Right now, there are about 7.6 million animals in shelters in the United States. Every year about 2.7 of those animals are euthanized (ASPCA). I’ll be honest, there’s just no realistic way to completely control animal reproduction and the amount of animals in shelters in the world because, well, they’re animals. There is a way to lower this number though, and it’s the easiest solution ever: adopt your animals. I am not saying that purebred animals and breeders don’t need love too, because they do. But think about it: what is the ACTUAL reason that you need a purebred animal? Is it because you ACTUALLY need one, or because you just want one? Go to a shelter, you might be surprised. Here’s a few reasons why you should adopt:

1. About 25 percent of animals in shelters are purebred

That’s right folks, people suck and sometimes go to a breeder, get an animal, and decide they made the wrong decision. The purebred animal that someone so desperately wanted is now sitting in a shelter with no family because someone couldn’t commit.

2. Mixed breeds can sometimes be smarter, and better looking than a purebred

Have you ever seen a Husky mixed with a German Shepherd? A Beagle mixed with Basset? No? Google it, you won’t regret it. Mixed breed animals are amazing, and they need love just like a purebred animal.

3. People’s pets run away sometimes, and it is heart breaking

An animals’ instinct is to roam- and sometimes they roam too far and get lost. They end up in a shelter. They are scared, alone, and let’s not even mention how incredibly hard it is to lose an animal as its owner. Think about how the animal feels, and how the human feels. Adopting these animals can give them a life they deserve, and even though the owner may not know you- it’s easier to think about your animal in a new home than sitting in a shelter waiting to be euthanized.

4. Your best friend could be waiting there for you

My family recently adopted two dogs. My parents are super picky- dad said he didn’t want any more animals, mom couldn’t make up her mind about what kind she wanted (“This one sheds too much, this one will get back problems, this one will have too much energy”). Then my friend decided to foster a puppy- a Beagle Sheltie mix. I decided to go play with her one day and I fell completely in love. I called my mom, sent a few photos, and that was it. I brought her home and now she’s a part of my family. She has a lot of energy, she sheds all over the place, but we love her more than anything.

5. Animals get sick, and if they are with you they can be saved

After we got our first puppy (Luna), we decided to adopt another. A friend of mine found her dumped over a fence in Stephenville. After I spoke with my mother, we decided to bring her home. When I got her, she was covered in fleas and we spent over an hour picking them all off. When I finally brought her to my parents we soon found out that she had parvovirus. If you don’t know, this kills dogs more often than not. She was so sick, and we thought for several days that she might die. But we already fell in love, so we took her for treatment day after day, lo and behold- she survived. It was a long road, but she made it. All I could think about the whole time was this: what if she’d been alone? She would have died. We saved her life.

Think about these things before you go to a breeder! Think about whether you’re ready for an animal, and think about all the animals that were dumped because someone wasn’t ready. If you do decide you’re ready, go visit your local shelters! Your new best friend could be sitting just behind one of those gates, waiting to be loved. Adopt an animal, save a life.