1. Because you'll save a life.

A shelter pet is more than one in a million—he or she one in 2.7 million. That's the number of adoptable dogs and cats still euthanized each year in the United States, because too many pets come into shelters and rescues and not enough people adopt.

The number of euthanized animals would be reduced dramatically if more people adopted pets instead of buying them. When you adopt, you save your animal and open up shelter and rescue space for another animal who might need it.

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2. Because shelter and rescue pets are great animals.

Animal shelters and rescue groups are brimming with happy, healthy pets just waiting for someone to take them home. Shelter and rescue pets ended up there because of a human problem like negelect, abuse, a move, a divorce, it got lost, or someone could not care for it anymore. They usually don't do anything wrong.

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3. Because you'll get a great deal.

When you adopt a pet, the cost of spay/neuter, first vaccinations are included in the adoption price, which means you've scored a major deal and save a life.

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4. Because of the bragging rights.

 A selfie of you with the adorable pet you just adopted, like the awesome person you are! Adopt a pet, post the pictures and let the love roll in.

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5. Because it's one way to fight puppy mills.

You're too smart to get a dog from a pet store or online seller—you might as well buy direct from a puppy mill.Puppy mills are "factory style" breeding facilities that put profit above the welfare of dogs. Animals from puppy mills are housed in horrifyingly poor conditions with improper medical care, and are often very sick and behaviorally troubled as a result. The moms of the puppies are kept in cages to be bred over and over for years, without human companionship and with little hope of ever joining a family. And after they're no longer profitable, breeding dogs are simply discarded by either being killed, abandoned or sold at auction. Puppy mills will continue to operate until people stop supporting them. 

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6. Because your home will thank you.

Many of the pets from shelters and rescues are already housetrained, which means you’re not only saving a pet’s life, you may be saving your carpet and furnature as well.

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7. Because all pets are good for your health, but an adopted pet is good for you emotionally.

Not only do animals give you unconditional love, but they have been shown to be psychologically, emotionally and physically beneficial. Caring for an animal can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment and lessen feelings of loneliness and isolation. When you adopt, you can also feel proud of yourself for helping an animal in need.

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8. Because you’re environmentally responsible.

You recycle your paper and plastic so it doesn’t end up in landfills, so why not pets? A “recycled” pet can make something even better: She can make you happy.

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9. Because you'll change a homeless animal's life.

Seriously, what could be better than that?

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