October Is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month!

October Is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month so if you are thinking about getting a pet, please make adoption your first option.   There are thousands of pets waiting for a forever home. When you adopt a pet from a shelter you are saving a life.

According to the Northshore Animal League 4,000,000-5,000,000 animals are destroyed each year in the U.S. That’s a shocking and little-known statistic. As the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, they continuously take animals out of harm’s way—whether it’s rescuing them from other shelters where they would be destroyed; pulling them out of national emergency areas, saving them from the perils of puppy mills and so many other places where they would be abused or euthanized. (animalleague.org)

It costs less to adopt a pet from a shelter than purchasing one from a breeder. Costs can vary depending on where you live and whether you’re interested in adopting a cat or a dog. Cost can run anywhere from $50.00 to $300.00. Compare that to the $1,000+ you may have to pay if purchasing from a breeder.

When you adopt, you’re giving another animal an opportunity to be adopted and find a new family. You’re also reducing the demand that keeps puppy and kitten mills in business. For that reason you should say no to pet stores.

When you purchase a pup from a pet store you are unknowingly supporting puppy mills. A puppy mill is a massive breeding operation where hundreds of dogs are kept in overcrowded and often unsanitary conditions without proper veterinary care, food, water or human interaction. Puppies born in puppy mills are often seriously sick, poorly socialized and have hereditary and congenital defects from being bred carelessly. (redrover.org).

Adopting is the most selfless act of love one can do, and it also has its perks. Many of the older animals are house trained and are able to walk on a leash. There may be little training involved, whereas raising a puppy can be very time-consuming. When adopting you also have many different types of breeds that may be readily available.

Remember, many of these poor animals have been given up due to circumstances beyond their control. Many of them find their way to the shelter due to a pet parents death, divorce, health issues for the owner, etc…….don’t assume that the dog is there due to bad behavior.

Because October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, the ASPCA is shining their spotlight on large size dogs with their Big Love campaign.  As part of their Big Love campaign, the ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City is offering a very special promotion that will allow you take home a large dog for a very small cost. “For the entire month of October, all dogs over 30 pounds will have their weight subtracted from their adoption fee. Plus, every ASPCA pet is spayed or neutered, up-to-date on vaccines and microchipped. All dog adopters will go home with a free collar, leash and ID tag, and a voucher for a free visit to the ASPCA Animal Hospital.” They are also running a contest, please be sure to check their website out at ASPCA.

So, if you’re considering adding a new furry member to your family, please consider adopting. “You can’t buy love, but you can certainly rescue it.”