Take Action in Compassion: Why Animal Adoption is Beneficial

Every year, millions of animals find themselves in shelters, waiting for a second chance at life. While some are lucky enough to be adopted, many are overlooked while looking for a family to call their own. 

Adopting a pet isn't just about bringing home a furry companion – it's about saving a life, supporting ethical treatment, and making a positive impact on the world. Choosing adoption over purchasing from breeders or pet stores helps reduce overpopulation, gives abandoned animals the love they deserve, and even strengthens the bond between humans and their pets in ways that are deeply rewarding. 

So why should you consider animal adoption? The answer might be more convincing than you think.

Provide a Second Chance

Every shelter animal has experienced abandonment, abuse, or a lack of affection. By giving them a new home, you provide the care and love they deserve. This also provides a second chance for animals who are lined up for euthanasia. Adoption isn't always an easy decision, but fostering an animal provides a great alternative for those seeking short-term care. Instead of spending their days contained in a cage – which is extremely stressful for them – while waiting for a new owner, animals receive the care and love they truly deserve. 

Prevent Mass Breeding

Mass-breeding facilities, often referred to as puppy and kitten mills, contribute to overpopulation by continuously impregnating female animals, who spend their entire lives confined in cages without human companionship. As a result, millions of dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens are euthanized due to the lack of available homes. The more people who choose to adopt from shelters, the less support is given to these cruel practices.

Benefits With Financial Savings 

Choosing to adopt a pet from a shelter is usually more budget-friendly than buying from a breeder or pet store. Adoption fees cover essential services like spay/neuter procedures, vaccinations, and microchipping, all at a much lower cost compared to the expense of the purchase and initial vet charges from other sources. Adult pets are often already house trained, which helps reduce expenses on outdoor training – especially since puppies and kittens require a great deal of time and patience. 

Studies suggest that purebred animals are at a higher risk for genetic health issues compared to mixed breeds, which often enjoy greater overall resilience. Mixed-breed pets, commonly found in shelters, tend to have fewer health issues, leading to lower veterinary costs and longer lifespans. Choosing a shelter pet can mean welcoming a healthier companion. 

The Statistics Say It All (Soanca, A., 2025) US Animal Shelter Facts and Statistics 2025. 

• 6.3 million pets enter U.S. shelters annually (3.1 million dogs, 3.2 million cats).

• 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized annually (390,000 dogs, 530,000 cats), down from 2.6 million in 2011.

• 4.1 million shelter animals are adopted each year, evenly split between dogs (2 million) and cats (2.1 million).

• 710,000 stray animals are reunited with their owners annually, including 620,000 dogs and just 90,000 cats.

• There are 70 million stray animals in the U.S., yet only 6 million make it to shelters.

• 52% of U.S. shelters are no-kill, up from just 24% in 2016.

• Cats are twice as likely to be euthanized as dogs in shelters due to their unsocialized or feral nature.

• Delaware is the first and only no-kill state, achieving a 92.9% save rate in 2019.

New Jersey Animal Shelter Recommendations

• Eleventh Hour Rescue - Eleventh Hour Rescue | Morris County NJ

• OSCAR - One Step Closer Animal Rescue (O.S.C.A.R.), a non-profit rescue in Sparta, NJ

• St. Hubert's - St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center

Madisyn’s Adopting Story

Staci Rojas has been the greatest blessing for my family. Ever since I was a child, I longed for a dog of my own. In the summer of 2017, we began searching for the perfect furry companion – one that was both trained and mature, while also giving us the opportunity to change a life by providing a safe and loving home. From the moment we saw Staci’s picture and biography, we knew it was meant to be. Eleventh Hour Rescue in Morris County approved our adoption on August 27th, and while it took her a little time to fully warm up to us, she eventually became an affectionate dog who adores both people and other animals. Now at 11 years old, Staci proudly serves as a certified emotional support animal.

Staci’s Adoption Story

We can never truly know the full story of Staci’s life before adoption, but any version told will make your heart melt. She was discovered by Eleventh Hour Rescue in North Carolina, wandering the streets and dangerously close to starvation. At just two years old, she weighed only 10 pounds – far below a healthy weight for a medium-sized dog. The rescue organization told us that had she gone another day or two without help, she likely wouldn’t have survived. 

A closer examination revealed she had recently given birth and had a few scars, leading to the heartbreaking possibility that she could have been forced out of her home by dog breeders when she was no longer needed. She was relocated to a foster home for about a year. Upon our adoption of her, Staci traveled by truck from North Carolina to New Jersey. 

At three years old, she became a part of our family, but she initially struggled with trust. Over time, she grew more confident, eventually finding the courage to approach others and share her affectionate, playful spirit. 

Adopt. Don’t shop.