-mill puppies are sold to unsuspecting consumers in pet stores,
over the Internet, and through newspaper classified advertisements to
whoever is willing to pay for them.
Marketed as coming from great breeders, well-rehearsed sales tactics
keep money flowing to the puppy mill by ensuring that buyers never get
to see where the pups actually come from (a vital step in puppy-buying).
Many of the puppies have serious behavioral and health problems that
might not be apparent for months, including medical problems that can
cost thousands of dollars to treat, if they are treatable at all.
Unfortunately, a lot of people are not even aware that puppy mills
exist, so when they buy a pet from a pet store, online or other retail
outlet, they are unwittingly supporting this cruel industry.
By adopting instead of buying a pet, you can be certain you aren't
supporting cruel puppy mills with your money. Puppy mills will continue
to operate until people stop purchasing their dogs. Instead of buying a
dog, visit your local shelter where you will likely to find dozens of
healthy, well-socialized puppies and adult dogs—including purebreds—just
waiting for that special home—yours.
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