Benefits of Adopting from a Shelter and Why Animal Shelters are Essential

What are the benefits of adopting from a shelter? Tania Lopez ENG 010 3:00 pm 10/4/18

Why do we need animal shelters? Animal shelters are important for communities because some animals that have been neglected, abandon, stray or injured are kept there until they get the help they need. Some of the animals don't have a home and nobody can take care of them. Not only do they help animals in need but they are kept there till someone adopts them or until they are returned to their owners.

Why should you adopt? About 6.5 million animals are in shelters. About 1.5 millions dogs and cats are euthanized a year, many are euthanized because animal shelters get full or if they are too aggressive. Pets are good for your mental health It s less expensive to adopt then to buy from someone. You would save that animals life

According to the ASPCA, each year around 1.6 million dogs and cats get euthanized. 670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats But each year the number of dogs and cats being euthanize declines

Should you adopt or buy? Pros of adopting Con of buying It can help improve your health The animal might not be healthy Your pet will be vaccinated Your are supporting puppy mills Less expensive You won t know how they are behavior wise You would have the satisfaction that you saved a animals life More expensive Most of them are neutered/spayed Not neutered/spayed Behavior wise they are okay enough to put up for adoption No vaccines Most of the pets get microchipped Not microchipped

Feeling lonely? According to Steve Feldman, director of (HABRI) The human-animal bond research institute states that animals are good for your health and mental health. Also known as the pet effect which is a human animal-bond that can benefit both you and your pet in a positive way. Pets can help alleviate Stress Depression Loneliness Anxiety 98% of pet owners considers their pets part of the family and 74% have reported mental health improvements.

Myths and facts about adopting from a shelter Myths Facts Cats and dog are in the shelter because they are aggressive. Most animals are strays and they had a tough past but all they need is some love . Animals from the shelters are unclean. They are clean and well taken care of. Older cats and dogs won t bond with their owners Age is just a number, it doesn't t determine if you will have that special bond with them.

Where is your local animal shelter? With Petfinder you can find your local shelter, not also that but you can search what type of animal you are looking for. If you want to specify it more you can go by breed, see photos and there are many more options to choose to find the right pet for you.

What are some things you can do to help support your local shelter? You can donate things such as blankets, toys and food. You can volunteer such as help cleaning cages, taking pets out for walks and feed them. You can adopt a animal, the money goes back to the shelter to support pets and other expenses. You can foster a pet, sometimes animal shelters are to full and fostering a pet at your home is the best until there is available space at a shelter.

Works cited ASPCA shining a light on shelter myths https://www.aspca.org/blog/shining-light-shelter-myths ASPCA shelter statistics https://www.aspca.org/animal- homelessness/shelter-intake-and-surrender/pet-statistics Feldman, Steven For Better Mental Health, Experience the Pet Effect http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/blog/better-mental-health- experience-pet-effect Rowan N. Andrew Shelter and pet population: a statistical black hole 140 anthrozoos volume v, number3

Cont. Rowan and Kartal Dog population and dog sheltering trends in the United States Of America http://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=4&sid=3c2bcf7d- b1b2-4ed4-b58e- 5ddf7eefadb2%40sessionmgr4007&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2Z Q%3d%3d#AN=129756709&db=a9h