Why Adopt?

Thinking of adding a pet to your family? Here are seven reasons why you should adopt from a shelter like Kershaw County Humane Society, rather than run to a breeder for your next best friend.

1. Buying a puppy from a breeder is often a gamble. You might know what they will look like when they grow up based on their breed and their parents, but you can’t always pinpoint the exact traits your puppy may develop. The benefit of shelters like Kershaw County Humane Society is that you can walk around, meet all the dogs, and get to know them based on the characteristics they exhibit after they’ve gone through the quirks of the puppy stages. Some might be shy, some might be playful, you might just fall in love at first sight. 
2. While puppies are adorable, they’re not for everyone. Many people prefer to adopt an older dog who may be less maintenance than a puppy. Oftentimes, many of our pets are already house trained and can pick up on basic commands! 
3. While the majority of our pets are out of the baby stages, it doesn’t mean a few puppies or kittens won’t be hanging around. So if babies are your thing, we might just have the companion you’ve been looking for! You don’t always need to go to a breeder to get a puppy or kitten to bring home.
4. It is cost-effective! Rather than spend big bucks on a dog from a breeder, why not spend less money and give right back to your community by adopting from a local shelter like KCHS? 
5. Unlike many breeders, KCHS covers the initial expenses that you will need to bring your new pet home. When you leave KCHS, your dog or cat will be vaccinated, up to date on their shots, spayed or neutered, and microchipped so you can start them off on the right foot.
6. A study done by the Institute of Canine Biology found that purebred dogs have a significantly greater risk of developing many hereditary disorders when compared to mixed breed dogs. Therefore, adopting a mixed breed dog from organizations like KCHS rather than adopting from a breeder means that your dog has a lower chance of developing many hereditary disorders. 
7. At the end of the day, you saved their life. Each year, it is estimated that more than one million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States. At no fault of their own, these animals lose their lives due to overcrowding in shelters and too few adopters. When you adopt from places like KCHS, you save the life of the animal you are bringing home, and you open up a kennel so they can make space to save another homeless pet.

As you consider the benefits of adopting over shopping, please keep these seven big reasons in mind! Remember, you are always welcome to come on down to Kershaw County Humane Society to meet your new best friend!