[Corky/Max]

Top 5 reasons to adopt a dog from an animal shelter or rescue group.


Animal shelters are the first place to look when you are thinking of adding a pet to your family. Not only do they have a great selection of adult animals for adoption, but many of them also have kittens, puppies and purebred animals.

1. You'll Save a Life.
Sadly, between 3 and 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year in the United States simply because too many people give up their pets and too few people adopt from shelters. Because there is limited space at shelters, staff members sometimes need to make very hard decisions to euthanize animals who haven't been adopted. But the number of euthanized animals could be reduced dramatically if more people adopted pets instead of buying them. By adopting from a private humane society or animal shelter, breed 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.


2. You'll Get a Healthy Pet.
Animal shelters are brimming with happy, healthy animals just waiting for someone to take them home. Most shelters examine and give vaccinations to animals when they arrive, and many spay or neuter them before being adopted. In addition to medical care, more and more shelters also screen animals for specific temperaments and behaviors to make sure each family finds the right pet for its lifestyle.


3. You'll Save Money.
Adopting a pet from an animal shelter is much less expensive than buying a pet or even getting one free thanks to the services provided by the shelter or rescue group. Because animals from most groups are already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, de-wormed and often bathed and treated for fleas, the adoption fee is a real bargain.


4. You'll Feel Better.
Pets have a way of putting a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Not only do animals give you unconditional love, but they have been shown to be psychologically, emotionally, and physically beneficial. Caring for a companion animal can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment and lessen feelings of loneliness and isolation in all age groups.


5. You Won't Be Supporting Puppy Mills and Pet Stores.
Puppy mills are “factory style” dog-breeding facilities that put profit above the welfare of dogs. Most dogs raised in puppy mills are housed in shockingly poor conditions with improper medical care, and the parents of the puppies are kept in cages to be bred over and over for years, without human companionship and with little hope of ever joining a family. And after they're no longer profitable, breeding dogs are simply discarded—either killed, abandoned or sold at auction. By adopting instead of buying a pet, you can be certain you aren't supporting cruel puppy mills with your money. Puppy mills will continue to operate until people stop purchasing buying the puppies through pet stores and over the internet.

To locate your local animal shelter or rescue group, check the phone book or online for “animal shelter,” “animal control,” or “humane society.” Many shelters have websites that feature animals available for adoption. Some sites even allow you to download adoption forms and plan ahead by providing tips on responsible pet care. In addition, many shelters promote their animals for adoption on national websites such as pets911.com, Petfinder.com, and Adoptapet.com. For more information on adopting a pet, visit The Humane Society of the United States at Pet Adoption | The Humane Society of the United States. For more on puppy mills, visit Stop Puppy Mills.

Source: The Humane Society of the United States; The Humane Society of the United States.

[Lunareclipse]

Read this. His Name is Sam

[Lara's mom]

That was absolutely gut wrenching...

[Corky/Max]

Originally Posted by Lunareclipse

Read this. His Name is Sam

Would if I could---My computer won't let me see it! (security thing I guess!)---Get a little red x in upper left corner !

[Lunareclipse]

If you can't read it, just type "His name is Sam" in your search engine. Should bring up the story.

[Corky/Max]

Originally Posted by Lunareclipse

If you can't read it, just type "His name is Sam" in your search engine. Should bring up the story.

Found it--Have a big lump in my throat---That got me out of the silly mood I was in! Why didn't that student grab the dog and run/adopt?! I'd of not let that syringe get anywhere near that pup! And the woman giving it sounds like a real winner too. I could so easily hit anybody over the head with a baseball bat whenever I see a dog being harmed in any way. I just can't stand it!!! This world is horrible!

[Lunareclipse]

Sorry to ruin your mood. I just thought that the story went well with why you should adopt. If we hadn't have adopted, we wouldn't have Superdog Luna.

[Lunareclipse]

Maybe that story should be attached to every post of people asking if they should buy or adopt.



Might lead to a lot more dogs being named Sam too.

[Corky/Max]

Originally Posted by Lunareclipse

Maybe that story should be attached to every post of people asking if they should buy or adopt.



Might lead to a lot more dogs being named Sam too.

You know that can be easily done---pasting that story to the posts asking that question!

It prob. wasn't, but that could of been a made-up story to get people's attention! I wish I had a few million/billion dollars and most of it would go to battling for dogs.

[rhodesian]

Great List of reasons! All are very accurate.

What's sad about shelters is that of the 8 million animals that go into them about 3 million are euthanized. What makes this even more sad is that annually 17 million people are looking for pets.

I am working for a marketing company that is trying to change this number through a campaign with the Humane Society, Maddie's Fund and the Ad Council. The campaign is trying to change the image of the shelter pet so precarious situations like the one labeled above don't happen.

Check out the interactive website here. It has resources for finding local shelters as well as fun programs.

Animal shelters are great places to find new, loyal, friendly future members of your family.