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Every holiday season, Americans are flooded with those picture-perfect images of puppies in bows and kittens spilling out of stockings, so it's no wonder so many families bring a new pet home for Christmas.
And in a year that's been like no other, with the end of 2020 finally in sight, more people than ever are eager to welcome the grounding, calming company of an animal into their lives.
What far fewer people stop to consider is that where that pet comes from can make or break the effort to end the killing of shelter animals across the country.
Best Friends Animal Society is urging families and individuals thinking about a new furry family member this season to choose adoption—opening their home to a homeless pet from a shelter or rescue—rather than buying from a breeder, pet store, or online seller.
Adopting a shelter pet means your money stays out of the hands of backyard breeders and the inhumane puppy-mill industry that churns out millions of pups every year to stock pet stores and e-commerce sites.
'Adoption literally saves lives and fits perfectly with the growing trend toward making socially responsible holiday choices,' said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. 'And this year, it's more important than ever to consider and appreciate what pets give back to us in return.'
An astonishing army of COVID cats and pandemic pups have been adopted from shelters and rescues since the virus upended our lives nine months ago. According to the shelter-data platforms Shelter Animals Count and PetPoint—which gather intake and outcome numbers from thousands of shelters nationwide—close to a million pets have been adopted over the last eight months, and roughly 50,000 more are currently living in foster homes.
'This is an ideal opportunity to adopt because pets are just good for us,' Castle said. 'Numerous studies have revealed that the presence of pets is beneficial for our physical and mental health. The companionship of animals has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety, helping people feel calmer and more secure during difficult times.'
Adoption is also a smart investment. Adoption fees generally cover the pet's spay/neuter surgery, a health exam, vaccinations, a microchip ID, and often a handful of free starter goodies that vary from group to group.
'One thing people often don't realize is the quality and variety of animals available through shelters and rescue groups,' Castle said. 'Across the country there are always amazing purebreds, mixed-breed dogs, cats, puppies and kittens of all ages, types and sizes looking for homes. Even trendy designer dogs find themselves in need of rehoming when their owners face situations like job loss, divorce or housing issues.'
Would-be adopters can also browse petfinder.com to see the adorable adoptable animals waiting for homes nearby, regionally, and even nationally. While available pets can seem scarce in some areas, right now there are nearly 62,000 dogs and puppies and 94,000 cats and kittens listed on petfinder.com. Potential adopters can also visit our website to find links to adopt from Best Friends, or from one of our more than 3,100 Network Partners across the country.
Although research shows pets received as gifts aren't necessarily loved less than those adopted the traditional way, there are far better alternatives than surprising another adult or family with a pet.
Choosing a pet is deeply personal—personalities vary even within a breed, and you also have age, gender, energy level, coat length, and more to weigh. That's why it's best to let the adopter pick the animal that fits their own family and lifestyle.
That's why Best Friends recommends buying an adoption gift certificate from a shelter or rescue—rather than an actual pet—so the recipient can make the call themselves. To make the gift twice as sweet (and much more substantial), you can put together a basket of pet supplies, toys, and treats to go along with the certificate.
And now that virtually all adoptions happen online, prospective adopters can meet pets virtually and hold meet-and-greet video chats with the dog or cat and their foster family to learn even more about how the animal behaves at home. Seeing a potential pet lounging on a couch rather than pacing a kennel gives adopters a fresh way to experience that lightning-bolt moment when they know they've found the right new member of the family.
When it's finally time to bring a new pet home, few people would argue that adopted animals reward their people with a depth of unconditional love that pets from other sources rarely rival. They seem to know they've been given a second chance—and they spend the rest of their lives paying it back.
Every year, millions of people add a new pet to their families, so this season, help bring some holiday cheer to a homeless animal by adopting your newest companion. In return, they promise to bring much-needed joy to your 2021.
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