Now that those hectic holidays are over and we’re already in the new year, there’s no better time than now to adopt a new best friend. Adopting a dog or a cat is a wonderful way to fill your home, your year, and your life with joy. But with all of the breeders and pet stores out there, why is adoption the best answer when it comes to picking a pet? We have five reasons why a shelter pet could be the perfect option for you and the pet of your choice.

You’re Saving a Life

Each year, 2.7 million dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States because of overcrowding in shelters. If more people chose to adopt pets rather than purchasing them from breeders or pet stores, this shockingly high number could quickly diminish. When you adopt a dog or a cat, you are saving the life of a furry friend and making necessary room for abandoned dogs & cats in need of shelter space.

You’ll Get Quality and Care

Contrary to popular belief, animal shelters are full of perfectly healthy pets-to-be. Most adoptable dogs and cats end up in shelters simply because their previous owners can no longer care for them due to events such as moving, not because there are problems with the pets. Also, when you adopt a pet from a shelter, the cost of spaying or neutering as well as their first vaccinations are included in the adoption price.

You’ll Help End Puppy & Kitten Mills

Puppy & kitten mills are factory-style facilities that breed animals in inhumane conditions and lack the proper medical and nutritional care. Most of the puppies & kittens purchased in pet stores come from these mills, and because of the high profit they receive, the only way to bring an end to the mills is to stop supporting them. Adopting puppies & kittens from shelters is a sure method of restricting the growth of these mills.

Creating a place in your heart and your home for a shelter pup will give you a newfound sense of purpose

Adopted Dogs & Cats Benefit Your Health

We all know that the unconditional love from an animal friend is one of the greatest treasures in the world, but did you know that it can improve your psychological and physical health? Creating a place in your heart and your home for a shelter pup or kitten will give you a newfound sense of purpose that can prevent feelings of loneliness, which boosts both your spirit and energy levels.

It’s Easy and Local

With organizations like the Animal Coalition of Tampa, animal adoption is an easy and fun process that brings you the dog or cat of your dreams. Their website offers detailed tips about how to choose the right pet for you and your family, and you can download an adoption application at home to bring with you to the shelter. To learn more about the Animal Coalition of Tampa, visit
www.ACTampa.org, or stop in at their Tampa shelter, located at 1719 W Lemon St, Tampa, FL.

Now that you know all the benefits of adopting a furry friend, what are you waiting for? There’s a friendly face in a shelter longing for a forever family, and you could be the perfect match. You’ll change a pet’s life, and your life will surely never be the same.