If you are thinking about adding a four-legged friend to your family, be sure to consider adoption from your local animal shelter.
Every year, around 200,000 dogs and cats are euthanised in Australian animal shelters, particularly because of issues with over-crowding. With thousands of pets surrendered every week, many animal shelters do not have the capacity or resources to keep them all for long periods of time.
Here are 5 reasons why you should consider adoption from an animal shelter over a breeder or pet shop:
You end up saving two lives
When you decide to adopt a pet from an animal shelter you are simultaneously saving two lives – the life of the animal you adopted and the space that your good deed opens up for another abandoned animal in desperate need of a good home.
Cost
In most cases, when you adopt a pet from the animal shelter they will already be microchipped, vaccinated, and de-sexed, saving you the expense of these procedures.
In addition, animals from shelters are significantly cheaper to buy compared to the price you might pay a breeder or a pet shop for a similar animal. At animal shelters, adoption fees help cover a small fraction of the cost involved in preparing these animals for their forever home.
A breeder may charge thousands of dollars for a pup, for example, but an animal shelter will only charge you a few hundred dollars, depending on the dog’s age.
Insights into your pet’s personality
Depending on the length of time that your pet has been at the shelter, the adoption officer will be able to give you some insights into your pet’s personality. This is beneficial because it allows you to ensure that this particular animal is the right fit for your family.
Reassurance that this is the right pet for you
Many animal shelters across Australia offer a 24-hour cooling off period following an adoption. This gives pet owners the opportunity to ensure that they have made the right decision and did not adopt on impulse. If you believe that you have made the wrong decision, many shelters will allow you to return the animal and will assist in helping you find the animal that is the right fit.
Love and gratitude
When you find the perfect addition to your family, you are adding a forever friend who will be eternally grateful that you have given them a second chance on life. The love and gratitude this animal will have for you will inevitably strengthen your bond.
For these reasons, it is best to consider animal shelters if you are looking for a forever friend. Your perfect pet could be waiting for you right now and you don’t even know it yet.
