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Adopting an animal from a shelter is a wonderful thing
to do, for both you and the animal (never buy animals from a petstore or breeder!). Thousands of animals in shelters are waiting
for loving homes, but adoptions should never be impulse decisions. Don't bring home an animal as a holiday gift without
making thurough plans, and always make sure the animal is right for you, and your home is right for the animal. Remember,
pets are members of the family, and whether you choose a dog, cat, rabbit, or mouse, the adoption is a life-long commitment.
NEVER
BUY AN ANIMAL FROM A PET STORE!!
Always adopt your pets. Animals from stores often come from puppy mills where they
are inbred, massively confined, and not treated very well. Watch the video on this page for a closer look. Animals
in pet stores are often put in very small areas and deprived of food, water, and attention. Every home that purchases
an animal is one less home for a shelter pet, and many shelters euthanize animals when they are not adopted soon enough.
Every year, if all the animals killed in U.S. shelters were lined up, they would stretch from the coast of Maine to the coast
of Washington. That's 12 million animals each year!
REMEMBER:
*When you adopt a pet, plan for the costs of
veterinary care, food, toys, bedding, and other supplies.
*Know where your pet is going to live before bringing him home.
Don't chain her outside, keep her out when it's wet, cold, or hot, or keep her confined. Always keep
your cat indoors and make sure they get plenty of exercise.
*Spay or neuter your pet! He or she will live a loner,
happier, healthier life if you do. And remember, 1 female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 kittens in seven
years, and 1 female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in six years.
*Find out about apartment restrictions
and allergies before adopting a new friend. Find out about your pet befor you adopt her so you'll know what to expect.
*If
your dog will be in your yard at all, make sure it is secure; you don't want him escaping and getting hurt or lost.
And remember that many animals are stolen every year from people's homes and sold to vivisectionists.
*Consider adopting
an older animal. It is harder to find homes for them, and they need help as much as puppies or kittens do.
*Animals
can never get too much love! If you love them and care for them, they will love you back.
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