There are so many great reasons why adopting a pet is better than buying one. Unfortunately, it is still uncommon to adopt a rescued dog or cat.

If people understood all the amazing benefits of adopting animals, they would not buy a pet again.

For one, you will be saving a life (or two). Animals that live in shelters usually have shorter life spans, mainly because of the hard lives they endured before being rescued and their limited access to food or medical attention.

Nothing beats some TLC from a loving family to nurse a pet back to health.

Take Kino, an abandoned male Chihuahua who was adopted with almost no fur by pet lover Susan and her family. Less than two months later he turned out to be a mixed Maltese with a gorgeous coat.

Or Ruby, a very shy and reserved mixed breed dog, who after only a few months of living with Parvita Siregar and her other rescue dog, transformed into a playful, affectionate and happy pet.

As spaces in shelters are very limited, most will not accept new strays until an animal gets adopted. So when you adopt, you actually save two lives — the one you adopt and the one that takes its spot.

Another reason is because they will give back your love tenfold.

“Of course they recognize that you have saved them from a terrible fate by giving them a second chance,” confirmed Liberina from the Pondok Pengayom Satwa (PPS) animal shelter in Jakarta.

“They just need a bit of your patience to adapt and adjust to their new life with you. Once they do, they will be eager to please you and love you more than their own life.”

Susan and her family, who adopted Crabby, an old and abused golden retriever, as well as the abandoned Chihuahua said: “Both of our adopted dogs give us so much love. We are always reminded by how much they fill up our lives and how empty our house is or was without them.”

Through adoption, you can find a perfect fit. Most shelters will help you find a pet that suits you, your family and your environment. It is very important that you find a shelter that offers this service for it could mean a sustainable relationship between you and your pet.

“The process is quite simple,” said Justina from Republik Guguk shelter.

“Besides the usual procedure of filling out a form or phone interviews and house visits, most shelters also allow a trial period where you can return the dog or cat if they don’t fit. The reason behind it is that we want to make sure the animals will have a better life after we rescue them, we don‘t want the adopters to give up the dog or move the dog somewhere else without our consent,” Justina added.

New family: The happy face of gentle 8-year-old pit-bull Bucok with his new family after living many years in Pondok Pengayom shelter.(Courtesy of Jenae and Ben)

Many people wish to have purebred dogs. If this is what you prefer, you can still check websites of different shelters.

Every single day there are new dogs up for adoption, be it mixed or pure breed. You might find the one you have been looking for at a shelter and gain so much from adopting while still getting the pleasure of having your dream pet.

Adult dogs or cats are better for families with young children.

Obviously, the way your pets turn out depends on how you train them. But one thing is certain; dogs‘ personalities are fully developed by the time they are 2 years old and for cats, it is even earlier, at 1 year old.

So with adult dogs and cats, you can choose the pet that fits your needs and conditions, either a calm one, a playful one or a perfect guard dog.

“Unlike puppies or kittens, adult pets will no longer be ruining your belongings, they are settled and are more calm, especially after sterilization,” said Indrawaty Halim, head of adoption from Rumah Singgah HOS.

“You may know that the characteristics of an adult dog suit your situation, if so we will help you find the one,” she added.

Adoption is also cost effective.

The adoption fees are nothing in comparison to the price of buying a pet from a shop or breeder. And the fee you paid is actually used to help other rescued animals, so you know your money is being used for a very good cause.

“The adoption fee is to compensate for the sterilization and vaccination costs and to do the same to the newly rescued dogs,” Indrawaty said.

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