5 Reasons You Should Adopt a Pet Instead of Buying

Have you thought of bringing a pet into your home? Adding a furry friend to your family is a
significant choice, whether it’s your first pet or not. And whatever your previous pet-owning
experience or your motivations for looking for a best friend are, you probably have some
questions. One of the most important ones is where to look for your future best friend. Your
initial thought could be to go to a pet shop or breeder and get a puppy or kitty. After all, this may
be how your parents did for you, and it’s all too often the story told in movies. However, there is
another option that people used to overlook: adoption. Fortunately, adoption grew in popularity
over the years, and people started to understand its importance. There are many reasons you
should adopt a pet instead of buying, which we would like to discuss in this article. Keep reading
to see why adoption is a much better option than buying.

1. Adopt a pet instead of buying one to save a life
Adopting a pet from a shelter not only saves one life but two. And now you might be asking
yourself whose life you are saving besides your pet’s. Truth be told, you are giving another
animal a second shot at a happy life and the possibility of finding a loving family. Animal shelters
are frequently overcrowded and cannot accommodate all the animals and provide them with the
comfort they need. Therefore, adopting a pet makes a difference by aiding a noble cause and
battling overpopulation.

At the same time, bringing home a pet from a shelter saves your life, too. How? You allow
yourself to experience one of the most extraordinary relationships there are. The appreciation
and devotion of a rescued animal are unique and life-bonding. After bringing a shelter pet into
your home, you will begin wondering who rescued who! So, if you are ready to have a pet, get
your best buddy from a shelter.

2. Make a stand against commercial breeding
Commercial breeding facilities, sometimes known as puppy mills, are an absolute hell for the
animals who end up there. Since they live in cages for their whole lives, animals cannot enjoy
affection, decent nourishment, companionship, or medical treatment. The sole objective of these
facilities is to produce whatever trendy purebred kitten or puppy is currently in demand. Most
animals bred there are then delivered to pet stores or sold online. The less fortunate exemplars
become breeder animals themselves and continue the breeding cycle. Therefore, when you
choose to adopt, you are doing your part to stop commercial breeding.

3. You get a trained pet
A few reasons can explain why even well-trained animals might find themselves in the
unfortunate event of ending up in a shelter. For instance, pets frequently wind up in shelters
because their owners discover they cannot care for them properly. They may also give them up
for several other reasons, such as illness, old age, or lack of finances. However, the good news
is most shelter animals will already know proper behaviors, basic training, and manners. That
implies that if you adopt from an animal shelter or rescue organization, you’ll have an advantage
in training.
Moreover, you can adopt an older shelter animal if you don’t have the time to train a small
puppy or kitten. Then, you can proudly take your new best friend for walks after you find the
right place for you and them in San Francisco. This city has many pet-friendly neighborhoods
where your pet can show off its impeccable manners, so your pet will be delighted if you
relocate here.

4. Adopting is much less expensive
Purebred dogs are costly when purchased from pet stores or professional breeders. Moreover,
rare breed puppies may run you thousands of dollars. As an alternative, adopting pets from a
shelter can help you save a lot of money now and later. When you adopt a pet from a shelter, it
often receives scheduled immunizations and routine health examinations. Furthermore, shelter
animals are often neutered or spayed. Some even come with an ID tag, collar, and microchip.
Given that average adoption costs range in the hundreds, not thousands, this represents a
considerable financial saving.
At the same time, once you walk out the door with a puppy from a pet shop, the transaction is
over. So if you have concerns or issues with your pet, many pet businesses won’t be able to
help you. On the other hand, shelters and rescue organizations have information on the
animal’s past, and volunteers get to know the animal’s personality. That makes adoption much

easier, as shelters and rescues are delighted to assist you during the transitional phase. After
all, they want the animal to go to a happy home.

5. You help others and become an example
When you decide to adopt a pet instead of buying, you are supporting a non-profit organization
that has dedicated a lot of time and resources to care for these creatures. You’ll also pass on a
message to those asking how you got your cute little buddy. You can explain how shelters and
rescues support the spaying and neutering of pets before adoption to reduce the likelihood of
more unwanted animals entering the world. Therefore, they are improving the community and
the lives of these animals. And even if your friends and family can’t adopt a pet, they can
contribute to a worthwhile cause by donating to these non-profit groups or becoming volunteers.

Final words
One of the most rewarding things you can do in your life is to save an animal. You can almost
always find the breed or personality you’re searching for because millions of animals are asking
for a loving home. Therefore, give shelter animals a chance and prioritize adoption. In addition,
help others discover the beauty of being a rescue pet parent by explaining why you should
adopt a pet instead of buying. You can start with the reasons we listed and continue with the
ones you discover after you bring your best friend home.

Meta: Are you thinking of becoming a pet parent? Here are the best reasons you should adopt a
pet instead of buying.

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Winter Safety Tips for Your Dog

Alt-text: A dog outside in the snow during the day.

