It's about more than just giving animals in need a good home...

One good reason to adopt a dog or cat into a permanent and loving home is that by doing so you save the life of an animal in need!  According to the Humane Society, an estimated 8-10 million cats and dogs were put into shelters 

in the United States last year and of those 4-5 million were euthanized.  In the Las Vegas area, more than 30,000 animals are euthanized every year.  And these numbers do not count for the countless animals that are abandoned, abused and starving in the streets.

There are many additional reasons pet adoption is the smart, humane and ethical choice for obtaining a pet.  Animals being sold in pet stores may likely come from cat and puppy mills that place profits over the safety, health and well being of their animals.   Cat and puppy mills churn out animals as fast as possible to maximize profit, and animals kept in mills often live in very inhumane circumstances.  Because of this, animals from cat and 

puppy mills often are diseased, have poor socialization skills or human aggression due to lack of positive human interaction and often have genetic defects from excessive inbreeding. By adopting a pet from a shelter or animal society, not only do you save a life but you help take a stand against an industry that thrives on mistreating animals.

There are also financial benefits to adopting an animal.  Adoption costs range from $50 to $300 depending on the shelter or animal society, which is much less than the costs of purchasing an animal that can easily reach $1,000 or more.  Also, based on the principle of hybrid vigor, a mixed-breed animal is like to live longer and cost less than a pure bred as pure bred dogs can be more prone to health issues such as hip dysplasia, kidney problems and more.

Shelters and animal societies also give you a much greater range of choices (breed, size, age, temperament…) so you can find the perfect dog or cat for you and your circumstances.

Is Adoption Right For Me?

Animals bring so much joy, compassion and unconditional love to our lives.  But that said, owning a pet is an important responsibility and is a decision that should not be rushed into.  Pets require attention, exercise and affection on a daily basis, as well as placing additional financial obligations on you and your family.  So take time and consider all these factors when considering a new addition to your family.

If you are ready and able to provide a loving home for a cat or dog, please make the smart, humane and ethical choice and adopt!  There are endless possibilities for you to find the perfect companion for you and your lifestyle.