1. There are too many homeless pets.
This is due to the owner's failure to neuter or spay their own pets, along with people's demand for purebred dogs or cats. Too often, people see pets as "disposable" by taking them to our shelter with the same attitude as returning a shirt to the store that they didn't like. Others take pets or entire litters to the shelter under the fantasy that they will always be adopted. Newly separated kittens and puppies suffer most as they are also searching for their mother.

2. "Mutts" often make the best pets!
Mixed breed dogs are now being used for aiding the deaf and blind, as well as in law enforcement. Mutts are just as trainable, and you probably won't have to deal with the personality quirks of some types of purebred. For example, some purebreds are high-strung, but mixed bloodlines usually mellow the animal. Also, you may not want the expense and upkeep of a purebred, especially if it requires the services of a professional groomer. Adopting a shelter pet will usually cost less than $100, and that includes a certificate for spaying or neutering, a free Veterinarian health check, first vaccination, rabies vaccination, microchip, license and a pet starter kit with pet products. Try a "mutt," you will love him!!!

3. Contrary to popular belief, shelter pets are not behavioral cases or training "rejects."
Although a number of shelter drop-offs list "behavioral problems" as the reason for giving up a pet, the true problem is almost always the owner's lack of attention, training, and care. Some think an animal can housebreak itself or are surprised to find out they must put effort into training a pet. Many people obtain a pet on a whim or spur of the moment without thinking about what it takes to care for it. For instance, they may work long hours or travel frequently, leaving their pet alone constantly and then wonder why (out of boredom) it has chewed, dug holes, or found similar ways to pass the time. Also, some people think training involves hitting, kicking, and yelling at the dog, and since the dog is too terrified to think, much less learn, that person calls the dog "untrainable." Remember, there are no bad dogs, but there are plenty of dogs that are victims of bad pet owners. Your adopted pet can learn basic obedience very well with some care and patience, and love.
Tip: If a dog or cat seems uninterested or afraid in the cage or kennel, don't rule him out. They may just be disoriented or lonely. Spend some time picking your pet, and consider every animal there.

4. Many shelter pets are already housebroken and have some training.
In general, adult pets are easier to live with. Not only do you have an instant companion you can take with you on walks and drives, but you eliminate the baby stage. A small puppy needs hours of housebreaking training and frequent walks because of their small bladders, but they still have accidents in the house. A puppy also may cry a great deal at night because he misses his mother and litter mates. While a puppy is teething, he'll probably chew on everything in sight. Also, a puppy can grow up to be bigger than you thought he'd be, or more aggressive or hyper than you like. An adult dog won't change much from what you see in the shelter. Adult cats are more independent, litter trained or housebroken, and still playful and affectionate!
It's not uncommon to adopt an adult pet and find that not only is he trained, but might have a few tricks up his sleeve! (Roll over, fetch the paper, balance cookies on his nose....)

5. Spend less money!
Purebreeds can cost roughly $200 to $1000 just to purchase. A shelter pet will only set you back $35 to $100 to adopt, and that will include a certificate for spay/neuter, a free Veterinarian health check, first vaccination, rabies vaccination, microchip, license and a pet starter kit with pet products. Try a "mutt," you will love him!!!. Pure breeds can also require professional grooming to look the way they're supposed to.

On the subject of pure breeds, you can find them in shelters, too. For example, in 1996, shelters received an unusually high number of Dalmatians, because of movies they were the novelty pet at that time. This happened again starting in 2001. For some people, pets are just possessions, and they get rid of them when the novelty wears off. Or, they were unaware of the characteristics of the breed. (Dalmatians like to run!)

6. You will help stop animal cruelty.
This is how adopting from a shelter helps stop the vicious cycle: Our shelter requires that you neuter or spay, which prevents the cat or dog population from further expanding. Thus, fewer animals will starve or go cold & hungry. Pedigreed pets are wonderful, but encouraging breeders to produce more litters for sale adds to the problem. If you buy a purebred, the animal you would have taken home from the shelter may not find a home. You would have loved and cherished that shelter pet just as much as a purebred. If you want a pet, help reduce the homeless pet population, and adopt it from the shelter!