Four years ago I decided to adopt a shelter dog from Mississippi, and she changed my life for the better. While many people support animal rescues and adoption, I’ve had people tell me they would never adopt a pet for multiple different reasons. Here are ten reasons to adopt your next best friend from a shelter.
1. A life is saved.
When you rescue an animal from a shelter, you are saving its life by giving it a new loving home. Plus, you open up a spot in the shelter for another pet in need to have its chance at getting adopted. Especially if it is a no kill shelter, the animals that move in are safe from the untimely euthanasia that they can face in other shelters.
2. It’s less expensive.
The adoption fees for shelter pets are usually in the low hundreds, with price fluctuation depending on size and age of the animal. Instead of the thousands that can be spent at a breeder, shelters provide a lower cost opportunity to get your next pet. Plus, animals in a shelter often have received all the age appropriate shots and medical care from the shelter, thus saving you even more money.
3. Mutts rule.
If you’re looking to adopt a dog, there is nothing better than adopting a mutt. By adopting a mutt you get multiple breeds in one, with each mutt looking unique as a result. One more benefit is that mutts are sometimes healthier than pure breeds because they have a mixture of genes from different breeds, not from only one breed.
4. Pure breeds also rule.
However, if mutts are not your style, there are plenty of pure breed dogs in rescues that need loving homes too. Pure breed dogs eliminate all the guesswork that comes with mutts when trying to figure out what they are. If you want to go into the adoption knowing a little of what to expect based on breed disposition, pure breed rescues are a safe bet.
5. It is good for your health.
Adopting a pet will benefit your health in multiple ways. By adopting a dog your activity levels are raised due to the fact that they need daily exercise. Plus, research has shown that petting a dog or cat can lower blood pressure, which in turn can help reduce heart issues. Pets also provide companionship that can combat anxiety, loneness and a host of other problems.
6. Companionship
When you adopt an animal from a shelter you get a best friend for years to come. These animals want to have someone to befriend and love, and you fill this role for them. A shelter pet will show you never ending companionship and will stay by you even in the roughest times. With a shelter pet you have a true friend by your side every day.
7. Unique personalities
There are endless possibilities when looking for a shelter pet, so there is no way your perfect match will not be found. By looking through shelters you can find the perfect pet that is as unique and special as you. Whether it’s the crazy look of a mutt, the hilarious antics of a pure breed, or anything in between. There is bound to be an animal in a shelter that is perfect for you.
8. Large range of choices
In a shelter there is a large range of choices to choose from when picking out your perfect pet. All age ranges, genders, activity levels and more are available to choose from at the shelter. So if a young puppy doesn’t suit your lifestyle, you can opt for an older dog with more training to easily settle into your life. However, if you want that crazy puppy experience, then there are plenty in the shelter for you to pick from.
9. Endless laughs
Shelter pets often have missed out on experiences that other pets have normally, such as going swimming or playing in snow. When you adopt a shelter pet you get to experience all these new events with your pet. Endless laughs will come from watching your pet gleefully experience new adventures and from discovering your pet’s weird antics. There is never a dull moment with a shelter pet around.
10. Unconditional love
Shelter pets are grateful for the second chance at life they were given, and they never fail to show this. A shelter pet will give you unconditional love forever, and will become your ultimate best friend. Shelter pets have a never-ending capacity to love, and know just how to make you smile when you feel sad. There is nothing like looking into your pet’s eyes and seeing the love they have for you staring back.
Shelter pets fill up your life with never ending joy and love, and open your eyes to a new, positive way to view the world. After four years with my dog I can honestly say that rescuing her was the best decision I ever made, and the positive impact she has had on my life knows no limit. So next time you are looking for a four-legged best friend, adopt, don’t shop, I promise you’ll find an amazing one.
