By Diana Leadley
Pushing the Envelope
The great question is “why not?” Adding a new member to your family is a big step, and we want to help you make the right decision when adopting. Here are our top 5 reasons to adopt a shelter pet!
1. Help Save a Life: All animals at our shelter have been given up by a previous owner, rescued, lost or abandoned. When you adopt, you’re given a helpless animal another chance at a safe, loving home.
2. Support a Local Nonprofit: Located here in Southwest Florida, we are dedicated to helping companion pets find their forever homes, no matter how long it takes. As a nonprofit organization and no-kill shelter, we are committed to caring for animals at our shelter with a veterinary clinic (including spay and neuter services). We also provide education to our surrounding community about the welfare of homeless animals.
3. Control Overpopulation: For the number of animals born each year, there are simply not enough homes for all of them. You are an important player in helping break this cycle. According to the ASPCA, “each year, approximately 2.7 million animals are euthanized (1.2 million dogs and 1.4 million cats.” That means that “of the cats entering shelters, approximately 37% are adopted, 41% are euthanized, and less than 5% of cats who came in as strays are returned to their owners.”
4. Save Money: It’s true! Adoption fees are a lot less than the cost of purebred puppies or kittens, which are simply sold for profit. Plus, the money you spend at a shelter goes toward supporting a great cause.
5. Choose from a Selection of Wonderful Animals: Many are reluctant to “shop” for their pet, rather than adopt simply because they want to be sure that they are bringing in an a quality pet. But rest assured that we have a large variety of animals to choose from, including specific breeds as well as friendly and affectionate mutts. According to the American Humane Association, “the most common reasons why people give away their dogs is because their place of residence does not allow pets,” and “the most common reasons for cats are that they are not allowed in the residence and allergies.” The residence animal policy especially holds true for many neighborhoods and communities right here in Southwest Florida.
We hope you’ll give our animals a visit when adding a member to your family. Please remember: Adopt, Don’t Shop!
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