Why Adopt?
- You’ll save two lives.
The Humane Society of the United States conservatively estimates that 4 million pets lose their lives in this nation’s shelter for simple want of a home. With more people surrendering pets than adopting, shelter staff are forced to make difficult decisions and euthanize pets to make space for incoming animals.
Adopting rather than shopping for your next pet will help to reduce the number of animals euthanized. Adopting a pet actually saves TWO LIVES as you free up space for another animal in need to find lasting love through the wonder of adoption.
- It is a FUN experience and you’ll feel good opening your heart and home to a shelter pet.
WARNING! Logging on to www.petfinder.com can be addicting! View pet photos, watch videos of them and read thorough biographies that tell of their personality traits, obedience skills and the what type of family that cuddly cat or dynamite dog is looking for.
Pets offer unconditional love and their unwavering companionship has been proven to be beneficial physically and emotionally. You’ll have the WARM FUZZIES!
- You’ll get a pet who is spayed or neutered, vaccinated and healthy.
As opposed to purchasing or getting a “free to a good home” pet, you’ll welcome a fully-vetted companion animal in to your life.
Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of shelter pets are homeless through no fault of their own. Divorce, financial constraints, time limitations and NOT the animal’s health &/or behavior are the most common reasons an animal is left homeless.
- You’ll save money.
Many pets in the shelter system are already spayed or neutered and if not, shelters often receive a discount from their participating veterinarian and passes the savings on to the adoptive family. Also, adoption fees are much less expensive than buying from a breeder or pet store.
- You won’t be supporting puppy mills and pet stores.
For every pet purchased, a shelter pet loses out on a home. People never think to ask themselves where that puppy in the window comes from. More often than not, puppies come from puppy mills- mass dog breeding facilities where the animals are housed in inhumane, filthy and deplorable conditions. Many never see the light of day, receive human attention, exercise, veterinary care and are repeatedly bred for profit.
Responsible breeders will let you visit their home/kennel and allow you to meet the breeding pair. Commercial breeders sell to pet stores and advertise online and in newspapers. Puppy mill animals often have behavioral and health issues. “Retired” breeders are often abandoned, sold at auction or inhumanely euthanized.
ADOPT, DON’T SHOP. If people continue buying from pet stores and mills, there will always be a market for the animals raised in these horrid conditions. Please don’t be part of the problem by ADOPTING, not shopping for your next furry family member.
If you have questions regarding a particular pet, please drop an email to emmetcountyanimalshelter@live.com and we'll be happy to answer your questions.
