Adopting an animal can be a great option for pet lovers. The advantages of adopting are numerous; Costs are lower than buying a pet Animal shelters offer a wide variety of companion animals Most mixed-breed animals do not inherit breed-specific health problems Older animals in shelters have already developed personalities and therefore it is easier to find a pet that matches your lifestyle, older pets will be spayed or neutered and vaccinated, you can receive discounts for spay or neuter programs if you adopt a young pet, you can adopt a couple of bonded animals or littermates at a reduced cost, and shelter workers are genuinely concerned that you find the right pet for your lifestyle.
The cost of animals and the types of animals up for adoption vary by area. In my area, a puppy is $150 to adopt and an adult cat is only $60. When you compare the cost of buying a pet to adopting an animal, it is much cheaper to adopt. For example, the typical cost to purchase a puppy is $300 to $600, plus first year vaccinations of $150 to $300 and possibly some health tests not provided by the breeder that can add another $50 to $200. Most of the time, when you adopt a puppy from the shelter, the adoption fee ensures that the puppy has already been treated for fleas, passed a health exam, received vaccinations (if the animal is old enough), and is You have been tested for parvovirus. Some shelters in the South also test dogs for heartworm.
In dogs, distemper, parvoinfluenza, and heartworm are terminal illnesses if left untreated. Adult cats adopted from the shelter are spayed or neutered, vaccinated against distemper, tested for feline AIDS (FIV) and feline leukemia (FELV) (which can be terminal illnesses), and treated for fleas. When you compare this to the cost of buying a cat ($150-$1000) or taking a “free kitten”, animal adoption again proves to be much cheaper. Typical costs for IVF and FELV testing are $45-$75 per test, spay at maturity is $45-$90, or neuter is $30-$75, and first year vaccinations are $150-$300 . So your “free kitty” can cost upwards of $500 for the first year of medical care. Additionally, many shelters also test for other diseases, such as worms, and the shelter will be open and honest about known disabilities, such as hearing or vision problems.
Shelter employees and volunteers do a great job of helping you choose an animal that is right for your lifestyle. There is usually a wide variety of adoptable pets available. Most shelters have crossbred dogs and puppies ranging from small to large, short-haired to fluffy, and personalities ranging from shy lapdogs to energetic running companions. The selection of cats can range from large Maine-coon mixes to high-energy Siamese mixes and fluffy Angoras. My local shelter also provides adoption services for other companion animals, such as ferrets, pot-bellied pigs, and goats. From time to time, shelters have purebred animals available for adoption. (Also, see my article on pure adoptions).
There are other benefits to adopting an animal from a shelter. Mixed breed animals can be healthier and calmer than some purebred animals. Certain Thoroughbreds often have genetic disorders (due to inbreeding). For example, many large purebred dogs develop hip dysplasia (a malformation of the hip joint that causes arthritis). Small purebred dogs with flat noses can develop respiratory disorders. Disorders associated with specific breeds can be found in mixed-breed dogs and cats, but are much less likely to occur. The older pets available for adoption at the shelter have developed personalities, and therefore it is easier to adopt an animal that is right for your home. For example, if you have children, the shelter worker will introduce you to the pets that are best suited to your home. If you are single and want a running partner, the shelter worker can introduce you to a healthy, high-energy companion dog. You may think you want a dog, but after talking to a shelter worker, you’ll realize that his lifestyle is much better suited to an adult cat. Some shelters provide ongoing benefits, such as reduced vaccination costs, reduced training costs, or provide a list of ancillary services.
If you want to select from a wide variety of pets, the best time of year is during the spring and early fall, which are the breeding seasons. Shelters are inundated with stray dogs. Christmas is a bad time of year to adopt an animal for several reasons; Many people adopt at this time of year, so the selection will be limited, it will be hard on the animal (due to the lack of routines and chaos that often accompanies the holidays), and it may curtail your travel plans. (See my article on adopting animals at Christmas).
To find an adoption center in your area, contact the Humane Association of the United States, check with a local veterinarian, or ask a local pet supply store. Each year, the United States destroys more than 4,000,000 companion animals. By adopting an animal from a shelter you are saving a life. However, consider the long-term care required before purchasing or adopting a pet.
