9 Reasons You Should Definitely Adopt a Pet
August 26th is National Dog Day and a great excuse for making a trip to your local pet adoption center, humane society, or shelter to bring home a furry friend. If the idea of slobbery kisses, a lifelong companion, or a personal cuddle buddy doesn’t win you over, here are a few more reasons why adopting a pet is the best decision you’ll ever make.
1. PETS HAVE THEIR PERKS WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEALTH
Studies have shown that simply petting a dog can decrease your heart rate and blood pressure, which lowers overall stress. Not to mention, kids who grow up in a household with a pet are less at risk of developing asthma and allergies.
Simply petting a dog has its health benefits (Grisha Bruev / Shutterstock.com)
2. A PET WILL LOVE YOU UNCONDITIONALLY
Let’s be honest. Your pet isn’t going to love you any less if you’re having a bad hair day or even if you spent your weekend on the couch watching Storage Wars with a tub of Ben & Jerry’s. Not to worry, your cat, dog, bird, lizard or hamster will still love you, no matter what.
It doesn’t matter who you are or what you look like – your pet will always love you (Alena Haurylik / Shutterstock.com)
3. ADOPTING A PET IS EASY ON YOUR WALLET
Most pets from shelters and rescues are already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and even trained! These expenses are covered by a relatively low adoption fee – significantly less than the price you’d pay at the vet clinic or if you buy a pet from a breeder.
Many pets from shelters have already been trained (Christian Mueller / Shutterstock.com)
4. ADOPTING A PET MEANS SAVING A LIFE
Each year, approximately 2.7 million animals are euthanized. This is usually because of too many pets being brought to shelters and not enough people to adopt them. By adopting a pet, you’re freeing up space in shelters and potentially saving a life.
Adopting a pet means more space in shelters (SOMMAI / Shutterstock)
5. PETS KEEP YOU ACTIVE
A National Institute of Health study found that dogs play an important role in the physical activity of their owners. Dog owners completed significantly more minutes and sessions of walking, compared to people without dogs. If walking or running isn’t your thing, you can consider bringing your dog along on a bike ride, while rollerblading, or even for a swim.
Dog owners have been shown to walk more than people without dogs (halfpoint / Shutterstock)
6. PETS BRING JOY AND FULFILLMENT
Caring for a pet can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment, as well as a feeling of pride for helping an animal in need. Science has also spoken on this matter: like any other enjoyable activity, playing with your pet releases the feel-good hormones, serotonin and dopamine.
It’s scientificallly proven that having a pet makes you happier (shift Drive / Shutterstock)
7. BY ADOPTING A PET, YOU’RE GIVING AN ANIMAL A SECOND CHANCE
Many pets in shelters or rescues have been abused or neglected by their previous owners. Everyone deserves a second chance, and that goes for animals too. By taking in a pet into your home, you’re giving that animal another go at the life they deserve to have.
All animals deserve a chance at a happy life (Kopelev / Shutterstcock.com)
8. PETS BOOST YOUR SOCIAL LIFE
We’ve all been that person that stops someone on the street to ogle at their dog. This phenomenon is actually backed by research that shows that having a pet decreases social isolation and leads to more conversation and social connections.
Pets bring people together and start conversations (Syda Productions / Shutterstock.com)
