Last week was National Puppy Day and throughout the year are other days to spoil your cats, dogs and other pets. And we bet you have a great story about how you found, chose or were chosen by your pet. Americans love their pets with 70% of U.S. households owning a pet.
You may have noticed that here at Bridgewaters, we love pets and often tag one of our favorite shelters on Facebook – Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA). We are strong supporters of pet adoption and hope that you are too. In fact, if you have adopted a pet since the beginning of the year, please bring in your adoption papers and you’ll receive a complimentary pet tag which can be engraved.
So why do we feel so strongly about adoption? Here are just a few reasons:
- Adoption saves the life of a pet and is a step towards shutting down puppy and kitten mills by reducing their sales.
- You get to pick from a good variety of animals that are available. Maybe an adult pet suits you better or maybe you are looking to help a senior pet live out their life happily. Shelters often have much bigger variety of animals from which to choose than places selling animals.
- Shelters offer support in many ways. Your pet has a history with the shelter and they can provide insight on their temperament and behaviors. Many, like BVSPCA, also offer other services like low-cost vet clinics, pet food pantries, medical grants, and free behavior counseling.
- The cost to adopt is significantly lower than buying. Most adoption fees range from $50 to $500 depending on the age, size, breed, behavior, medical condition, and public demand of the animal.
So if you are thinking about adding a new pet to your family, check out your local shelter! And don’t forget to bring your adoption papers to Bridgewaters for a complimentary pet tag which can be engraved!