Millions of households in the US and the world have a pet or two. The numbers are staggering. In the US alone, the number of pets in 2022 reached 338,289,875. Furthermore, the trend towards owning pets is expected to grow in the coming years.
This is because pets provide the perfect companionship and support. Dogs, in particular, are loyal and loving, qualities necessary in a companion when so many people love on their own and experience loneliness.
On the flip side, however, there is also a rising trend in sending pets to animal shelters. The statistics indicate that while pet ownership is on the rise, so is the rate at which pets are being abandoned. Abandoned pets find their way to local animal shelters.
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Why So Many Pets Are Ending Up in Animal Shelters?
It is estimated that each year 7.6 million animals all over the US end up in animal shelters. Out of these, 2.7 million of these animals are killed every year because animal shelters do not have the capacity.
While strays make up most of the animals in these shelters, many are also abandoned pets. Research indicates that 25% of all dogs in animal shelters are purebred.
Sadly, only one out of ten dogs in the shelter will be adopted and find a home. The rest live in animal shelters forever.
Many animals in shelters are strays. Instead of letting them roam on the street, it is better to have them in a protected environment.
Yet, there are those dogs and cats that were once pets. Here are a few reasons why no people abandon pets:
- Unable to care for or maintain a pet due to health or financial reasons
- There is a newborn in the house
- The pet owners are moving and the landlord does not allow pets
- There are too many pets to care for
- No time to care for the pet
- The pet is sick
- The pet has exhibited aggressive behavior, particularly biting in the case of dogs
Top 5 Reasons To Adopt From An Animal Shelter
Despite the dismal statistics, there is something you can do. You can and should adopt a pet from an animal shelter. Here are the top five reasons why you should do so:
Giving An Animal A Loving Home
While animal shelters are safe places for animals to live in. This is especially true because the alternative is living on the street. The issue is that animal shelters are far from perfect. Most animal shelters are understaffed and overcrowded.
Also, animal shelters are not meant to function as permanent homes for pets. They are, ideally, temporary facilities where animals can live safely and get their necessities met before they are adopted. It is a holding place for cats and dogs before they can find a forever home.
Life in animal shelters is not meant to maximize the animals’ well-being. They may be getting food, drink and other basic needs met; however, for most animals, this is not enough.
Animals need attention, care, and love. Adopting an animal from a shelter will mean welcoming a pet without care and affection. You will be making an animal extremely happy.
Welcoming A Loving Pet Into Your Home
As mentioned already, many animals in shelters are abandoned pets. They are not aggressive or ill-behaved animals by any means. Sometimes pet owners have to give up pets due to circumstances out of control.
You may find a dog or a cat that has already lived in a nice home. Chances you will find a house-trained pet starved for love and attention are quite high.
It is not just you who will give an animal a better life; welcoming a dog from a shelter may be the best decision you make. These animals may be much more obedient, loyal, and loving because they want to stay in a good home.
Setting An Example
The number of animals in shelter homes is reaching unsustainable levels. Millions of animals are killed every year to keep things manageable.
Still, many people are hesitant to adopt from animal shelters. There is, unfortunately, a misconception that all animals in these places are dysfunctional in one way or another.
Adopting a pet from an animal shelter sets an example and encourages others to do the same. Your adoption may prompt others to do the same and help forsaken animals.
You May Be Saving A Life
Unfortunately, many animals end up dead in animal shelters. It is considered mercy killing since animal shelters can care for only so many animals at a time.
It is a hard truth to digest since some animals in these shelters should not be there in the first place. Adopting a dog or cat or any other animal from an animal shelter will take the burden off the shelter.
Doing this will help improve the quality of service and living conditions within shelters. It will also reduce the number of animals subjected to mercy killing.
Another way you can save an animal’s life is by adopting a pet that has a life-threatening but curable disease. You can take the let home and provide it with the lifesaving treatment it needs to survive.
Discourage the Breeding Of More Animals
Mass breeding is a major issue. As long as there is demand for purebreds and designer breeds, there will be breeders.
The problem is that to meet this demand, the supply of animals is increased artificially. This reduces the chances of existing animals getting a loving home.
By boycotting such practices by adopting exclusively from animal shelters, you can help resolve this problem. This will also reduce the number of abandoned pets in shelters.
Finding Your Pet At An Animal Shelter
As animal lovers, all of us must recognize that animal shelters are not suitable places for long-term living. The purpose of a shelter home is to provide a temporary home to abandoned pets and strays.
Animal Shelters are great since they prevent animals from becoming homeless. But these are not permanent living solutions. Check out We Love Doodles for more information.
Pets belong in the home. They need a loving family. Every animal deserves to be treated well. Animals that are beyond help are quite rare. Most animals can be re-homed and do well in social settings.
Adopting a pet from an animal shelter does not just give animals a nice home; it is also beneficial for pet owners. A pet from a shelter may cost less and the adoption is likely to be less of a hassle.
There are too many reasons you should adopt a pet from an animal shelter. Next time you think about getting a new pet, consider visiting your local animal shelter.
