Rescue Resolution! Save a Life, Adopt a Pet!

What are your new year resolutions this year? What were they last year? Did you achieve them? Maybe instead of the usual quitting of some bad habit or losing unwanted weight or finding a new job or mate perhaps a new kind of resolution would be more rewarding. How about saving a life this year?!

Over 11 million domestic cats and dogs are euthanized each and every year in the United States alone. This is simply due to over population and is completely preventable. That is 11 million lives being slaughtered unnecessarily because there aren't enough people and homes who want them so we kill them. This is completely preventable and has been proven through a widespread campaign to educate, sterilize and adopt our domestic animals.

When we spay or neuter our pets and also spay and neuter stray dogs and cats and release them back into their environments it slows down the process of over breeding. When we adopt shelter and animal rescue pets we are saving a life but also we are not supporting back yard breeders and puppy/kitty mills from contributing to the problem of over population. When we educate the public through programs at schools and through our local human societies and other shelters and rescues we help people become aware of this growing problem that is completely preventable.

Some people may be concerned about adopting a shelter pets because they don't know the history or understand what the issues may e with that pet. They think that they will know more about a pet they buy at a pet store or through a breeder. But, think about that for a minute. Pet stores and breeders have a specific goal of making money by selling pets. Shelters and animal rescues actually lose money in their efforts to save lives and find loving homes for the pets they are helping. A pet from a shelter goes through a thorough physical exam and also personality profiling. If they are "owner released" there is often a history given when they are turned over to the rescue or shelter.

They are also given all their shots and necessary treatments as well as spayed or neutered. The goal of shelter and animal rescues is to save lives and find loving homes for the pets they have rescued. There is no monetary motivation therefore there is no conflict of interest for them to provide all pertinent information necessary to new potential pet guardians. Do you have to assurance with a pet store or breeder when their main goal is to make money?

So, if you are concerned with quality control and finding a pet who will become a welcome new member of your family please consider adopting or rescuing a pet from a local shelter or animal rescue. Often times it seems as if they know you have saved them and they end of being a loyal and cherished member of your family. Will saving a life and adding a new member to your family make it to your list of resolutions this next year? Perhaps that resolution will be one that sticks! Saving a life by adopting a shelter pet will be easier and more rewarding than losing a few pounds.