If you’re thinking of adding a furry friend to your home you may want to consider adopting a pet. Adopting a pet has a number of benefits with the biggest benefit being you’re saving a life.

It is estimated that about 1.5 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States each year, and although that number has decreased in the past several years due to people adopting, the numbers are still drastically high. The more people who adopt don’t shop are saving an animal and helping shelters have space for other animals who need it.

Here are 6 more benefits to adopting a pet:

• Saves You Money

  Many times shelters include the cost of spay/neuter, microchipping, and vaccinating in the adoption fee which will save you some money since you won’t have to pay for the procedures yourself. Plus adoption fees are lower than if you were to purchase a pet from a breeder.

• Adoption Helps More Than One Animal

  Shelters all over the country take in a countless number of stray, abused, and lost animals so when you adopt an animal you are helping shelters make room for other animals. The adoption fees also go towards helping shelters provide care and services for the animals in the shelters.

• Helps to Eradicate Puppy Mills

  Animals from puppy mills are typically housed in poor conditions with improper medical care, and are often very sick and behaviorally troubled due to these poor conditions. Sadly, the mothers of these puppies are often kept in cages, bred over and over and then abandoned, killed, or sold. Puppy mills will continue to operate as long as people continue to support them. By adopting a pet, you can be certain you aren’t giving puppy mills a dime.

• Improves Health

  Various studies have shown that a having pet can improve your health. The CDC reports the bond between people and their pets can increase fitness, lower stress, and bring happiness to their owners. Pets can also decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and feelings of loneliness while increasing opportunities for exercise and socialization.

• Unconditional Love

  A pet is a friend for life! A companion that will love you no matter what and will show you affection. What better way to create that bond of unconditional love with an animal you saved from a shelter.

• You're Supporting Shelters

  When you adopt a pet from a shelter you’re not only saving a life, but you’re helping shelters continue to provide care for animals. When you adopt from a shelter, since adopted animals are spayed or neutered, you are helping to diminish the chances of overpopulation.

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