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Adopting an animal from a shelter is a wonderful thing
to do, for both you and th 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, it is a life-long commitment.
NEVER
BUY AN ANIMAL FROM A PET STORE!!
Always adopt your pets, which can be found through petfinder.com (to the right).
Animals from stores often come from puppy mills where animals are inbred, massively onfined, and not treated very well.
Watch the video on this page for a closer look. Animals in pet stores are often confined in very small areas and deprived
of food, water, and attention. What is more, 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 him outside, keep
him out when it's wet, cold, or hot, or keep him confined. Always keep your cat indoors, and make sure animals 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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