Why Adoption is a Great Option

Roughly 6.5 million animals enter U.S. shelters every year. And the numbers on how many make it out to live long lives in loving homes? Not great. When you adopt a pet (as opposed to buying one from a pet store or a breeder), not only do you save that one’s life, but you open a new spot in the shelter for the next needy pet. That is the primary reason why adopting a pet is an excellent option.

But there are a myriad of other reasons why, and of other places to adopt pets from too! Check it out:

By the Numbers

6.5 million companion animals enter shelters each year in the U.S. Where do they come from? Often, they were someone’s pet that got away, without a microchip or tags. And sources report anywhere between 1.5 and 4 million of these animals being euthanized each year. Most assume it’s because the animals are suffering, aggressive, or just too numerous for shelters to contain. The latter is often the case in municipal shelters, but in general, a more apt reason for why adoption rates are much lower than euthanasia rates is that they’re simply homeless and deemed expendable. The majority are healthy or have very treatable health issues. This is why adoption is so important! It can often be a case of life or death.

What Does ‘Adopted’ Mean?

Adopting your new best friend can mean you get her from a shelter or rescue, or from a friend, acquaintance, or online marketplace. Animal shelters are often the most affordable place to adopt a pet from. The adoption fee is usually no more than a couple hundred dollars and will usually include spay or neuter and initial vaccinations. And sometimes shelters will waive adoption fees altogether if they’re getting full and need to free up space.

One of our favorite pet non-profits is Fetch Wisconsin Rescue. They have a wide range of fostered pets who are ready for their fur-ever home! 

At shelters, you can’t be as choosy on breed or age, but they are great places to find a great family dog that may otherwise go overlooked. If you do have your heart set on a particular breed, you can try a breed-specific rescue.

Many shelters are indeed forced to euthanize due to space shortages. So, by adopting from there means not only are you giving one lucky pet a home, but you’re freeing up that spot for the shelter, so they can take in another needy animal. You’re doing a double good! Saving two lives.

You’re Ending the Support of Puppy Mills

Many a well-intended prospective pet parent has been wooed by the cute doggies-in-the-window at a pet store. And these little sweeties are certainly deserving of good homes too but buying them in this way often means supporting an unsavory source—a puppy mill.

While these are legal in the United States, they are unregulated. Puppy mills are all about maximizing reproduction and profit, and less so about the welfare of the dogs involved. This all too often looks like woefully inadequate veterinary care, food, water, and recovery time for mothers between litters, and even inbreeding. This all means that puppy mill pups can be rather sickly, with illnesses sometimes not making themselves known until they start to grow up a bit. That can mean big vet bills for you. Have good dog insurance on hand by checking out Bivvy.

No matter what kind of a situation you adopt your pet from or what condition they’re in when you bring them home, Bivvy pet insurance is there for you. We accept all cats and dogs no matter their age, breed or size! Plus, new, unexpected accidents and illnesses, including hereditary conditions, congenital and chronic conditions, and diagnostic treatment, are within our scope of coverage. Check out our Bivvy insurance reviews for real pet parent experiences!

If you’re interested in adding a new furry friend to your family, do your research, and think long and hard about your ideal future family pet. Only you can make the right decision for your family as to whether it’s a purebred dog that’s bred with specific traits for a certain purpose, or if you’re in love with a specific breed and want to adopt from a rescue that knows that breed inside and out, or if you want to head to your local general shelter with an open mind and see which pet in need calls out to you.

We’re big on pet adoption here at Bivvy. Not only does it make you a lifesaver, but it sets you up with a new best friend who will likely have a special degree of gratitude to you for taking them from homeless to happily housed and part of your family.