You could save more than one animal’s life by adopting a rescue
Read Time: 4 minutes
There are many benefits to adopting from a shelter. However, there are also some considerations to keep in mind should you decide to adopt a dog. While you can do a lot of good by rescuing an animal, adopting from a shelter isn’t for everyone. It’s important to do your research ahead of time and know exactly what you’re getting into.
The Pros of Adopting an Animal from a Shelter
Adopting from a shelter can save an animal’s life. In many cases, shelters are overcrowded and you not only save the pet you’ve adopted but also free up more space for new animals that are taken into the shelter. That’s not the only benefit, however.
You Save Money
While many animal shelters do have pet adoption fees, they’re typically considerably less than the costs of buying an animal from a breeder. You could pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars to a breeder. A shelter fee is typically around $60. There will still be other costs associated with owning a pet, such as vaccinations and vet visits, as well as food and toys, but you could save money on the initial adoption.
You Can Save an Animal’s Life
Many shelters are unfortunately overcrowded. The people who work at them do their best to try to find homes for every animal they encounter but often are forced to put down the oldest and sickest animals that aren’t getting adopted in order to free up space for healthier animals that have a better chance of finding a home. By adopting from a shelter, you’re not only saving your own pet’s life but also freeing up space that another animal can continue to live in.
You Can Learn More About Your New Pet
Shelter workers have spent time with all of the animals in their care. Therefore, they’ll know more about your new pet than just what the vet records show. They’ll know about your new family member’s behavior, their likes and dislikes, and more. Not only can they help to pair you with the right pet but also help you to get started on the right foot.
You’re Supporting Your Community
Many locations have problems with stray animals. By adopting from a shelter, you can free up space for stray animals to come in. This helps to remove strays from the streets and gives them the opportunity to find a loving home.
You May Find the Perfect Match
People often go to shelters with a certain type of animal in mind. Many think they want puppies, for example. Once at the shelter, however, they meet an adult dog or cat that they just fall in love with. A pet’s personality often matters far more than their age and at a shelter, you can meet a variety of different breeds, personalities, and age groups. You might find that what you really wanted wasn’t what you thought you did.
Cons of Adopting an Animal from a Shelter
While there are many benefits to adopting a dog or a cat from a shelter, doing so isn’t for everyone. Even if you do still ultimately decide to adopt a rescue, these are important things to consider before you do so.
There May Be Waiting Times
If you find a pet that you’d like to adopt, you may have to wait to do so if you’re adopting from a shelter, even if the animal is an adult dog or cat. Many shelters have waiting times so that prospective owners can be absolutely certain of the choice they’re making. Plus, they may also want to give time for pet owners to claim lost pets.
Some Rescue Animals Have Special Needs
Sometimes, animals were surrendered for a reason or had previous owners who didn’t treat them well. Some rescue animals therefore may have behavioral problems that some new pet owners may not be prepared to handle.
Rescue Animals May Not Be Well-Trained
Unless a pet had training before arriving at the shelter, it’s possible that they didn’t receive much while there. Shelter employees may want to provide training to their boarders, but because rescues and shelters are often severely underfunded, which means that staff may just not have the time and resources to properly train every pet they have.
The Rescue Organization May Reject You
In an effort to ensure that every animal they have goes to the best possible home, shelters and rescue organizations often have requirements that prospective adopters have to meet. If you don’t meet these requirements, which can be for experience, backyard access, and more, your application for adoption may be rejected.
There’s a Lot of Paperwork
Once you have been approved to adopt a pet from a shelter, there is a considerable amount of paperwork to fill out. You may also have to answer many personal questions in so doing.
Is It Worth It to Adopt from a Shelter?
In many cases, yes, it is worth it to adopt a rescue. Many pet owners have found adopting from a shelter to be incredibly rewarding. It’s all about what is best for you, your family, and your pet. Try visiting a shelter to see what it’s like and whether you bond with an animal. Another option is to volunteer with a rescue organization.
