It’s no secret that pets bring absolute joy to our lives, and this very reason might compel you to add a furry member to your family. You might be thinking about buying a cute little kitten or puppy from a pet store or breeder. While that’s understandable, you should consider pet adoption in an ideal situation. You can discover your very own adorable critter from a rescue home or pet shelter.

You are saving a life
At the moment, our country is facing a huge predicament of pet overpopulation. About 6 to 8 million animals are admitted into shelters every year, and, unfortunately, not every pet finds a loving home. As a result, the shelters are overpopulated, and the pets might not get the required care due to lack of sufficient resources. The millions of pets who aren’t adopted, especially the old ones, end up being euthanized. Through pet adoption, you literally save a life. Most of these pets are rescued from the streets or inhumane conditions or are surrendered by their former owners. By providing them with a home, you’re giving them a second chance to love and spread love in your life.

You will save money
Spending a thousand dollars on a pet might not be an option for everyone. When you adopt a pet from a shelter, you just have to pay the adoption fee, which is significantly lower than what pet breeders or pet stores charge. At times, you could even adopt two animals for the price of one, particularly when the shelter doesn’t have enough space to accommodate these critters. If you are interested in adopting an old animal, you could also be granted a discounted fee.

Additionally, you could end up saving on veterinary costs, as most of the animals that enter the shelter are already neutered or spayed. In most cases, they are also dewormed, vaccinated, and microchipped. Likewise, some shelters get cats tested for FeLV and dogs for heartworm diseases. To encourage potential pet parents to adopt, certain shelters also offer free training or a voucher for free veterinary exams at local vet clinics.

You will certainly find the perfect match
At the shelter, there is a myriad of breeds that you can choose from, and you are more likely to find a pet of the age you prefer. For example, if you prefer an older, trained pet, there is a good chance that you will get one in the pet shelter. Alternatively, if you have kids at home who want a kitten or puppy, you will also find hundreds of them at the shelter.

You are helping another animal as well
By adopting a pet, you are also helping out another animal. As mentioned earlier, animals shelters are facing a serious crisis of overcrowding. When you take a pet home, you are making space for another animal needing food and necessary medical care in the shelter.

You are setting a good example
Pet adoption can set a good example, especially for children. It enables you to teach them the need and importance of kindness. Apart from this, it can also inspire people around you to adopt and make a difference, also giving you an opportunity to meet likeminded pet owners from the adoption shelter.

You are fighting puppy mills
A puppy mill is an ugly manifestation of the animal-trade industry. It’s a practice where animals are forced to breed puppies on a frequent basis. These puppies are then sold for thousands of dollars. To make matters worse, these dog breeding facilities keep both the female and male dogs in shameful and filthy conditions, where they are deprived of love, nutrition, and basic medical care. Not all breeders are involved in this cruel practice, but it’s safer to adopt a pet than to buy. Also, pet adoption is essentially lending a hand to put an end to this gruesome act.

How can you promote pet adoption?
If you have already adopted a pet but want to do more for this cause, you can contribute by taking the following measures:

• You can be a foster parent to an animal in need until it finds its rightful owner.
• You can share information and pictures of pets looking for parents via your social media accounts.
• You can volunteer in animal shelters or rescue homes in your spare time to help the animals get homes and medical aid.
• You can educate your family and friends about pet adoption and encourage them to adopt.
• You can donate useful items to the animal shelter or rescue home, like money, food, towels, medicines, and blankets.
• You can be actively involved in identifying and stopping animal abuse or abandonment with the help of law enforcement agencies and rescue groups.