Pet Adoption

Animal shelters are the first place to look when you are thinking of adding a pet to your family. Not only do they have a great selection of adult animals for adoption, but many of them also have kittens, puppies and purebred animals.

Reasons to adopt or rescue a pet

You'll save a life

Sadly, between 3 and 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year in the United States simply because too many people give up their pets and too few people adopt from shelters. Because there is limited space at shelters, staff members sometimes need to make very hard decisions to euthanize animals who haven't been adopted. But the number of euthanized animals could be reduced dramatically if more people adopted pets instead of buying them. By adopting from a private humane society or animal shelter, breed rescue group, or the local animal control agency, you'll help save the lives of two animals -- the pet you adopt and a homeless animal somewhere who can be rescued because of space you helped free up.

You'll save money

Adopting a pet from an animal shelter is much less expensive than buying a pet or even getting one free thanks to the services provided by the shelter or rescue group. Because animals from most groups are already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, de-wormed and often bathed and treated for fleas, the adoption fee is a real bargain

You'll feel better

Pets have a way of putting a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Not only do animals give you unconditional love, but they have been shown to be psychologically, emotionally, and physically beneficial. Caring for a companion animal can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment and lessen feelings of loneliness and isolation in all age groups.

You'll get a healthy pet

Animal shelters are brimming with happy, healthy animals just waiting for someone to take them home. Most shelters examine and give vaccinations to animals when they arrive, and many spay or neuter them before being adopted. In addition to medical care, more and more shelters also screen animals for specific temperaments and behaviors to make sure each family finds the right pet for its lifestyle.

These are just a few reasons, you may check out the links below for more information on where to find pets that are in need of homes.

Blue Ridge Humane Society www.blueridgehumane.org/

Alcovy Pet Resuce www.alcovypet.com

Phoenix Rising Border Collie Rescue www.prbcr.org/

American Kennel Club Rescue Network www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm

Anderson County Humane Society www.achsonline.com/

Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue http://blueridgeboxerrescue.com/

Boykin Spaniel Rescue www.boykinrescue.org/bsr/

Carolina Poodle Rescue www.carolinapoodlerescue.org/

Colbert Veterinary Rescue www.colbertvetrescue.org/

Dachshund Rescue of North Amer. www.drna.org/

Dalmatian Rescue of Virginia www.drswv.com/