Consider Adopting Your Next Pet From An Animal Shelter

The other day as I was walking through the mall, I just happened to stop in the pet store where several others had done the same.  Behind the glass window were several adorable puppies of all breeds, some what I would consider pure breds (German Shepard's, Black Labs, etc) and others the newest in hybrid breeds...Cockapoo's, Alusky's, Be-Apso's and Goldendoodle's.  Under each cage was a card that listed its breeder and what state it had come from.  And then there is the price.  $500-1200 per dog.  Yet this store had its 2 meeting rooms full where families could play with and consider the purchase of such puppies.  I couldn't help but shake my head at the thought of purchasing my next pet at a mall where many of these animals, especially the dogs, come directly from over breeders and puppy mills from the south.

Every day shelters here in Connecticut receive several abandoned dogs or strays from the streets.  People will come by in the middle of the night and tie their unwanted pet to the fence of the shelters, thinking that this is the best for the dog.  Or they will come by and surrender their animal because they don't have the time, the money or the resources to care for it any longer.  Some dump them off because they have a new baby or are moving to another apartment and cannot take their pets with them.  Or even worse, they will take their dog for a ride, only to open the car door and leave their pet in an unfamiliar area to abandon them, leaving them to fend for themselves.  Many do not spay or neuter their pets which leads to pregnant cats and dogs to give birth in the shelters or even worse, in the wild.  This just disgusts me.

Approximately 8-12 million animals enter animal shelters across the US each year.  Sadly, 5-9 million of these animals are euthanized yearly.  Connecticut is not immune from these statistics.  Our local shelters are full of adoptable dogs and cats and are available for a fraction of the cost that you would pay at a puppy store.  Yet many people refuse to look into an animal from a shelter because they feel that they are "used goods" or "throw aways for a reason".  In all reality, most of these animals are young (4 months and up in most cases), healthy, and very lovable.  They are simply waiting for you to visit them and see for yourself.

I have always had rescued animals from shelters or pounds.  Actually, my 3 cats were a feral litter born under my mother in laws holly bush.  Our first dog, Kako, was a Rotty/Shepard mix 4 week old puppy from our local dog pound.  She was born in the shelter where her mom and dad were surrendered.  Our 2nd dog, Sierra, is a Pit/Shepard mix and came from a shelter at 8 weeks of age.  And our newest family member, Kobi, is a Black Lab/American Bulldog mix.  She came to us at 8 weeks old from a rescue group based out of Georgia one day before she was to be euthanized.

Here are some pros of adopting from a shelter:

#1.  YOU WILL SAVE A LIFE!  Some shelters can only keep an animal for 10 days before they have to be euthanized.  Very sad but true.  Become a HERO and adopt!

#2.  YOU WILL HAVE A SENSE OF FULFILLMENT!  It is very rewarding to adopt a pet from a shelter and watch them grow from the much needed love and attention you give it.

#3.  IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR BOTH YOU AND YOUR PET!  Owning a pet lifts your spirits and gets you moving.  This is great for your emotional, physical and even spiritual being!  And its great for your pet, too!

#4.  UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!  Animals can sense when they have been "saved" and will pay it forward in so many different ways.  Although you may need to spend a little extra time training, giving a little more effort and attention to a shelter animal, you will be rewarded with the end results...a loving, loyal and dedicated forever furry friend.

#5.  MANY ANIMALS ARE ALREADY HOUSEBROKEN!   About 75% of animals at shelters are surrendered by their owners for one reason or another, usually a change in their living situation or a death of an owner, so they've already been through the housebreaking stage and may even had some obedience training.  As long as you begin with positive reinforcement and continue with housebreaking and training, you and your pet will start off on a very happy note.

#6.  SHELTER ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS KNOW YOUR ANIMALS PERSONALITY!  The shelter's ACO's have the upper hand because they are with these animals on a daily basis so they get to know their personalities.  Is he hyper?  Is she shy?  Is he loud and boisterous?  Is she quiet and timid?  Do they get along with other animals or children?  The shelters have professional animal behaviorists come in to evaluate the animals so you can be sure to pick out the perfect pet for your house.

#7.  CONNECTICUT HAS A SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM - HELPS SAVE YOU MONEY!  I believe that all animals should be fixed if they are not a pure bred being responsibly used for breeding by a professional.  There are too many animals in shelters as it is...we shouldn't add to it!  Connecticut offers a voucher to people who adopt an animal from a shelter to have their pet spayed or neutered if not already done.

#8.  EVERY ANIMAL DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE!  It's not the animals fault for being in the shelter.  Many cases it is the fault of the previous owner.  No matter what age the animal is, whether its a puppy or a senior, they all deserve a second chance.

I hope that should the time ever come where you find yourself standing in front of a glass window looking at the puppies in a pet store, you will think about those animals sitting behind steel bars and sleeping on the cold slabs of concrete of an animal shelter and consider adopting one of them before you consider purchasing a pet store animal.  Trust me, you will never feel better as you save the life of an animal and say, "Come on, let's go home".