1. If you adopt, you’ll save a life
Around 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized each year in the United States simply because too many people give up their pets, and too few people adopt from shelters.
Because there is limited space at shelters, staff members sometimes need to make very hard decisions to euthanize animals who haven’t been adopted.
The number of euthanized animals could be reduced dramatically if more people adopted pets instead of buying them.
By adopting from a private humane society or animal shelter, rescue group, or the local animal-control agency, you’ll help save the lives of two animals—the pet you adopt and a homeless animal somewhere who can be rescued because of space you helped free up.