Adopting a pet has so many benefits. A pet adoption may be just the thing you need and fights depression/loneliness. There are a number of ways to adopt a new cat or dog, however, but although they are similar in process, they also differ greatly. You can adopt a canine or feline from a friend or neighbor, from a breeder, or from a shelter. You can also adopt a pet from a pet store, or you can also answer an ad in the local paper.

When it comes to adopting your pet, it’s always best to adopt from a shelter over a breeder for a number of reasons:

1. Breeding is a business
First off, when you adopt your pet from a breeder, you have to expect that they are simply breeding animals for a living. It is a job and a business to them and depending on et breeder, they may not really care about the animals they are erasing at all. There are some, though, who really do love what they do and take good care of their animals and they are the ones to support, but it will come with a price either way. Breeders typically breed specific breeds of dogs or sometimes cats, and you can be looking at paying anywhere from $500 to $1500 for each puppy which isn’t cheap.

2. Shelter pets are usually housebroken
When you buy from a breeder, you will most likely have to potty train your new family member and teach them not to chew on your favorite pair of shoes. You may even need to invest in some puppy training. When you adopt from a shelter, you have more choice, and you can pick a pet that is already trained, so you don’t have to worry about it or sacrifice the sofa because you need friend loves to chew.

3. Cost
You will also need to shell out a substantial amount of money to get your pet vaccinated and especially in the first year which can really add up. A shelter will typically handle all of the vaccinations and sometimes the neutering or spaying as well included in the adoption fee.

4. Reduces loneliness for you and the animal
When you are adopting from a shelter, you are rescuing an animal from an uncertain future and giving them a second chance for a loving home. You are bringing in a possibly saddened and depressed animal and turning their whole life around for the better and what’s better than that? Adoption fights depression/loneliness for not only you but your pet.

5. Get to know your new pet
When you go to a shelter, you have much more variety to choose from, and you can even visit a shelter over the course of weeks and walk different dogs and spend time with a number of different pets until you find “the one.” A shelter will often give you a probation period where if you are finding that the pet you brought home is just not a good fit for your lifestyle or family, you can bring it back. The shelter wants to makes sure that everyone is happy in the end.