How to Add a Pet to your Family
By Sophia Lauer, Hannah Mack, and Jessica Zheng
Each year, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized. Luckily, 3.2 million shelter animals are adopted each year according to the ASPCA. Thinking about adding a furry friend to your family? Here are 5 reasons to adopt and not shop for your new pet.
1.You Will Save an Animal’s Life
Many times, if the animals do not get adopted from the shelter, then shelters must euthanize them because of overcrowding issues and lack of space. When you adopt, you save a loving animal by making them part of your family and open shelter space for another animal who might desperately need it.
2. You Can Help Fight Against Puppy Mills
Puppy mills are a type of commercial dog breeding facility that care more about the profit than the health of the animal. Often, the pets you see at the pet store come from puppy mills and end up being very unhealthy because of the poor conditions the animals were raised in. Instead, you can get a healthy pet from the shelter and fight against puppy mills too.
3. You Will Get a Furry Friend for Your Home
Many animals are already house trained because they have been dropped off due to human problems like moving. The animals are very happy to be adopted and ready to become part of the family. Most shelters will welcome the animals back if the new owner finds that it is not working out when you bring your pet home, and they are more than ready to find a new loving home for the animal.
4. Way More Choices
Shelters often have a variety of different pets from different ages, genders, and breeds, so you are bound to find a pet you will love. Animals from a breeder can be very expensive, and many times the shelter covers the neutering/spaying, first round of shots, and deworming. They can also provide some pet supplies for you to take home with your furry friend.
5. A Sense of Fulfillment
When you choose to adopt a pet instead of shopping for one, you will get a sense of fulfillment from saving the animal’s life, and that animal will provide you with unconditional love and companionship. You can brag to all of your friends that you adopted your furry friend instead of picking one out at the pet store and hope they will do the same when choosing their next pet.
