There comes a day and time when you are sitting on a park bench, and a person walks by with the cutest dog, just saw an ad on TV for The Humane Society of the United States, or stepped through your friend’s door to be welcomed by a chatty parrot. Then the thoughts creep in, ” Should I adopt a pet?”. Although the idea seems inspiring, there are a few things to consider to make the wisest decision. 

What Does it Mean to Adopt a Pet?

Adopting a pet and buying a pet is not the same thing. When you buy a pet, you are simply purchasing a designer dog or hybrid animal from a breeder or business. Adopting a pet means you are taking full responsibility for a previously owned animal.

You can go to a local animal shelter, search for a pet online through the shelter’s inventory, contact a rescue rehab, or attend a pet adoption event. For example, Petco partners with Petco Love and local animal welfare organizations. They host pet adoption events for the public to help people find their next best friend. 

Reasons to Adopt a Pet

Research indicates that 920,000 dogs and cats are euthanized in American shelters. This can be due to unstable and unsafe living environments. Therefore, adopting a pet and giving it a safe and secure home can feel highly rewarding. It can feel good knowing you stepped up and saved an animal’s life. You’d be fighting pet overpopulation and saving money too. 

The Health Benefits That Can Come From Adopting a Pet

According to the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), owning a pet can be highly beneficial to an individual’s mental and physical health. Caretaking promotes a greater sense of empathy and responsibility. Companionship promotes increased self-esteem and provides emotional support. 

For example, staying active with a pet can help reduce one’s risk of developing obesity-related diseases. Additional benefits of pet ownership include: 

• Reduced stress
• Decreased depression and anxiety symptoms
• Lowered blood pressure
• Reduced cholesterol 
• Decreased triglycerides

The Process Behind Adopting a Pet

If you feel indecisive about adopting a pet, it’s always good to do your research to educate yourself on the course and responsibility behind the process. To start, you can contact ASPCA’s national database of animal shelters. If you are simply looking for a brief overview that lightly covers the process, you are in the right place! 

To start, you can either visit an animal shelter or fill out an online application. You may be asked to fill out personal information for verification purposes. Depending on the facility chosen, you may then go through an interview process. A chosen representative may discuss your application to be certain the animal is a proper fit for your home. Sometimes a representative may come out to your residence to ensure you live in a safe environment.

Before sending you home, you’ll likely become educated on your animal’s nutritional, training, and medical needs. Lastly, you will pay an adoption fee. Fortunately, the payment is much less than if you were to buy an animal from a breeder. 

Thinking Carefully Before Making a Decision

Now that you’ve done your much-needed research, you made it. You must be sitting there thinking carefully about adopting a pet. Keep in mind a previously owned pet may have been abused, neglected, or abandoned. Showing the pet unconditional love and protection is a critical element in the adoption process. Now is the time to think about the pros and the cons. Things to consider before adopting a pet include: 

• Your budget 
• Lifestyle and commitment
• Allergies
• Home space
• Pet insurance
• Animal training
• Food and treats
• Pet supplies
• Grooming needs
• Animal breed
• The animal’s behavior
• Patience
• Compatibility with other pets in the home