Pet Adoption and Animal Shelters

Americans love to own pets and according to the Humane Society almost 40% of American households have a dog and 33% a cat. However, the number of animals is much bigger and not all of them find a home. In addition, some get lost or run away. Most lost pets that end up in an animal shelter are not returned to their owners. There are almost 5,000 shelters in the U.S. and according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 60% of dogs and 70% of cats in the shelters are euthanized.

Nevertheless, adopting a pet from a shelter is not very easy. Although shelters are overcrowded, their first concern is the best future for all the animals that are adopted. If you cannot prove that you have time for the dog or cat, that you have researched the breed you want the animal to be and that everyone in the house agrees to the adoption, you might not be able to get through the adoption procedures.

Workers in shelters have years of experience and can be identify matches better than the general public. Sometimes they are too cautious and all the questionnaires you have to fill in and the interview techniques seem unreasonable. But all these measures are their way of protecting the animals and making sure there will be less returns. There are shelters where you can benefit from volunteer programs and if you enroll in such programs, the staff will get to know you better, so you can reapply for adoption if you have been rejected in the past.

Pet stores ask no questions, but some pets are offered at high prices. If you decide to buy from a breeder, you should first ask for recommendations and do some extensive research.

Only a small percent of household pets are pampered and their owners buy pet insurance. 15% of pets are bought from breeders and just 2% from pet shops. While pet owners that live in urban areas think of their animals as part of their families, owners who live in rural areas are not as concerned about their pets. They do not take them to the vet as often as urban owners do, as there are fewer veterinarians in rural areas.

Some pets are taken from the shelters or from neighbors or friends at low cost, and the money spent on their maintenance is not much. However, they are generally healthy. But unfortunately, too many pets are surrendered to shelters for various reasons.

Most often animals are sent to shelters because owners move house. The behavior of animals is another reason, barking for example might become a problem for families that live in apartment complexes. Also, there are people who come to realize that the maintenance cost is too high and decide to send the animal to a shelter.

More than 50,000 puppies and kittens are born every day in the U.S. This leaves four out of five animals that become neglected or homeless.

Please visit ThePound.org to learn more about your local Animal Shelter and Animal Shelters.