| Adopting an animal can be an excellent choice for pet | | | | short-haired to fluffy, and personalities that range |
| lovers. The advantages of adopting are numerous; | | | | from shy lap dogs to high energy running companions. |
| costs are lower than buying a pet, animal shelters | | | | Cats selection can ran from large Maine-coon mixes, |
| offer a large variety of companion animals, most | | | | to high energy Siamese mixes, to fluffy mellow |
| mixed breed animals do not inherit breed specific | | | | Angoras. My local shelter also services other |
| health issues, older animals in shelters already have | | | | companion animal adoption such as ferrets, pot belly |
| developed personalities and therefore it's easier to | | | | pigs and goats. Occasionally, shelters have purebred |
| find a pet that will match with your lifestyle, older | | | | animals available for adoption. (Also, see my article on |
| pets will be spayed or neutered and vaccinated, you | | | | purebred adoptions). |
| may receive discounts for spay or neuter programs if | | | | There are other benefits of adopting an animal from |
| you adopt a young pet, you can adopt a bonded | | | | a shelter. Mixed bred animal may be healthier and |
| animal pair or litter mates at reduced cost, and | | | | calmer than some purebred animals. Certain purebred |
| shelter workers are genuinely concerned that you | | | | often have genetic disorders (due to the inbreeding). |
| find the right pet for your lifestyle. | | | | For example, many large purebred dogs develop hip |
| Cost of animals and types of animals up for adoption | | | | dysplasia (a malformation of the hip joint that causes |
| vary by areas. In my area a puppy adoption is $150 | | | | arthritis). Small purebred dogs with pug noses may |
| and an adult cat is only $60. When you compare the | | | | develop respiratory disorders. Disorders associated |
| cost of buying a pet, to adopting an animal, it's much | | | | with specific breeds can be found in mixed breed |
| cheaper to adopt. For example typical cost to | | | | dogs and cats, but are far less likely to occur. Older |
| purchase a puppy are $300-$600, plus first year | | | | pets available for adoption from the shelter have |
| vaccinations $150-$300 and possibly some health | | | | developed personalities and therefore it is easier to |
| tests not provided by the breeder which can add | | | | adopt an animal that will be right for your household. |
| another $50-$200. Most often when you adopt a | | | | For example, if you have children, the shelter worker |
| puppy from the shelter the adoption fee insures the | | | | will introduce you to the pets that are the best |
| puppy has already been treated for fleas, passed a | | | | suited to your household. If you're single and want a |
| health examination, received vaccinations (if the | | | | jogging partner, the shelter worker can introduce you |
| animal is old enough), and has been tested for | | | | to a healthy high energy dog companion. You may |
| parvovirus. Some shelters in the south also test dogs | | | | think you want a dog, but after speaking with a |
| for heart worm. | | | | shelter worker, realize your lifestyle is far more |
| In dogs, distemper, parvo-influenza, and heart worm | | | | suited to an adult cat. Some shelters provide ongoing |
| are terminal illnesses, if they are untreated. Adult cats | | | | benefits, such as reduced vaccination cost, reduced |
| adopted from the shelter are spayed or neutered, | | | | training costs or provide a list of auxiliary services. |
| vaccinated for distemper, tested for Feline Aids(FIV) | | | | If you want to select from a wide variety of pets, |
| and Feline Leukemia (FELV) (which can both be | | | | the best time of year is during spring and early fall |
| terminal illnesses), and are treated for fleas. When | | | | which are breeding seasons. Shelters are inundated |
| you compare this with the cost of purchasing a cat | | | | with strays. Christmas is a bad time of year to adopt |
| ($150-$1000) or taking on a "free kitten", animal | | | | an animal for several reasons; many people adopt at |
| adoption again proves to be much cheaper. Typical | | | | this time of year so selection will be limited, it hard on |
| costs for FIV and FELV testing are $45-$75 for each | | | | the animal (due to lack of routines and chaos that |
| test, spaying at maturity $45-90, or neutering | | | | often accompanies the holiday) and, it's may curtail |
| $30-$75, and first year vaccinations $150-$300. So | | | | your travel plans. (See my article on Christmas animal |
| your "free kitten" can cost more than $500 for the | | | | adoption). |
| first year of medical care. Additionally, many shelters | | | | To find an adoption center in your area contact the |
| also test for other diseases such as worms, and the | | | | Humane Association of the United States, check with |
| shelter will be open and honest about known | | | | a local veterinarian, or inquire at a locally owned pet |
| disabilities such as hearing or vision impairments. | | | | supply stores. Each year the United States destroys |
| Shelter employees and volunteers do a great job of | | | | more than 4,000,000 companion animals. By adopting |
| helping you pick an animal that is right for your | | | | an animal from a shelter you are saving a life. |
| lifestyle. Typically, there are wide varieties of | | | | However, please consider the long term care |
| adoptable pets available. Most shelters have dogs and | | | | required, before you purchase or adopt a pet. |
| cross-breed puppies ranging from tiny to large, | | | | |