Adopt, Don’t Shop! It is estimated that about 37-47% of all households in the United States are homes to dogs, and probably more people wish they owned one themselves. To own a dog, you could adopt from a shelter, or buy from a dog breeder. Many people question which option is best. The answer is, adopting. Currently, dog shelters across the U.S. are packed to the brink. There are too many dogs in need of homes, the number is in the millions. Dog breeders on the other hand, breed for money. Adopting shelter dogs is a much better option than buying from a breeder. People should be adopting more, because when you adopt, you save a life. This may sound dramatic, but it's true. Currently there are about 3.9 million dogs entering shelters every year, but 31 percent of those dogs are euthanized. Dogs are killed because shelters need more space for new dogs, and because many dogs are too old to be wanted. According to the ASPCA, about 1.2 million dogs are euthanized every year due to the fact that no one will adopt them. If more people adopt, less dogs will be killed, and more dogs will have a happier life. We have all seen those shelter dog commercials, and immediately feel emotional. These commercials show sad images of puppies and abused dogs. We see them without realizing how real this issue …show more content…
According to helpguide.org, pet dogs reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve your cardiovascular health. When you adopt, you're helping a dog in need, but without realizing it you could be doing yourself a huge favor as well. Certain dog breeds have a different way of helping their owner, but if you're interested in a specific breed, all you have to do is check out websites like The Shelter Pet Project which will show you the exact breed you're looking for. There are endless reasons to choose