If you’re thinking about adding a new pet into your family, have you considered visiting your local shelter or pet adoption agency? There are many reasons why these places should be considered before a pet “purchase” is made. Below are just a few reasons among many. Before you head out to the pet store at your mall, take a minute to think about adoption.

The most obvious reason someone would want to adopt a pet is the fact that a pet’s life is essentially saved through the adoption. Shelters and pet agencies try their best to keep the animals alive and put them in good homes, but sometimes the animals are euthanized; there are just too many homeless pets and not enough loving homes. By adopting a pet, you can ensure that the pet you choose is safe, while opening up a spot at the pet agency for another pet in need.

A second reason to adopt instead of “purchase” is cost. Most of the pets at the shelters have received all of their vaccinations, and they have been spayed or neutered. Although there is cost associated with adoption, it is minimal compared to what it would cost for you to obtain those veterinary services on your own. Plus, the amount you pay helps keep the shelter running, so other pets and families can benefit from the shelter’s programs.

Some people have the wrong ideas about pets in shelters; it’s common for someone to think that the pet was sent there because of bad behavior. In reality, many pets that end up in shelters were abandoned as a result of divorce, relocation, or inability of the owner to care for the pet. So, don’t think that shelters are full of misbehaving animals. Visit a shelter, and spend some time with the animals. You may find a pet that perfectly fits your personality.

Believe it or not, there is often a better selection of animals at a shelter than there is at a pet store. Pet stores are more limited on the number and variety of the pets they carry, while shelters take in pets of all ages and breeds. There are often tons of puppies to choose from, especially those that have been rescued. But, not everyone is looking for a puppy; and it’s easy to find a housebroken adult dog at a shelter. Many shelters offer web sites with pictures and information about all of their animals available for adoption. Visiting the web page can save you a lot of time, especially if you have a specific pet in mind.

If you’re thinking about bringing a pet into your home, check with your local shelter or pet rescue organization before you hit a pet store. There are a number of benefits to adoption, including lower cost and wider selection. Perhaps the greatest benefit of adoption is the fact that you are essentially saving an animal’s life, while clearing space in the agency for another pet in need.

Source by Caroline Sanchez