Why You Should Adopt Your New Pet from the ASPCA

The decision to bring an animal into your home is one that should not be taken lightly. Once you have decided what kind of animal you want, you have to decide where to purchase it. You have several options from pet stores to animal rescues. I have found that the most humane thing to do is adopt from the ASPCA. They have dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs, rabbits, even fish. The shelters are crowded, and these animals are in need of loving homes. There are benefits to adopting from the pound for you, too.

Any article on this topic would be incomplete without mention of why adopting from the ASPCA is the right thing to do. Our country already has a serious problem with overpopulation of animals like dogs and cats. Pet stores depend on the creation more new life. The ASPCA, much like human adoption agencies, tries to find homes for animals already in existence who needs homes. Adopting from the humane society helps us lower those populations and keep strays off the street for that reason. There's also the fact that the fee you pay goes to helping more animals in need, rather than simply being profit.

Adopting from the pound is also less expensive. The adoption fee, usually $75-150 for dogs and cats, is much lower than the several hundred you would pay to buy one from the pet store. Again, this fee isn't profit; it goes to compensate the shelter for taking care of animals. It also covers many things that you would have to pay for yourself in most cases after buying a dog or cat from the pet store. You usually get a short health insurance policy, free shots, and a free veterinarian exam. All animals are spayed or neutered before they can be adopted, another procedure you'd have to pay out of pocket if you bought from a store.

Taking a pet home from the animal shelter may mean that the dog comes with problems. A dog may not yet be properly house trained yet or may be very shy. Usually, it's nothing that time, love, and tenderness won't cure--as well as obedience school, which is only $100 at Petsmart. These dogs may require a bit of work and attention--but so do puppies from the pet shop.

You can be sure, though, when you adopt from the ASPCA, you will be getting an animal with a good temperament and demeanor. The ASPCA does not adopt out animals that have shown aggression. They do a number of screening exercises to see how a dog responds to having ears pulled, having hands near his food, etc. They will work with dogs that have social problems until the issues are solved. If nothing can be done, unfortunately the animal must be put done, and the same is done with feral cats. It's sad, but it ensures that all dogs and cats adopted from the pound will be good, safe companions.

I have adopted two dogs from the humane society. On my 18^th birthday, I became the "mother" and friend of a 2-3 year-old boxer mix that I named Cookie. She was very thin and in need of food and love. I paid only $75 for her. She came spayed, up-to-date on her shots, and with a free vet check-up. She has been my closest friend for four years now. She's 6-7 years old at this point, and my 2 year-old adores her. About a year ago, we adopted a Beagle mix named Charlie for $150. He also has a very sweet personality and is very tolerant. Like Cookie, all his health needs were covered by the adoption fee. We've had to house break both dogs and deal with a few bad habits--like cat-chasing--but these dogs have been wonderful additions to our family.

I would encourage anyone considering adding a pet to their family to adopt from the ASPCA. They mainly "deal" in dogs and cats, but you can find fish, guinea pigs, rabbits, even ferrets there. They allow you to bring in your animals to meet the potential new recruits, so you can see how well they get along. They'll help you learn how to deal with any bad habits or medical problems. There's a lot of support when you adopt from the humane society. You will save money, get a pet that is sure to have a good personality, and help animals when you adopt from the ASPCA.