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When you adopt from an animal shelter or humane society, you give a second chance to a pet in need, and you gain the warmth of a faithful friend. Homeless pets are at risk for a large number of dangers, including starvation, disease, and traffic accidents. By contrast, adopted animals live safer, healthier, and happier lives, and they have the chance to give their gift of companionship in return.
Pets are surrendered to animal shelters for a variety of reasons, some of them beyond the original owners’ control. However, some pets are seized from their original owners on accounts of abuse or neglect. Others are brought in as strays, which may otherwise be giving birth to new litters and furthering the cycle of animal pet over population.
Of all animals brought into shelters, only about 10% are spayed or neutered*. By contrast, around 75% of owned pets are spayed or neutered*, so adopting a pet from an animal shelter helps to stop this cycle of homelessness. At the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, all pets are spayed or neutered, thereby saving the new owners the cost and hassle of these procedures. All pets also receive permanent microchip identification, as well as all the initial, age-appropriate vaccinations they require to live long and healthy lives.
Unfortunately, due to the very high number of pets that are admitted to animal shelters, some pets are either turned away, or in the case of open-door shelters, they may be euthanized when shelter capacity is exceeded. According to the ASPCA, 50% of dogs and 70% of cats in animal shelters are euthanized simply because there is no one to adopt them*. Adopting a pet from an animal shelter gives a home to an animal that would otherwise be turned away or euthanized, and it also creates a space for another homeless pet to come into the shelter and have its chance at adoption into a loving home.
Adopting a pet also allows you to take in a new friend at affordable rates over private breeders or pet stores. Both mixed breeds and pure-bred pets are available, including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, and others. Adopting from WPHS also offers access to behavioral consultants to ensure a prosperous lifelong relationship between you and your pet, and a $30 annual membership donation allows your pet to visit the WPHS veterinary clinic without any office fee and to attend obedience classes at discounted rates. Finally, when you adopt from WPHS, you support community animal initiatives such as humane investigations and education and awareness programs.
If you are thinking of buying a pet or just looking for an animal companion, we strongly encourage you to consider adopting from animal shelters. The Western Pennsylvania Humane Society is deeply committed to the wellbeing of every animal that passes through its doors, and with your support we can find loving homes for as many of these wonderful pets as possible.
Western PA Humane Society is committed to being an Open Door shelter. Visit all our adoptable animals on the web at www.wpahumane.org
To learn more about an Open Door shelter, visit www.opendoorshelters.org.
*All estimates taken from the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) website at www.aspca.org
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