By: Ashley Davis
Pets are like family members. They are a part of your everyday life making it essential to make sure any pet you pick is a good fit for you and your home. This can be a time-consuming process and can take a while before making the final decisions. Having to buy supplies and meeting an animal that fits your lifestyle and energy is a big part. But while you’re looking for your future companion, hundreds of pets are waiting for their forever homes.
In Michigan alone, roughly 131,000 pets were in shelters waiting to be adopted. Many shelters have puppies and kittens, purebred breeds, mixed breeds, and even pocket pets or small animals. There is a variety of animals to choose from that will fit any lifestyle based on activity levels. While many people buy from breeders, the same qualities from those animals can be found in shelter animals. In fact, they give the same love and are cheaper to adopt in comparison.
Even better, it gives these poor babies a second chance at a home. Most shelter animals stay in pens or cages all day with minimum walks and minimum human contact. They are scared and want a place to go home to. On average, buying from a reputable pet breeder will range from between $500 to $5000 and doesn’t normally include vaccinations, first vet visits or neutering. Adopting from a shelter normally ranges from between $50 to $300 and includes vaccinations, certification of health and neutering all taken care of , cutting expenses in half giving more money and time to enjoy with your pet.
In East Lansing alone, there are quite a few organizations that help with animals in need of homes such as Capital Area Humane Society, Happy Feet Pet Rescue and Save by Zade. These are some of the many organizations that adopt out these animals. At Capital Area Humane Society, there are at least 50 cats and dogs on their website waiting for a future home at any given time.
Unfortunately, pets cannot wait forever at these shelters, by adopting you are freeing up space at these shelters and making room for the next animals that need help. So what are you waiting for? Visit your local shelter today! You may be surprised by the animals you find there and one of them might just be your new family member. If you cannot commit to long-term adoption, there are still many ways to help such as considering fostering or even volunteering at shelters. If you are interested and want to learn more, consider stopping by one of these shelters: Capital Area Humane Society, Happy Feet Pet Rescue, and Save by Zade.
Ashley is a senior studying English literature and a minor of business who enjoys being with family and friends on the holidays.