Perhaps one of the biggest things you can do is adopt from your local shelter versus buying an animal from a breeder or pet store. Your local shelter has almost any breed of dog or cat, from puppies and kittens to seniors. Adopting from a shelter is responsible and rewarding. There are lots of good reasons for adopting from your local shelter, not the least of which is that the animals there need you the most.

This is primarily due to the owner's failure to neuter or spay their own pets, along with people's demand for purebred dogs or cats. Too often, people see pets as "disposable" by taking them to the shelter - as if they are returning a shirt that they didn't like. Others take pets or entire litters to the shelter under the fantasy that they will always be adopted. Newly separated kittens and puppies suffer most as they are also searching for their mother.

Mixed breed dogs are now being used as service dogs, as well as in law enforcement. Mutts are just as trainable, and you probably won't have to deal with the personality quirks of some types of purebred. For example, some purebreds are high-strung and disease-prone, but mixed bloodlines usually mellow the animal. If you are still set on a purebred animal, you will probably be able to find one at a shelter at a bargain. Adopting a shelter pet is much less costly than buying from a breeder and includes spaying or neutering and age appropriate vaccination. Try a "mutt" - you will love him!!!

Contrary to popular belief, shelter pets are not behavioral cases or training "failures."

Although a number of people list "behavioral problems" as the reason for giving up a pet, the true problem is almost always the owner's lack of attention, training, and care. Some think an animal can housebreak itself or are surprised to find out they must put effort into training a pet. Many people obtain a pet on a whim or spur of the moment without thinking about what it takes to care for it. For instance, they may work long hours or travel frequently, leaving their pet alone constantly and then wonder why (out of boredom) it has chewed, dug holes, or found similar ways to pass the time. Also, some people think training involves hitting, kicking, and yelling. Since the animal is too terrified to think, much less learn, that person calls him "un-trainable." Remember, there are no bad animals, but there are plenty of animals that are victims of bad pet owners. Your adopted pet can learn basic obedience very well with some care and patience, and love.

Tip: If a dog or cat seems uninterested or afraid in the cage or kennel at your shelter, don't rule him out. They may just be disoriented or lonely. Spend some time picking your pet, and consider every animal there.

In general, adult pets are easier to live with. Not only do you have an instant companion you can take with you on walks and drives, but you eliminate the baby stage. A small puppy needs hours of housebreaking training and frequent walks because of their small bladders, but they still have accidents in the house. A puppy or kitten also may cry a great deal at night because he misses his mother and litter mates. While a puppy is teething, he'll probably chew on everything in sight. Also, a puppy can grow up to be bigger than you thought he'd be, or more aggressive or hyper than you like.

An adult dog won't change much from what you see in the shelter. Adult cats are more independent, litter trained or housebroken, and still playful and affectionate! It's not uncommon to adopt an adult pet and find that not only is he trained, but he might also have a few tricks up his sleeve!

Purebreds can cost up to $1000 just to purchase. A shelter pet will only set you back around $100 and that will include spay/neuter, appropriate vaccinations and the good feeling of knowing you’ve saved a life.

This is how adopting from a shelter helps stop the vicious cycle: Our shelter requires that your animal leaves neutered or spayed, which prevents the cat or dog population from further expanding. Thus, fewer animals will starve or go cold & hungry. Pedigreed pets are wonderful, but encouraging breeders to produce more litters for sale only adds to the problem. If you buy a purebred, the animal you would have taken home from the shelter may not find a home. You would have loved and cherished that shelter pet just as much as a purebred. If you want a pet, help reduce the homeless pet population, and adopt it from the shelter!