Adopt

Adopt or Shop?

Many people wonder whether to adopt an animal from a rescue or shelter or purchase from a breeder. Adopted dogs and cats make wonderful pets. Many people think that you can only get a well-tempered animal or one with certain traits if you purchase from a breeder. The dogs that come to AARF are evaluated for temperament and suitability as a family pet.

Reasons to Adopt

You change a homeless animal’s whole world
when you give them a safe and loving place to live.

• Each year, 2.7 million unwanted cats and dogs are euthanized in the U.S. You are helping to alleviate the dog and cat overpopulation problem.

• While the cost of daily caring for a dog/cat is the same as getting an animal from a breeder, the initial cost can save you thousands of dollars.

• Spay/neuter is covered with all adoptions which help stem the tide of overpopulation. Many of the animals that end up in shelters are the result of accidental breeding by free-roaming, unaltered pets. The more pets spayed or neutered, the fewer dogs and cats will have to be destroyed.

• All animals are microchipped at the time of adoption.

• You stop mass breeding facilities (puppy mills) when you don’t go to a breeder for a dog and, instead, support rescue organizations.

• You might find an older or special needs animal that is perfect for you and you for them.

• Depending on the age of the animal, they are often socialized, house and crate trained. Some may even know basic etiquette such as sit, down, and stay.

• You save a life by making room for one more animal to be rescued. Shelters are always full.