The benefits of adopting a pet

Did you know that when you adopt a pet, you spread goodness far beyond what you can see? When you adopt, not only are you welcoming a new companion, you’re doing so much more.  Read on to learn the benefits of adopting a pet.

• It’s more affordable. When you adopt from a shelter, you’re getting a pet that has been vet-checked, spayed or neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped. Buying a pet could cost thousands of dollars, while adoption fees average $200. (These fees vary by shelter and region).
• You’re helping other pets. When you adopt, you’re making room for another pet in the shelter and giving an opportunity to another pet to find a loving home.
• Training may be easier. Shelter pets aren’t always strays. Sometimes they’ve been surrendered from loving homes and may already be trained and used to living with children and other pets.
• You have ongoing support from the shelter. Often, before being adopted, shelter pets live in foster homes where people get to know them. These people can help ease the transition to your home and share knowledge about your pet.
• You are saving a life.
• You’re helping control pet over-population. Each year, many more animals are born than there are homes for. By adopting a shelter pet, bit by bit, we’re weakening the over-population cycle.
• You get a better selection. When you adopt, you’ll get to choose from a variety of pets… baby to senior, large to small.
• You’ll find a pet that’s well cared-for. Once a pet arrives at a shelter, it’s vaccinated, given health checks, is dewormed, etc. Shelters also check for any concerning behaviours and can give you a good overview of each of the pets likes and dislikes.
• You become part of the solution. One pet at a time, people who adopt are making a difference. And even if you’ve already adopted, other ways to support shelter efforts include fostering, volunteering or donating.