If you’ve enjoyed the experience of adopting your pet from a shelter, you are already aware of all the benefits of adopting a pet! But for those of you who are thinking about getting a pet but hesitant to consider adopting from a shelter, we want to share some helpful information. Many people shopping for pets often have a misconception that if they adopt a pet from a shelter or pound, they’re getting a broken dog or cat. Many people often think “That pet must have issues or have been a problem in a home environment… that’s why they are at the shelter.” We want to help set the record straight about pets at shelters, and that information is NOT true at all!
Most shelter pets are victims of bad situations or unfortunate circumstances. Often, a pet will be found as a stray but their family wasn’t able to locate them and be reunited. Or they were surrendered to a shelter because the family couldn’t afford to care for the dog or cat, something becoming more common during these uncertain times with increased financial pressures within our community. Other times, an owner may have passed away with no immediate family members nearby to continue caring for the pet. Unfortunately, most pets at shelters just fell into an unlucky situation and deserve a second chance in a new home.
When you adopt an animal from a shelter you’re actually saving two lives… the life of the animal that you adopted, and the life of the animal that will soon arrive and take its place. There are so many amazing animals waiting for loving and caring homes. By adopting from a shelter, you are providing an animal with the second chance they deserve. In addition, our local Orange County shelters will microchip, spay/neuter, and vaccinate the animals that come into their care. This saves you a lot of money because you don’t have to pay for the procedures yourself, plus it ensures the pet you are taking home is healthy and will live a longer life.
That’s right, studies have shown people with pets in the home live longer. They also experience less depression, stress, and anxiety compared to similar people that don’t own a pet. Just the act of petting an animal has shown to reduce blood pressure and stress levels, making you feel more calm and relaxed. Plus, walking your pet not only provides you with exercise, it also helps those who suffer from anxiety and depression by giving them a reason to leave the house. Ever wonder why you always see a smile on the face of someone walking their dog(s)… Well now you know! The animal you helped by providing it a home is now helping you.
When you can’t adopt but are able and willing to open your heart and home for a pet in dire need please feel welcome and invited to enjoy this special journey with the dogs currently in our Orange County shelters. OC Shelter Pets is always searching for more loving and responsible foster homes that share a similar passion for helping animals in need within our community.
In order to help both the senior people and the homeless senior pets of our community, the Irvine Animal Care Center’s Seniors Helping Seniors program waives adoption fees for individuals age 62 and older when they adopt a senior animal....
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Rehoming your pet should be easy and stress free both for you and your pet. Our experts at Adopt-a-Pet.com, the largest non-profit pet adoption website, with support from The Petco Foundation, have created a simple, reliable, free program to help...
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DID YOU FIND KITTENS? Follow these steps so that everyone is a winner! WAIT! Don’t move the kittens just yet! If the kittens are in a safe location it’s very possible that mom is out looking for food or hiding nearby watching over them....
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