Why Should I Adopt?
So, the kids have been asking for ages they want a dog or maybe you've finally moved into an apartment that allows pets. You've decided you're finally going to do it and bring a cute little animal into your home. There are a lot of options out there for getting a pet, and adoption has many benefits you may not have considered.
The top one that you'll hear everyone mention – You're saving a life.
This may sound a bit cheesy, or pushy to you but honestly, it’s true. Animal shelters often, unfortunately, have to put down some animals if they do not eventually get adopted.
This doesn't just happen to animals that have come from neglect homes, and need to be nursed back to health but also to healthy animals too, sometimes simply because the shelter has a lack of space. Each year around 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized.
By choosing your new pet from an adoption agency or shelter, you will be allowing this poor animal to avoid that horrible fate. Often, also greatly improving their quality of life. Although shelters do their best to provide the best home possible for their animals, it's just not the same as being at home with a person (or people) that can devote more time and attention to them.
There's a lot of choices and you get to meet them first
Animal shelters these days are often full to the brim. You will be spoilt for choice when you arrive. You may have preconceptions of the type or breed of animal you want but find that upon seeing all these animals another takes your fancy.
It's likely that upon your visit to the shelter you will find an animal that you love and immediately form a bond with. You get to meet them before you make a decision and spend time with them, allowing you to think through your choice properly. Sometimes, something in the animal's personality will match yours and you will just know you want to take them home.
It's good for your wallet
This might be a slightly selfish reason but who doesn't love to save a bit of money?
Buying a new pet can be expensive, demand for baby animals is high, allowing prices to skyrocket. You could be looking at anything from $500-$1000 – That's a lot of cash.
Most shelters will often vaccinate, microchip and spay or neuter animals that come in through their doors. These can be costly services to provide to a new animal and also a hassle to arrange with your vet. So, by adopting your new pet you will not have that weight on your wallet or your mind.
Many of the animals in shelters are also house trained. You won't have to spend time or money preparing your house for any unfortunate accidents. You also won't have to go through those sometimes frustrating first few months of finding random accidents all over the house.
You get a pet!
The obvious and biggest pro of adopting a pet is the pet part. 36.5% of US households own a dog, and 30.4% own a cat, they can’t all be wrong!
You get a new member of the family that you will love for a lifetime. Someone to cuddle up on the sofa with, a new best friend who will be there with you for years to come. Your new companion will give you unconditional love and never judge you, you may even find yourself sharing secrets with them you have never told anyone else.
Deciding to adopt a pet is a big decision but there are many great benefits for both you and the animal. The bond you have with a pet is like no other, so it's definitely worth considering giving an animal from a shelter a second chance a welcoming them into your home.
