Are You Hesitating to Adopt a Shelter Animal?

So you have decided that you want a new pet. Perhaps you are thinking about adopting from an animal shelter but you aren't quite sure yet. You already know in your heart, it's the right thing to do.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (ASPCA) website, 50% of dogs and 70% of cats are put down for lack of people to adopt them. Although some animals may have some issues having been raised on the streets or being abused, a large number of animals are former pets of families who can no longer afford to take care of them. If you are concerned about adopting a stray, abandoned or abused animal, talk to a staff member at the shelter. If you fall in love with a pet with such a history, they can help you navigate and nurture the animal back life and love. If you would prefer to avoid the challenge, the staff can steer you toward animals who were raised in good homes but whose owners are no longer able to care for them.

Many shelters are now using the ASPCA's Meet Your Match program to make compatible matches of pets and pet owners. Using a color code system, you are able to see which potential pets will fit you and your lifestyle the best based on the information you provide and their assessments of the individual animals.

If you are concerned about the costs of adopting a pet from an animal shelter, consider the fact that many of the shelters already spay or neuter their animals or will do so for free or at low cost. Most shelters arrange the adoption for little or nothing unlike your local pet shop or breeder. I know your pocket book says YES! Of course, any pet owner to be must consider the costs of caring for a new pet-click here for ASPCA estimated annual costs for your specific animal. http://www.aspca.org/adoption/pet-care-costs.html

Whether you adopt a shelter animal or buy one from the pet store or neighbor, take your time to reflect on your needs and the animal's needs. Spend some time with the animal or animals you are considering. Don't make a rush decision. You will, hopefully, be spending many hours and years together. The ASPCA website provides a great deal of information about pet adoption and care. Take the time to read it over by clicking here. http://www.aspca.org/adoption/

If you decide to adopt and I, for one, hope you do, you can find a local shelter through their searchable database.