| If you're thinking about adding a new pet into your | | | | pet was sent there because of bad behavior. In |
| family, have you considered visiting your local shelter | | | | reality, many pets that end up in shelters were |
| or pet adoption agency? There are many reasons | | | | abandoned as a result of divorce, relocation, or |
| why these places should be considered before a pet | | | | inability of the owner to care for the pet. So, don't |
| "purchase" is made. Below are just a few reasons | | | | think that shelters are full of misbehaving animals. |
| among many. Before you head out to the pet store | | | | Visit a shelter, and spend some time with the animals. |
| at your mall, take a minute to think about adoption. | | | | You may find a pet that perfectly fits your |
| The most obvious reason someone would want to | | | | personality. |
| adopt a pet is the fact that a pet's life is essentially | | | | Believe it or not, there is often a better selection of |
| saved through the adoption. Shelters and pet | | | | animals at a shelter than there is at a pet store. Pet |
| agencies try their best to keep the animals alive and | | | | stores are more limited on the number and variety of |
| put them in good homes, but sometimes the animals | | | | the pets they carry, while shelters take in pets of all |
| are euthanized; there are just too many homeless | | | | ages and breeds. There are often tons of puppies to |
| pets and not enough loving homes. By adopting a | | | | choose from, especially those that have been |
| pet, you can ensure that the pet you choose is safe, | | | | rescued. But, not everyone is looking for a puppy; |
| while opening up a spot at the pet agency for | | | | and it's easy to find a housebroken adult dog at a |
| another pet in need. | | | | shelter. Many shelters offer web sites with pictures |
| A second reason to adopt instead of "purchase" is | | | | and information about all of their animals available for |
| cost. Most of the pets at the shelters have received | | | | adoption. Visiting the web page can save you a lot of |
| all of their vaccinations, and they have been spayed | | | | time, especially if you have a specific pet in mind. |
| or neutered. Although there is cost associated with | | | | If you're thinking about bringing a pet into your |
| adoption, it is minimal compared to what it would | | | | home, check with your local shelter or pet rescue |
| cost for you to obtain those veterinary services on | | | | organization before you hit a pet store. There are a |
| your own. Plus, the amount you pay helps keep the | | | | number of benefits to adoption, including lower cost |
| shelter running, so other pets and families can benefit | | | | and wider selection. Perhaps the greatest benefit of |
| from the shelter's programs. | | | | adoption is the fact that you are essentially saving an |
| Some people have the wrong ideas about pets in | | | | animal's life, while clearing space in the agency for |
| shelters; it's common for someone to think that the | | | | another pet in need. |