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Find out the many great advantages of adopting your next animal companion below!
It is estimated that every year approximately 6.5 million animals enter animal shelters in the U.S. to find a home.1 Many never do. Over-population is a significant problem that is prevalent nation-wide. Simply put, the supply of animals bred on the market are much higher than the demand to allow for all of them to find permanent and loving homes. According to AnimalShelter.org, a single female dog and her offspring can produce over 67,000 dogs in just six years.2 With many people purchasing animals, the demand pressures puppy mill owners to breed puppies for mere profits. Because of the many puppy mills that exist, millions of dogs live in horrible conditions and they are used to breed for mere profit without care for any them. These 67,000 puppies become millions and the streets are over-run. Further contributing to stray overpopulation is that many families surrender their pets. Animal shelters become packed and lack the resources to preserve these animals and give them all a second chance to find a loving home. Approximately 1.5 million animals are euthanized every year due to this over-crowding. Although it is estimated that about 3.2 million shelter animals are adopted every year, more can be done to reduce the euthanasia count even more. More people need to adopt and stop shopping. What better time is there to adopt than Adopt-A-Dog-Month (October)? Ever since 1981, American Humane has celebrated Adopt-A-Dog-Month each October to help find homes for shelter animals.3 There are so many benefits to adopting an animal companion from a shelter.
There are many advantages one can gain from adopting a pet as opposed to purchasing one.4 If you adopt, you are saving a life!! Unfortunately, many animals wait years in shelters only to be euthanized as no one wants to take them. Many of shelter dogs were either lost, given up, or abandoned. In fact, a study performed by the National Council on Pet Population indicated that the main reason people surrender their companion animals are due to behavioural problems and an alleged incompatibility with family lifestyle. By adopting your next pet, not only are you contributing to the prevention of overpopulation, you are effectively saving a precious life!
By adopting, you also help stop the cruelty of puppy mills and other unethical breeding facilities which are often operated by people who care not for the animals they reproduce; rather they are invested in the profits they acquire from them. At these types of breeding facilities, the animals are kept in cages for their entire “useful” lives. As soon as the animals are incapable of reproducing, they are often destroyed. Adopting instead of supporting puppy mills can help combat this problem. Not only can you save a life, battle inhumane breeding facilities, and reduce over population, there are additional advantages of adopting your next dog. Often, the animals you find at shelters in need of a home are adults! Many of them are already house-trained and know some basic, commands. Also, you will not have to deal with the struggles of puppyhood and the “teenage” doggie phase when dogs can be more active. Finally, by adopting a dog, you will get to know his/her personality before you bring them home!
By adopting, you are encouraging others to do the same, saving a life, and helping reduce shelter euthanasia. Humane Societies, rescues, animal organizations have been fighting this battle for years – but your help is needed. Only about 710,000 animals entering animal shelters are returned to their owners.1 This battle is far from over! October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month! Are you ready to adopt? Please contact your local shelter, rescue, or humane society to find the breed, size, age, and personality of a dog that matches your lifestyle! Save a life! Adopt, don’t shop!
[1] “Pet Statistics.” ASPCA, www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intake-and-surrender/pet-statistics.
[2] Hartz. “October Is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.” Hartz, 27 Oct. 2017, www.hartz.com/en-ca/october-is-adopt-a-shelter-dog-month/.
[3] American Humane. “Adopt-A-Dog Month®.” American Humane, www.americanhumane.org/initiative/adopt-a-dog-month/.
[4] “Top 10 Reasons to Adopt from an Animal Shelter.” Helping Hands Humane Society, www.hhhstopeka.org/adopt/top-10-reasons-to-adopt-from-an-animal-shelter/.