I Pet You Didn't Know: Find a New Furry Friend

The start of a new year inspires positive change in our lives. Some want to get healthier, some want to try new things, and some may want to travel to new places. Perhaps you are thinking about bringing a new member into your family and perhaps that new family member has fur, feathers, or scales.

Pet ownership is an adventure with many great rewards, but it isn’t always easy. There may be a lot of training to be done, preparation of your home and finding a good vet and the right food. It’s all worth it though for the kisses and cuddles.

So where will you find your new family member?

Shelters and rescue organizations are wonderful places to find a new friend. They are dedicated to the welfare of animals and work hard to find the perfect home for each animal in their care. You can find pets of all different breeds, ages, temperaments and coat colors at a shelter or rescue. If you are looking to make a difference in the life of a pet, heading to your local shelter or contacting a rescue is the best way to make the most impact.

When you think of a shelter, you probably think of the SPCA. Many of the pets you find at their locations are surrendered by owners or stray animals that were roaming the streets but you’ll also find pets that were saved from high-kill shelters in other states. They have an adoption process and your new pet will come to you vetted, spayed or neutered and, in most cases, micro-shipped. The adoption fee that they charge covers all of that. Shelters may also offer low-cost veterinary care. This is how they help pet owners in the community keep their furry friends healthy and safe.

Rescues are a little bit different from shelters. Yes, they often save animals from high-kill shelters and will help individuals who are no longer able to take care of their pet. But they are frequently called for abandoned pets and abuse cases. Another big difference is that most of the individuals who are part of a rescue are volunteers; they do this work out of the kindness of their hearts. The pets they rescue are usually fostered by volunteers who help to place the animal in a safe, loving home. They too charge an adoption fee which may or may not include the same as a shelter. In a lot of cases, the fee may be a bit higher than a shelter but that is because rescues are usually funded solely by donations. You can feel good knowing that the fee you paid is going directly to help more animals.

However you decide to go about finding your new four-legged friend, please first consider rescues and shelters. Unless you are adopting from a highly reputable breeder, you run the risk of adopting from a puppy mill. The same holds true for buying from a pet store unless they are working with a local shelter or rescue. And NEVER buy a pet online. You always want to meet your potential pet and the person from which you are adopting. If meeting in person isn’t an option, it’s best to look elsewhere.

Make sure you get all the paperwork for your new friend too. You want to have proof that they are healthy. Having the paperwork is also a help for your veterinarian so they know where your pet stands as far as vaccines.

So when you’ve decided to finally get the pet you’ve been hoping for, check out your local shelter or contact a rescue. Every pet that gets adopted allows them to save the life of another pet.