Why Adopt From an Animal Shelter?

3/25/10

SAVE A LIFE!
Adopting a pet from an animal shelter has many rewards.  First and most importantly, you save the life of a pet.  In the United States, 8 to 10 million dogs and cats are brought to shelters every year—either found as strays or turned over by owners who no longer want them—and it is estimated that 4 to 6 million of them are euthanized because they are unable to find adoptive homes. 

Variety
Shelters are filled with a huge variety of pets—and one (or two) that are sure to fit the characteristics you are looking for!  Many shelters have purebreds, in addition to virtually "one-of- a-kinders".  Shelters are great in that they offer a variety of ages.  Puppies and kittens are not for everyone—the training, playing, feeding and exercising that a new puppy or kitten requires in the first several months can feel like a full time job!  Adult dogs and cats may be the best choice for a family who spends most of the day away from home or doesn't have the time required to train a puppy or kitten.  Also by adopting an adult pet, what you see is what you get—there will be no surprises about how big a pet might get.

Expense
Adopting a pet from a shelter is also generally less expensive than purchasing through a breeder.  It is important for a potential pet owner to remember that the biggest expense is not the purchase price of a pet, but the ongoing care a pet requires—food, grooming, toys, health care, etc.  Read my article about the cost of owning a pet.

Support
The goal of animal shelters is to place pets in lifelong homes and many offer post-adoptive counseling services.  Many offer dog training, behavior and obedience classes.  Medical services such as spay-neuter and vaccinations may also be offered at discounted rates to adoptive parents.  Shelters do everything possible to help an adoptive pet become a cherished member of their new family.     

 

Donna Spector, DVM, DACVIM, ,is a renowned, board-certified Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist who has practiced at the Animal Medical Center in New York City and other leading institutions. She is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Spector has written and lectured extensively on topics including nutrition, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, kidney failure and respiratory disease. She is widely recognized for her role as consulting veterinarian to HALO, Purely for Pets, her TV appearances with Ellen DeGeneres and her widely-quoted pet health advice in print and on radio.  She currently works in Chicago, performing independent internal medicine consultations for dogs and cats.