1. Buying a pet can easily cost up to $1000 or more.

Depending on where you adopt your dog from, it can cost anywhere from $50-$200, but this means that all of their shots and other important needs are out of the way, with buying a dog it is very uncertain.

2. You’re getting more for your money if you get a mixed breed.

Mixed breeds just have more of a personality and they are more than likely to live longer. Many purebreds are more vulnerable to developing or even inheriting health problems from their bloodline.

3. When you adopt a pet, you are saving a life.

Many pets that are waiting to be adopted are also on a list to be euthanized, the older the dog the less time it has to live. As awful as it sounds, not all shelters are able to keep every animal because of time and resources that are available. Shelter animals are not damaged.

4. If you adopt, you get your choice of any age.

Even though puppies and kittens are cute, they are harder to take care of, your child may want that small animal, but you may want an older dog who is already potty trained so it is easier for you.

5. A pet purchased from a pet store is a complete unknown.

Pet stores, as you may know, have cute and cuddly pets that are fast asleep in their little boxes. These pet suppliers may not know where these innocent animals even came from, nor do they care most of the time. These animals can and most likely will have deadly diseases, that could potentially be harmful to your other pets and or yourself. Most pet stores do not have any documentation of the animals they carry and will lie and sell it to you for more than most.

6. You get just as much love (if not more).

Going to an animal shelter is very hard because there are so many animals that are willing and wanting to be loved, but some don't get the chance. They are just as loyal and intelligent, if not more than an animal you would buy at a pet store or from a breeder.

7. If you buy from a breeder you are literally contributing to the problem.

Would you really like to know that you have an animal that was from a place where there are no livable conditions, which means, no food or water, cramped spaces and when the mother dog dies, just gets thrown into the garbage? YOU are the problem and need help if you think that is even remotely okay.

Pet overpopulation is a problem and we need people to stop contributing to this madness and disgusting act.

8. Animals ease anxiety and depression.

Whether you believe depression and anxiety are real or not, you have to admit that having an animal around eases your stress and helps you to calm down in stressful situations.

9. They are a good excuse when you don't want to go out, without offending anyone.

“No, dude, I can’t stay out that late. The dog needs to be walked and is on a schedule.”

10. Just knowing that you saved your little fur baby from an uncertain faith, is enough to know that you are doing good in this world.

I feel that these animals in our lives make everything one hundred times better. You may have saved them, but they saved you too.