By Crew Rory
Animal shelters and rescue organizations do an amazing job taking care of pets. They also work to educate people on how to best care for their new pets.
Puppy mills are for-profit businesses that quickly churn out puppies and kittens to sell at pet stores. This leads to hefty vet bills and a whole host of problems down the road. Adopting a pet instead of buying from a breeder has many benefits.
You’ll Save a Life
Almost 3 million dogs and cats enter shelters in the United States each year, and due to limited space, many of them are euthanized. When you adopt a pet, you save their life and the life of the next dog or cat that gets their spot at the shelter/rescue, making it a win-win for everyone involved. Shelter pets are often well-socialized and may already know basic commands, tricks and how to behave around other dogs or people. Plus, they’re usually house-trained and ready for their forever home. Adopting a pet from a shelter like the Humane Society of New York shows your support for the animals rescued from puppy mills. These for-profit businesses are incentivized to churn out puppies and kittens as quickly as possible so they can sell them in pet stores.
Unconditional Love
The unconditional love of pets can help lower stress and make people happier. They provide companionship and joy and teach us to empathize more with others.
Adopters are usually required to pay a small adoption fee for the pet they adopt. This money helps the shelter or rescue cover the cost of food, housing, staffing and veterinary care. However, the real cost of owning a pet is much higher than the initial fee. A dog or cat can easily cost several hundred dollars a year in expenses like grooming and shots, especially if it has a long, dense coat. Fortunately, many veterinarians offer a wellness plan where you can pay monthly rather than upfront for each shot or grooming session.
You’ll Save a Pet’s Life
Each year, millions of cats and dogs enter shelters across the United States. Many are victims of cruelty, while others are surrendered by their owners due to life changes or housing issues. Unfortunately, these animals are often euthanized simply because there aren’t enough homes for them. By adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue, you’ll be giving them a second chance at life. You’ll also be helping to fight puppy mills, for-profit breeding facilities that put profit above animal welfare. By adopting, you’ll show your disapproval of these cruel businesses and decrease demand for their products. In turn, this will help stop the overpopulation of shelters and rescues. Fortunately, most shelters and rescue groups offer low-cost or free adoptions, including vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, flea and tick treatment and dewormer.
You’ll Help the Shelter
Your local animal shelter and rescue groups do an amazing job with limited resources. From rescuing animals from kill facilities to fostering community cats and providing affordable spay/neuter services, they help untold numbers of pets and people. They are valuable members of our communities, and you can support them in many ways.
Think about getting a pet from a rescue organization or local shelter. Alternatively, you might temporarily foster an animal from a shelter to free up space and get to know your future companion.
You’ll Save Money
In addition to food and housing, shelters often need funding for veterinary care. They can raise money by donating, sponsoring an adoption event and holding fundraisers.
Pet ownership is expensive. But if you adopt, you can save hundreds to thousands of dollars. When you adopt a pet, you’re also showing your disapproval of puppy mills—for-profit breeders that put profit before the health and welfare of puppies. This means fewer unwanted animals end up in shelters. This allows shelters to focus on their lifesaving work, like reuniting lost pets with their owners or working with elected officials to create more pet-friendly housing. Every adoption is a victory in the fight against animal cruelty.
