There are around 7.6 million animals in shelters per year. Also 2.7 million animals in shelters are euthanized. More dogs are taken into the shelter, but more cats are euthanized each year. If this is not reason enough to adopt a shelter animal then here are six reasons why you should adopt and not shop!

1. They are the sweetest animals you can find

My family and I rescued this cute lab eight years ago from Harford County Humane Society and she has been the perfect addition to our life. She was found running with her sister and my Dad found her by fate. Fate is a powerful thing even if it is just getting a dog or cat out of a shelter and giving them a warm house and loving family.

2. Do not be afraid to adopt a older animal

Just because a dog is not a puppy and a cat is not a kitten does not mean that they cannot give you love. An older dog or cat are some of the most loving animals in the world because you got them out of a horrible situation and gave them a warm home. You gave them a family and that is all that they ever wanted in life. The cat above is 11 years old, but does it look like it? No. You can find her here.

3. Do not limit yourself

You might walk into the shelter looking for one type of cat or dog, but that does not mean that you should close your mind off to all other possibilities. There are an array of animals that need a home. So if you cannot find that Labrador mix that you want because all there are are Pit Bulls then why not adopt that cute loving Pit. Pit Bulls do not live up to the stigma that people put out there, they are big babies and one of the best breeds that you can own. Just check out the silly girl pictured above here!

4. You cannot judge them based on how they act in the shelter

Shelters are a scary place. They are full of loud sounds and scary noises. Dogs barking constantly is especially scary to cats who do not like dogs and when they cannot see them. This environment is not friendly and it does not feel like home. It is a scary cage that they do not have free range of. They are confined and they really should not be. Look at the difference in the dog when it was in the shelter and when a loving person took it home. You could be the person to make this same difference.

5. The adoption fee is less than the price for a purebred

The average adoption fee is around 150 dollars, purebred dogs can cost around 500-1,000 dollars. Do I need to say more?

6. Once you adopt one you will catch the bug

In April my family adopted the cat above from Harford County Humane Society. She has been the best addition to our household. Eevee transitioned into our house perfectly and we could not have asked for a better cat to welcome into the environment of our house. My family has decided that we will continue to adopt from shelters across Maryland that need help and to give them a better life because that is what it is all about.

So remember Adopt NOT Shop!