Every year, thousands of healthy, lovable animals are put to death in shelters across America because there are no homes for them. These are not only mixed breeds and adult animals, but also purebred puppies and kittens.
Sometimes, people dont want to spay or neuter their animals because they think it's better for the animals to have one litter or because they want their children to "see" the miracle of birth. Most people try to be responsible and find homes for their puppies or kittens after they allow this litter to be born and they feel that they have done their part. What these people don't realize is that each one of these animals who they have given or sold to someone has taken the place of a kitten or puppy at a shelter that might have found a home had they not allowed their dog or cat to breed.
Often times, people complain that shelters charge a fee for adopting the homeless animals. They will say it is "cheaper" to get a kitten or puppy from the newspaper or their neighbor down the road. In truth, a person is not saving money when they get a "free" pet. At a shelter, the animals come pre-examined by a vet, completely current on all it's shots and neutered/spayed or, in many cases, with a certificate that allows the adopter to get the animals neutered/spayed when it is old enough. The cost of veterinary care to take care of all these things for the "free" pet will be equal to, or surpass, the fees paid to a shelter.
There are Humane Societies and other adoption organizations located all over America. If someone is interested in adopting from a shelter, the best course of action is to look in the phonebook for the one nearest their home. Once there, the employees and volunteers at the shelter will assist the perspective adopter with finding the perfect pet that will meet their particular needs. A good deal of thought should be put into exactly what type of pet a person wants to adopt. Although puppies and kittens are undeniably adorable, adult animals are sometimes more suitable for a persons lifestyle. The happieness of both the adopter and the adoptee is the most important thing to be considered.
Personally, I have adopted several shelter babies in the course of my life, both feline and canine. Those animals have brought me years of joy and were just as good of pets as the purebred animals I have purchased. When you adopt from a shelter, you know that you have saved a life and you get, for such a small fee, a feeling of satisfaction and a friend forever. Some things are just priceless.
