Cool Facts About Pet Adoption

You can save a dog's life by adopting from a shelter or rescue organization.

When looking to add a furry friend to your family, you have two basic options: adopting from an animal shelter or purchasing from a breeder. However, there are several benefits of animal adoption that could influence your decision.

1. Saving a Life

   • According to AdoptaPet.com, about 4 million adoptable cats and dogs are put down each year, mainly because of overpopulation. By adopting from a shelter, you could save the life of one of these unfortunate animals.

   Breeds in Shelters

   • Many people choose to buy from a breeder because they are looking for a specific breed of dog. However, 25 percent to 30 percent of dogs available for adoption in animal shelters are purebred.

   Breed Rescues

   • Prospective pet owners don't have to purchase their ideal breed of dog from a breeder; there are rescue organizations that help dogs of a specific breed who have been given up, neglected or abused.

   Behavior Myths

   • Some people do not consider adopting from a pet shelter because they assume that animals end up there because of poor behavior. However, there are a number of reasons why pets arrive in a shelter, from losing their owner to being abused and rescued.

   Cost Savers

   • Many shelter animals are fully vaccinated and spayed or neutered, which results in healthier pets and savings for the people who adopt them.