It's time to find your new best friend! Where should you look? There are about 7.8 million potential companions that enter shelters national wide. About each year 2.8 animals are euthanize because they can not find a fur-ever home. Help stop the cycle and save a life when you decide to find a new pet.

1. It's cheaper!

Buying a fur-ever friend from a private buyer can cost hundreds or sometimes thousands of dollars. This usually doesn't include vet check ups, first shots, or spayed and neutering. Animal shelters often require a small adoption fee that includes at least your new buddy's first check up. When I adopted my cat, I spent 40 dollars. That included his first round of shots, deworming and he was thoroughly checked for feline leukemia. Animal shelters are painfully aware of overpopulation so, I even received a 20 percent coupon to get him neutered. I soon took my happy and healthy baby home; he is easily the best 40 dollars I have ever spent.

2. It's a way to fight against puppy mills.

Puppy mills are mass breeding facilities to produce puppies for sale. They are notoriously dirty, unhealthy, over populated, and very cruel. Female dogs sometimes live their entire life in these incredibly unhealthy environment to produce babies. When they can no longer reproduce they are killed. These animals receive low grade food and little to none veterinarian care. You can help stop the mass production of puppies by adopting your new pet from your local animal shelter, this cuts down the demand of pure breed dogs.

3. Adoption helps decrease overpopulation.

Animal shelters have been dealing with overpopulation for decades. There are too may animals and not enough homes. When adopting the animal shelter often requires you to get your pet spayed or neutered. This 100 percent effected birth control will help cut down animal population and we will have less homeless animals in our streets and shelters.

4. You can find a better fit for your personality.

When adopting an older animal they usually come trained and know basic commands. Most older dogs are already potty-trained and in the long run will save you more energy than training a puppy. Before walking out the door you already have a basic understanding on the dogs personality. If you want a new friend to take on hikes, I am sure you can find an out door friendly dog that would be over the moon to go out with you. If you are looking for a new buddy to cuddle and watch television, you will know if they are a good fit before walking out the door. Older animals need love too, and will probably be more grateful that you save them rather than buying a new pet.

5. You'll save a life.

Shelters are overpopulated and need to make room for new dogs; 2.7 million adoptable pets are euthanize each year in the United States. This is because there are too many pets that come into shelters. The number of euthanize animals can be reduced if more people adopted pets instead of buying. When adopting you will save your pets life and open a spot for a new animal who needs it. You should adopt and not shop for a fur-ever friend, your new pet will thank you for it.