From service dogs who work to save lives, to pets that offer precious companionship, there are many ways that animals make our world a better place. This October, you have the chance to do the same for them as we celebrate Adopt a Pet Month.
By adopting a pet from your local shelter, you can give a pet the safe, loving home they deserve while also supporting the life-saving work your local shelter provides. It may be the best way to add a furry friend to your family!
If you are considering pet adoption, you may have a few questions about the process and the different scenarios you may encounter. In this blog, we’ll explain what you need to know before adopting a pet, why we love shelter adoption, and the many ways you can support organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States (“HSUS”), even without adoption.
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Why should you adopt a pet from an animal shelter?
You may have heard the phrase, “adopt, don’t shop” when it comes to getting a new pet. Following this belief reduces both the number of pets waiting in shelters and the demand for store-bought animals. Since many of these animals come from puppy mills and other places that may use unethical practices, adoption helps to mitigate this industry’s appeal. You can bring home a new part of the family and feel good about doing it.
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Top benefits of pet adoption
1. Saving lives
Along with reducing unethical breeding practices, adoption helps to save the lives of numerous animals who find a new home. An estimated one million animals are euthanized at shelters every year because they couldn’t find a new family. When you adopt a pet, you give that animal a second chance at life.
2. Reducing your costs
Many shelters include the price of spaying/neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping in the adoption fee. Without these costs, which you would have to pay for most new pets, you can keep more money in your wallet. Many shelter animals are also less expensive than store-bought pets, saving you even more.
3. Making your life easier
Baby animals require a lot of work, including house training and other typical baby misbehaviors. Shelter pets, on the other hand, have typically grown out of these behaviors. Many are also already house-trained, saving you time and effort and reducing unfortunate messes.
4. Supporting a great cause
Rather than going toward a pet store’s bottom line, the price you pay for your pet is used to provide shelter and care to the homeless animals in your community. The shelter can use those funds to buy food, pay staff, and to provide medical assistance to hurting animals. Adopting your pet also makes room for another animal at a shelter. Most shelters take in thousands of animals every year, so your support makes a big difference.
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Common questions about adopting a pet
If you’ve never adopted a pet before, you may have questions or uncertainties about bringing a shelter pet home. While every animal is unique, there are ways to prepare for this exciting adventure. Below, you will find answers to some common questions about what to expect when adopting a shelter animal.
Are shelter animals aggressive?
No! This is a common misconception about shelter animals. Every animal is carefully evaluated before being placed for adoption, so you will know what to expect before bringing them home. Some pets do have special requirements, but that only includes a need for extra love, time, and attention to overcome the abuses or neglect they experienced in the past.
Do shelter animals need training?
Many pets in shelters have had some level of potty and/or behavior training during their time in the shelter or with their previous owner, however, some of this training may have slipped. When adopting a pet, you should expect to do some training when you first bring them home.
Are shelter animals free?
Most shelters require an adoption fee for their animals. These fees help cover the cost of the care the shelter gives to their residents. Some shelters may waive or lower their fees during special events, so get in touch with your local shelter to ask.
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Ways to protects animals other than adoption
Pet adoption isn’t the right option for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t join the fight! The Humane Society of the United States offers many opportunities for people who want to help animals in need. You can support the organization’s efforts to end suffering for all animals several ways, including:
- Donating financially as a one-time or monthly gift
- Making a charitable contribution in the name or memory of a loved one
- Joining legislative campaigns to end cruel practices
- Volunteering time and efforts
If these options don’t work for you, you can also use your Porte debit card to support HSUS through our #DoortoChange program.3
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Supporting the Humane Society of the United States through #DoortoChange
Through our #DoortoChange charitable giving program, your everyday purchases add up to donations to the charity you select in the app.3 All you have to do is follow these steps to get started:
- Open your Porte app and choose “Select a cause that matters to you”
- Select the Humane Society of the United States
- Keep spending as usual. Donations are made based on how much you spend, and it doesn’t cost you anything extra.
You can help the organization continue improving the world for animals!
Learn more about HSUS and our #DoortoChange program here.