The decision to adopt a pet is life-changing in more ways than one. Not only can you provide a loving home for a furry friend in need, but it can also benefit you and your family. In Australia, millions of homeless animals desperately need a forever home.
According to the RSPCA, 94,828 animals entered their shelters alone from 2021 to 2022. Thankfully, due to the RSPCA’s committed work, most animals were either returned to their owners or rehomed.
But they can only continue their good work with our help. So, In this article, we will highlight the major reasons why adopting a pet is a great idea and how it can help reduce the number of homeless animals in Australia.
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Adopt a pet to save a life
One of the most compelling reasons to adopt a pet is to save a life. Adopting a pet from an animal shelter gives a loving home to an animal that may otherwise face euthanasia.
With a shocking 264 dogs and cats euthanised every day, the need to adopt our pets is greater than ever. Adopting a pet not only saves their life but also helps to reduce the number of homeless animals. Alternatively, consider fostering a dog or cat if you can.
2. Improve your mental and physical health
Studies have shown that pets can positively impact their owner’s mental and physical health, as well as our quality of life as a whole.
Adopting a pet can:
- Help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Provide companionship, which can be especially vital for older individuals, those grieving a loved one, those facing health issues and those who live alone.
Additionally, owning a dog can encourage physical activity and help improve cardiovascular health.
3. Teach children responsibility and compassion
Adopting a cat or a dog is also good for a child’s physical and mental health and helps them develop vital social skills, including being more empathetic with other children. Children who grow up with pets learn how to care for another living being, which can help instil a sense of responsibility and empathy. Kids with dogs also have less anxiety.
Moreover, caring for a pet can help children develop a sense of compassion towards animals and other living beings.
4. Adopting is cost-effective
Adopting a pet from an animal shelter is usually less expensive than buying one from a breeder or a pet store. Many animal shelters charge a nominal adoption fee to cover the cost of vaccinations and sterilisation.
The RSPCA adoption fees are much lower than buying from a breeder, which can often charge thousands, and the fees go towards helping more animals. Additionally, many shelter animals are already housetrained and socialised, saving you time and money on training.
5. Find the perfect match
When you adopt a pet from an animal shelter, you can find the perfect match for your family and lifestyle. Animal shelters have various animals of different breeds, sizes, and personalities. By working with the staff, you can find a pet that fits your needs and personality, ensuring that you are well-suited for one another.
6. Help fight the backyard breeders and puppy mills
By adopting a pet, you are helping to reduce the demand for dogs and cats, which leads to problems like puppy mills and backyard breeders. Many pet stores and breeders also prioritise profits over the welfare of animals, which can result in unethical breeding practices and poor living conditions for the animals.
By adopting a pet from a shelter, you are taking a stand against these practices and promoting the ethical treatment of animals.
7. Give an older pet a second chance
Older pets are often overlooked in shelters, as many prefer to adopt younger puppies and kittens. However, adopting a senior pet can be incredibly rewarding. Older animals are typically already trained and socialised, and they often have a calmer demeanour than younger animals and are happier taking a nap in the sun.
Older pets mean you don’t have sleepless nights housetraining or dealing with issues like teething. Additionally, adopting pets in their golden years can be a great choice for those who don’t have the time or energy to train a young animal.
8. Free up space in shelters
When pets are adopted, shelters can accommodate more animals in need without euthanising them due to overcrowding. Adopting a pet can help reduce the burden on rescues and allow them to focus their resources on providing care for animals still waiting for their forever homes.
9. Prevent overpopulation
Getting an animal from a shelter can help overpopulation because most shelters will spay or neuter their animals before adoption. This helps to reduce the number of homeless animals and prevent unwanted litter. By adopting a pet, you’re helping to support responsible pet ownership and reduce the strain on animal shelters.
10. Bragging rights (in a good way!)
Adopting a pet can give you bragging rights. Not only can you proudly say that you’ve saved a life, but you can also share your adoption story with others and encourage them to consider adoption as well. This way, we can help more than just our own animals but also positively impact our community.
11. Make a lifelong friend
The most important reason to adopt a pet is to make a lifelong friend. Pets offer unconditional love and companionship and can become an integral part of your life. Adopting a pet means committing to care for them for the rest of their life, and in return, they will provide you with years of love and joy.
Final thoughts
Adopting a pet is a beautiful decision with numerous benefits for both the animal and the adopter. By adopting a pet from a reputable animal shelter like the RSPCA, you are providing a loving home for an animal in need, improving your mental and physical health, teaching children responsibility and compassion, and helping to reduce the demand for pet stores and breeders.
With millions of homeless animals in Australia, adopting a pet is a small but significant way to make a difference in their lives. So, if you’re thinking about getting a pet, consider adopting one from an animal shelter and give a furry friend a second chance at life.
Learn more about pet adoption at RSPCA >
