The pet overpopulation crisis is real, and shelters are bursting at the seams. Every year, millions of animals end up in shelters for various reasons. Adopting a pet means giving one of these animals (and you!) a chance at a life filled with love, comfort, companionship and happiness.
In this post, we’ll discuss the many benefits of adopting a pet from a shelter. We’ll also talk about the cost and how to find a pet to adopt near you. I’ll also be giving you tons of help on exactly how to adopt a pet, how to prepare for your new pet, how to care for them, what you’ll need, and how to do proper training. Let’s go!
Why Should You Adopt a Pet from a Shelter?
Why Should You Adopt a Pet from a Shelter?When you adopt from a shelter, you’re not just taking home a pet; you’re literally giving them a new lease on life. Many of these animals are in shelters through no fault of their own.
Some are lost, others given up because of their owner’s changing circumstances. Each adoption story is as unique as the animals themselves.
You can read my personal story about adopting my Miniature Doxy, Taz from a shelter and what her circumstances were in my post, Where to Find a Pet to Adopt Near You, or watch my video:
watch my video: Where to Adopt a Pet:
Adopting a Pet from a Shelter is Rewarding!
Adopting a Pet from a Shelter is Rewarding!There’s an emotional reward in knowing that you’ve made a difference. Saving an animal feels incredible. It’s charity with a heart and soul. Adopters often talk about how their new pets quickly become indispensable companions, turning houses into homes.
Adoption is different from buying. Shelters focus on what’s best for the animals, not profit. They work tirelessly to match you with the right pet, considering your lifestyle and their personalities, needs, and histories. It’s all about creating bonds that last a lifetime.
The Real Cost of Pet Adoption
Adopting a pet from a shelter is surprisingly cost-effective. Unlike purchasing from a breeder or pet store, you avoid steep mark-ups.
Most shelters include initial costs like vaccinations, microchipping, and spaying or neutering in their adoption fees, leaving your wallet happier and your pet healthier.
For more details about the pet adoption process, read my posts:
How to Adopt a Cat (includes video!)
Adopting Rescue Dogs (includes video!)
What are the Benefits of Adopting Senior Pets?
There are also major ethical benefits to adopting a pet. When you choose adoption, you’re saying yes to animal welfare and supporting a system that fights overpopulation and neglect.
Shelters often rely on volunteers and donations to operate, so each adoption is a vote for a more compassionate world. Click below to request a printable list of things animal shelters need – you’ll be surprised!
By adopting, you’re not just saving money; you’re supporting a cause that prioritizes the wellbeing of animals over profits. This choice helps control pet populations responsibly and humanely, reducing the burden on shelters that give animals a second chance.
Shelters include microchipping and spaying/neutering in their fees because it’s key to responsible pet ownership. These practices help reduce the number of stray animals and ensure your new friend stays safe and healthy.
Ultimately, pet adoption doesn’t just fill your life with joy — it fills it with responsibility and purpose.
Emotional and Health Benefits of Adopting Pets
Owning a pet has a magical way of melting stress and boosting happiness levels. Studies consistently show that pet ownership is linked to reduced stress, lower blood pressure, and improved mental health.
Animals have this incredible ability to provide comfort and joy, often when it’s needed most. For more about this, read my post, Do Pets Improve Your Health? (includes video).
The bond with a rescued pet is unique. These animals can sense they’ve been given a second chance, making them fiercely loyal companions. The relationship you build with them is one of mutual appreciation and trust.
I personally feel pets who are rescued are so very grateful. It’s like they know you saved them, and they cherish everything you provide: their food, toys, their bed, everything. If you want to feel appreciated in life, adopting a rescue dog or cat will certainly do the trick!
Pets aren’t just great pals; they encourage healthier lifestyles for their owners. Ever notice how having a dog encourages you to go for walks or a playful cat gets you moving? This physical activity is a bonus to your daily routine, contributing to better physical health alongside emotional wellbeing.
I’m a person who has suffered with depression during certain times in my life. There was a time when having to take care of my pets was truly the only thing that got me out of bed in the morning.
Seriously, I don’t know how deep my depression would’ve gotten at that time if I didn’t have the responsibility of caring for my pets. Sometimes when we save their lives, they’ll turn around and safe ours!
Watch my video about the many ways in which pets improve our mental and physical health!
First Time Adopting a Pet?
Terrific! I’ve got lots of help for you! Check out these posts for step-by-step instructions on how to prepare for your new pet, what you’ll need, how to care for your new pet and how to train them correctly!
How to Take Care of a Dog (includes video)
How to Take Care of a Cat (includes video)
New Puppy Checklist (printable)
New Kitten Checklist (printable)
Also check out this post from bestfriends.org, Top Reasons to Adopt a Pet Rather Than Buy.
Training Your New Pet
My top recommendation for dog and puppy training is The Online Dog Trainer, Doggy Dan. Read my review and get a $1 trial here.
My top recommendation for cat and kitten training is The Complete Cat Training Guide. You can read my review and purchase the program here.
I Donate to Animal Charities
Thanks so much for visiting! I hope this post convinced you that rescuing pets from shelters is the right thing to do if you’d like to adopt a pet! I’d love it if you’d come back and comment below this post to let me know what pet you adopted and how it’s going!
I donate 10% of my earnings from this website to the animal charities listed on this page. If you enjoyed this post, please share my website with other dog and cat owners! Thanks so much. Debra
As someone who has opened their heart and home to several pugs from local shelters, I can attest to the life-changing joy that comes with adopting rescue pets. Each of my pugs arrived with their own unique stories and quirks, but all shared an incredible capacity for love and resilience. Their presence has not only filled my home with laughter and affection but has also taught me invaluable lessons in patience, empathy, and the true meaning of companionship.
Adopting these pugs has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life, and I encourage others to consider giving a shelter pet a second chance—they might just rescue you right back.
Hello Debra,
I have adopted two dogs from shelters, the first one was Nala a black Labrador mix. The second one was a Miniature Dachshund we called Itsy! I learned quickly about Dachshunds powerful sense of smell. Itsy had only been with us for a couple of weeks, we were at my daughter’s softball game and Itsy had her nose up sniffing the air. So, I let her lead me to where her nose was taking us and she led me straight to the hot dogs at the concession stand. My hot dog wanted a hot dog!
Well Itsy had a number of health issues and we lost her two days after Christmas in 2018, she was only 4-1/2 years old. My wife and I were in serious depressions over losing her. My wife was looking for another Dachshund at several shelters in the area without any luck. She found a brown on white Dapple at a breeder, brought her home and named her Olive. Olive really saved us.
A year later my wife was asking me about getting a male Miniature Dachshund and breeding them. I agreed and she brought home a black and cream long haired. She asked me for a name suggestion and jokingly I said Popeye! Well Popeye and Olive treated us to four healthy pups about a year later and that completed out family.
I am sorry I got off the topic of shelter pets. They do make wonderful pets and give you unconditional love for their lifetime. They become a part of the family, and you talk and brag about them like they are your kids. I guess they are your kids at that point.
Okay I have a few questions, do you think shelters do enough to promote adoption and educate potential pet owners? I do not think they do, but they are on budgets.
How can communities better support animal shelters and promote responsible pet ownership? I think this is an issue that every community should be talking about. You hear the terrible stories of people getting pets for their young children and giving them up after a few months. I don’t know how people can do that, but I am soft-hearted.
Thank you,
Mark