Friday, June 19, 2015

Why Adopt a Shelter Pet?

-You Save a Life:
Millions of adoptable pets are euthanized each year for various reasons, but that number could be greatly reduced if people would adopt them instead of buying them. By adopting from a private humane society or animal shelter, 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.

-You Get a Healthy Pet:
It is a common misconception that animals end up in shelters or with rescue groups because they've been abused or done something “wrong". In fact, most animals are given to shelters or rescue groups because of "people reasons," not because of anything they've done. Things like a divorce, moving, and financial constraints are among the most common reasons pets lose their homes. Most shelter residents are healthy, affectionate animals. Many have already lived with a human family and have the basic training, socialization, and cooperative skills they need to become part of your household. Most shelters give their animals vaccinations, spay and neuter, and give other medical care when necessary.
Another myth is that shelter dogs are all mutts. In fact, 25 percent of shelter dogs are purebreds.

-You Save Money:
It is much less expensive to adopt than it is to buy them from a pet store. As mentioned, most of the pets in shelters have already been spayed, neutered, and vaccinated at no cost to you. Some even chip the pets for you without you having to pay a penny. Shelter pets are a bargain! For a reasonable cost, you can adopt an animal that would cost several hundred dollars elsewhere. Buying a pet can easily cost over one thousand dollars, while adoption fees can be kept as low as two hundred dollars.

-You Won’t Be Supporting Puppy Mills and Pet Stores:
This is the biggest concern. When you buy a pet from a pet store you are actually giving money to puppy mills, the breeding facilities whose one focus is making money, without a care for how the animals are treated. These pets are kept in poor conditions and are not given proper medical care. As soon as a pet is no longer marketable, they are discarded: killed, abandoned, or sold at auction.

-After Buying a Pet Store Animal, You’re On Your Own:
Most pet stores don’t give out support if you have questions or concerns, or if you are having trouble with your new pet. On the other hand, when you adopt from a rescue group, you will always have support and advice when you need it. The rescue group will also help you through the familiarization period, because they are invested in providing a good home for that animal.









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