Everyone needs a little furry friend in their life. It may take some people months to find the right dog for them, but when you do, it’s like love at first sight, something that was meant to be. One thing a lot of people forget about is a breeder and stores like Petco aren’t the only places you can get dogs; you can adopt. Here are five reasons why adopting a dog is better than other alternatives.

1. You are saving a life- At shelters, there are dogs ranging from young to old. Dogs that were either left behind by their owners or were missing and never found. These dogs all need a second chance at having a good life. Over 2.7 million animals are euthanized each year at shelters when no one adopts them. 1.2 million of them are dogs. So if you’re a little wary about adoption, just give it a try, because you will truly be saving a dog’s life.

2. Great Bargain- Now I know bargain probably isn’t the right word to explain this, but on an average, a dog from a store or a breeder can range from $700-$1500, depending on the breed. When adopting a dog, the cost ranges from $200-500, which typically includes them being up to date on all of their shots and also being spayed/neutered. That’s an amazing price, considering what you’re getting, and makes it that much easier to adopt a dog, because some can’t afford $700+ dollars.

3. Bragging Rights- Once you adopt a dog from a shelter, you automatically can brag all you want on how awesome your new baby is. It’s kind of like when parents have their first child and all they do is post pictures of them on Facebook. Well, now you can too. Show all of your friends your new furry friend and remind them of how awesome you are for opening your heart and home to a dog in need.

4. Fighting Against Puppy Mills- If you have never heard of a puppy mill, it’s basically a breeding facility or “factory." These people take certain breeds of dogs and almost force them to procreate with another dog. Many believe as I do that puppy mills are inhumane and shouldn’t be running. The amount of money they make is way more important to them than the health of the dogs. That is also where pet stores get their eight-week-old puppies. There are an estimated 10,000 puppy mills in the United States. Organizations like ASPCA are working to put an end to puppy mills, and you can too by adopting instead of feeding them their business.

5. 10 Times More Cuddles- Usually, a dog that is resident of a shelter does in fact get daily love and care, but not the kind that a family can give. These dogs are going to be over the moon happy to be home, finally. So be prepared for a lot of cuddles from your new furry friend.