So You Want a Pet - The Adoption Option

It's common knowledge that our country's animal shelters are overflowing with homeless pets. Everyone knows that each year, thousands are put to death because there's simply no room for them all. Yet, despite this knowledge, people still continue to buy puppies, kitties, and bunnies from pet stores and breeders. Why is this?

Perhaps it's the thought that getting a young pet makes them more attached to you. Or, maybe people don't realize that these animal shelters are everywhere, not just in big cities. There are many myths about adoption that are easily debunked by the facts: that adopted pets are just as good of pets as ones bought from pet stores and in some cases can be even better. Let's examine a few of the reasons why adopting a pet is your best option.

First of all, many pets up for adoption these days haven't had the easiest time in life. They've been abused, abandoned, or forgotten. Animal shelters and rescues will foster these animals and show them the love and compassion they've been missing out on. Oftentimes these animals show a greater appreciation because of their traumatic backgrounds.

Another advantage to adoption is the knowledge that your pet has been checked over thoroughly by a vet and in most cases has been spayed or neutered. Thus, you needn't worry about unexpected diseases or unwanted pregnancies.

Animals that come in to shelters with behavioral problems, such as poor house or litter training, will usually have that behavior corrected by the volunteers at the shelter. Many shelters and rescues will work for hours with individual animals that may have unwanted behaviors in order to make them adoptable.

By far, the most important aspect to adopting an animal is knowing that you have saved a life. For every no-kill animal shelter there are dozens of shelters that must resort to euthanasia because they simply have no other choice. When you look at that animal who has become a member of your family, imagine what might have happened to your companion had you not adopted them. They might have ended up like thousands of animals do every year: being put to sleep to make room for more abandoned and abused pets.

One reason many people don't consider adoption is because they are looking for a particular breed of animal. To be clear, there are a variety of breeds available for adoption, even rare breeds. Also, even if you can't get the specific breed or look that you want doesn't mean you wouldn't love another breed of animal any less. Have an open mind when choosing a pet and don't discount an animal because it's not the breed you wanted. You could be passing up a wonderful creature by doing so.

The satisfaction you get from adopting a pet far outweighs any of the few potential pitfalls. Most shelters and rescues will post their adoptable animals on this site so that potential adopters can easily find potential adoptees. You won't regret giving a rescue animal a chance.