With the cold weather already here, it’s time to think about the safety of our pets. Indoor animals that
don’t need walks are much easier to care for during this season. But our four-legged best friends require
a bit more attention. Winter weather can be dangerous for dogs, especially if you live in a cold area.
Luckily, a couple of easy winter safety tips for your dog can help them through this season.

Winter safety tips for your dog include buying winter boots
Dogs’ paws are very sensitive to temperatures. During the summer and hot weather, we can protect
them with boots so they can comfortably walk. The winter is the same; high-quality boots can make a
big difference. When you protect your dog’s paws with boots, you protect them from frostbite. Walking
a dog in snowy weather has its disadvantages. One of these is not being able to see the terrain. That can
be a huge problem, as your dog has a high chance of stepping on a sharp rock. With winter boots on,
you can prevent this as well. If you ever forget to put winter boots on your dog, just make sure to
remove any snow from them once you arrive home.

Keep your dog inside

Low temperatures can be extremely dangerous for your pets. Having your dog sleep inside is the best
way to protect them from the cold weather. They will be much more comfortable when they are
spending time inside. Therefore, you will increase their overall happiness levels, too. You can snuggle up
inside with your dog, knowing they are away from all the dangers of winter. Having your dog inside will
help you, too.
Having a pet beside you can help you immensely during challenging times, such as recovering from an
addiction. They can be therapeutic for your recovery and support you through difficult moments. And if
your dog loves spending time in your backyard, there is a solution to this problem. Installing a doggy
door is the best way to achieve the best of both worlds. But, just in case your dog decides to sleep
outside, make sure their house is insulated correctly.
Furthermore, ensure the floor of the dog house isn’t directly touching the ground. Put a small curtain at
the door of the doghouse to keep out the cold air.

These winter safety tips for your dog will help your dog will feel more comfortable during the cold season.

Plan your walks carefully
Going on a walk in winter is much different than in the summer. You need to consider that you will have
to spend less time outside due to the low temperatures. Plan a route that will take the right amount of
time to complete. You can play with your dog at home if your route is too short. This way, they will get

the right amount of exercise without being subjected to low temperatures. Avoid walking in places that
don’t have good visibility. It’s best to avoid walking near rivers or lakes so your dog doesn’t accidentally
fall in during their walk.

Don’t bathe your pet as much
Another way to protect your dog during the winter is to stop bathing them as much. Drying off your
dog’s coat can take much longer during the winter. Therefore, you risk taking your dog outside while its
coat is still wet, making them feel even colder. There is a higher chance of your dog getting
hypothermia, a very dangerous condition, during the winter. Replace regular washing with dry shampoo
for dogs, and comb their coat regularly. With this, they can stay clean until the weather is warm again.

Buy a jacket for your dog
Besides the boots, a jacket can be very useful in protecting your dog during the winter. Some dog breeds
can benefit more from this than others. Smaller dog breeds, such as chihuahuas, must wear jackets
during the low temperatures. All short-haired dog breeds can benefit from a dog jacket during the
winter. Not only will your dog be warmer, but they will also not get wet from all the snow and rain. Best
of all, you can match them with their boots and create a cute outfit for your winter walks!

One of the best winter safety tips for your dog is to invest in a collar with a tag containing helpful information.

Invest in innovative dog accessories
Nowadays, there are so many intelligent accessories for dogs that you can invest in. These can take
winter safety tips for your dog to the next level. Firstly, start by switching to a better collar for your dog.

A dog collar with a light can help a lot. Your dog will be much more easily spotted in the snow by car
drivers and other dog owners. You can add a dog tag with all the necessary information on it. That can
include their name, home address, and phone number. During the winter, your dog has a bigger chance
of running away. Therefore, this step is crucial when it comes to the safety of your dog. We talked about
the importance of dog jackets, but you can upgrade this accessory even more. With a fluorescent jacket,
your dog is even more visible in the dark, snowy evenings.

Fireworks and your dog’s safety
One of the negative sides of winter is the increased use of firecrackers and fireworks. Although they can
be entertaining, our dogs do not appreciate this noise and can react negatively to them. These can cause
massive amounts of stress for dogs. Allow your dog to be inside to protect them from this type of stress.
Cancel out the noise with some soothing music for dogs. Tuck them in for a good night’s sleep, and be
there with them until it stops. They will appreciate having somebody there with them during this time.

To sum up
These winter safety tips for your dog ensure that you and your dog have a comfortable winter season.
When you read your dog and follow our easy advice, you make sure your dog doesn’t suffer from the
cold weather.

Additionally, you will be ready for the stress of the annual fireworks. Your walks will be much safer and
more comfortable for your best friend. Make your walks shorter during the winter. Making these small changes will help your dog immensely.
Ultimately, they will notice and appreciate that you took extra steps to make this season go smoothly
for them.

Meta: Read about the best winter safety tips for your dog to help your best friend go through this
challenging season comfortably.
kw: winter safety tips for your dog

 

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