Every year, 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States. This number could decrease dramatically if more people decided to adopt their pets rather than buying them from local pet stores.

Taking in a loving animal not only saves their life but opens up room in the shelters for more animals who may need it. Shelters are full of happy, healthy pets. Most only end up there because of family issues like moving or divorces, not because they did anything wrong. Also, the majority of pets at shelters are already housetrained and used to living with families although some may not like being around young children or other pets which are very important to remember when adopting as well.

When adopting a pet the cost of spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping, etcetera may be included in the adoption price which makes the total cost much cheaper than buying from a pet store, online site, or a breeder. If buying a dog from any of those places it’s likely to have come from a puppy mill. Puppy mills are breeding facilities whose top priority is usually profit rather than the well-being of the dogs. Most animals held at puppy mills are likely housed in poor conditions and are more prone to getting sick and having behavior issues later on due to the lack of care they get. After the breeding dogs are no longer able to be used they are killed, abandoned, or sold at auctions.

By choosing to adopt just one of these 2.7 million pets you can help spread a little bit of lightness in this dark world. 

Southwest Human Society

Location

1100 NE 192nd Ave
Vancouver, WA 98684

Hours

Tuesday – Sunday, Noon – 6 pm
*Closed Mondays

Phone

Main: 360-693-4746

Adoptions: 360-693-4746
Admissions: 360-213-2621
Lost and Found: 360-213-2621
Donate: 360-213-2617