By Dr Rebecca MacMillan BVetMed BSAVA PGCertSAM MRCVS
Getting a new cat or dog is an exciting time. Many owners choose adoption, and for lots of good reasons. In fact, we have listed 10 of them right here!
Let’s look at all of the advantages that animal adoption could hold for you and your family.
Our top 10 advantages of adopting a cat or dog from a shelter
1. You could save a life.
This must be one of the biggest reasons why adopting your cat or dog rather than buying them is a good idea. By adopting, you are giving these animals a second chance of happiness. Shelters are at capacity and sadly millions of animals are euthanized each year in the US. Estimates suggest that 56% of dogs and 71% of cats admitted to animal shelters are euthanized. By providing a stable loving home, you could literally save an animal’s life.
2. Reducing pressure on shelters
Shelters are overstretched. Physical space to hold every lost, abandoned, or abused animal is not infinite, and neither are financial resources. Many shelters are charities, relying on public donations and support to operate. By adopting a pet, you will actively back that shelter and your actions may even encourage friends and family to follow suit as well.
3. You might find your perfect pet
Shelters want their animals to find the perfect ‘fur-ever’ home! It is in their interests to create a great match with a new potential owner. No one wants to see an animal return to the shelter after a failed adoption. A good shelter will want to meet with you first to discuss your family and home environment, as well as take note of your likes and dislikes. By adopting a pet through a shelter, you will already know what that animal’s personality, size, and exercise levels are like so there shouldn’t be any surprises there either.
4. You won’t be supporting puppy mills or backyard breeders
Purchasing a puppy or kitten is not without risk. Many rogue breeders out there have little interest in the health of their animals over their own financial gain. It can be easy to get sucked into a transaction, either because they can produce the puppy or kitten you desire without a waiting list or because they have lied about the realities of their setup. In some cases, owners even feel like they are doing their new pet a favor by ‘rescuing’ them, but all you have done is financially reward that breeder and enable them to continue operating.
5. You can skip the puppy or kitten phase
For some owners, this can be a big advantage! Puppies and kittens are cute, but they can be hard work. Toilet training, destruction of possessions and sleepless nights are an unattractive prospect for many new pet owners. Skipping straight to an adult animal, who also has a known temperament and adult size, can be a real bonus.
6. Built-in support
As we’ve said before, shelters want their adoptions to succeed. A good shelter will try to ensure this by carefully guiding you throughout the adoption process, as well as continuing to offer advice and support during your pet’s lifetime. It’s always good to know that you can pick up the phone and talk to someone if you need to.
7. Your pet will be health-checked
Shelter animals are all vet-checked to determine their health status on arrival. This can help to rule out current medical issues, giving you some peace of mind when you adopt your pet. For those animals with a diagnosed condition, the shelter will start the process of treating this and getting it under control. They will be able to discuss all of this with you, as well as how it might need to be managed going forward. This should reduce the risk of any nasty surprises at the start of your pet ownership.
8. Adoption is cheaper than buying
Adopting a pet is far cheaper than purchasing one from a breeder. While cost shouldn’t be the main driving factor here (after all you will still need to budget for a lifetime of food, care, and veterinary bills!), it’s still a pretty good advantage. After all, if you are not fussy about the breed, then why pay thousands for a new pet when you could have one for far less? Many shelters will also neuter, vaccinate, and microchip their animals which will also give you some extra cost savings when you are starting out.
9. Joining an exclusive community
Adoptive pet parents are a proud bunch! You may find a good community of fellow animal rescuers that you can join, either online or in person. This provides a good network to socialize with but also to lean on for support if needed. Plus, by adding to their numbers you will be further spreading the message about animal adoption, encouraging others to join your club too.
10. You gain a new furry family member
Ultimately, this is the main advantage of adopting… you will gain a new member of your family. Welcoming an animal into your home is extremely rewarding, especially if they have had a rough start in life. You will both reap the benefits of your newfound companionship and pretty soon you won’t be able to imagine your home without them!
Summary
Adoption has many advantages over buying when it comes to cat and dog ownership. Hopefully, our list has inspired you and given you a few things to consider. If you are interested in adoption then why reach out to your local rescue shelter? They will be able to guide you through the process and tell you what is involved. Who knows, you could be coming home with your ‘purr-fect’ new pet very soon!
