Bringing home a new pet is an incredibly exciting experience, and by choosing to adopt, you can truly make a difference in an animal’s life. Every year, millions of dogs and cats are euthanized because there is not enough room for them. Shelters nationwide are full of loving pets deserving of a forever home, and by choosing adoption, you can save a life. Not convinced? Here are 6 reasons why you should adopt from an animal shelter:
Reason 1: Saving a Life
One of the biggest reasons to adopt is the simple fact that you would be saving a life! When you adopt a pet from a shelter, you’ll give that pet a second chance at life – and protect them from possible euthanization. Millions of cats and dogs are euthanized annually in the United States because there is not enough room in shelters for all of them. The number of euthanized pets can be reduced drastically if more people adopt. Eleta: Eleta, a beautiful Weimaraner blend, is the perfect example of an orphan pet who was given a second chance at life. Eleta arrived at the Center after being rescued from a shelter that had lost power due to the relentless Texas storms. In early March of last year, Eleta was adopted by a local San Diego family. Her forever family shared, “She is so loved already by her siblings and cousins. I’m so grateful to have her in our life, I hope she feels the same.” 
Reason 2: Reduce Pet Overpopulation
Adopting from shelters helps to break the pet overpopulation cycle. Approximately 6.3 million pets enter shelters nationwide each year, and there is not enough space. That means there is a desperate need for families and individuals to adopt. Shelters and rescue groups are full of orphan pets deserving of a loving home. When you choose adoption, you help remove more pets from overpopulated shelters.
Reason 3: More Affordable
Adopting a pet from an animal shelter is much less expensive than buying a pet from a pet store, breeder, or other source. Purchasing a pet can easily cost thousands of dollars from breeders, while adoption costs significantly less with spaying/neutering procedures and vaccinations taken care of by animal shelters. The cost to care for pure breed dogs from breeders can spike drastically as the animal gets older since pure breed dogs tend to have a much higher occurrence of genetic disorders than blend dog breeds.
Reason 4: Supporting an Institution that Helps Animals
Here at Helen Woodward Animal Center, our number one mission is to help orphan pets in need like so many other organizations worldwide. The center helps rescue pets from close to 50 organizations all over the United States. Many pets that come to us would not have a second chance if it weren’t for the haven provided by Helen Woodward Animal Center. We save the lives of more than 3,800 orphan pets each year and help them find a forever home. By adopting a pet, you help support organizations just like us. 
Sugar Cookie: Australian Shepherd Heeler blend, Sugar Cookie, spent Christmas here at the Center, but luckily, he found his forever home before 2021 ended. The Hinchman family had been looking at our website for adoptable puppies throughout December for their daughter, who had been waiting thirteen years to get a puppy of her own. Sugar Cookie (now known as Percy) was a perfect fit for their family and now gets to spend forever with the perfect family.
Reason 5: Encourages Others to Adopt
Your adoption of a new furry friend may encourage others to do the same. When you adopt a pet from a shelter, you can show those around you how easy and rewarding the process is. By showing off your pet, you can showcase how wonderful shelter pets are.
Reason 6: Pets Help Humans
Not only do pets give us unconditional love, but they are physically, psychologically, and emotionally beneficial to their companions. Pets have been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while decreasing feelings of loneliness. Adopting a dog can also help you achieve a healthier lifestyle and even improve cardiovascular health.
Adopt a Pet From Helen Woodward Animal Center!
Here at Helen Woodward Animal Center, we have adoption counselors to help you find a pet that will be a perfect match for your life. If you are in the San Diego area and looking to add a furry friend to your family, visit our adoptions website!
