50 Adorable Photos Of People Showing The Pets They’ve Adopted (July Edition)

Early this year, Forbes compiled some statistics on pet adoption trends in the United States. It revealed that of the 6.3 million animals that enter shelters annually, only 4.1 million are adopted. 

One possible reason is that shelters don’t have as many purebred options, which may drive away adopters looking for specific breeds. According to the article, only 25% of shelter dogs are purebred.

Here’s a grim statistic: animal shelters euthanize 920,000 animals each year. That’s around 390,000 dogs and 530,000 cats. However, it is important to note that the number of euthanized animals significantly decreased from 13 years ago when more than two and a half million animals would be killed in shelters. 

Forbes’ statistics also show that people prefer adopting adult dogs, which could make training more challenging. This is why experts like Mika Ito of Animal Haven advise stocking up on treats. 

As she told New York Magazine, positive reinforcement is a helpful approach they practice at their shelter. They follow the ethos of “ignore the bad, reward the good.”

Illnesses could be another issue among adult dogs, meaning more medical bills. As a pet owner, you’d want to avoid this, especially if you’re on a tight budget. 

To prevent such problems from arising, animal behavior specialist and TV personality Eric Wiese urges prioritizing a visit to the veterinarian. As he told Country Living, it would help to immediately get them up to date on all vaccines. You can also consider pet insurance to help curb extra costs.

As mentioned in our intro, adopting a pet means taking responsibility for another life. This may require your added attention, especially since you’re dealing with a new pet thrust into an entirely different environment. 

Wiese says adopters may need to adjust their schedule to allow them to provide proper care. The more time you spend, the easier it will be to develop a strong bond with them.

Now, we would like to hear from pet adopters. What are your best tips for those planning to do it for the first time? Is there anything they should know that isn’t often discussed? Comment below!