Every year, right here near our Austin veterinary clinic, thousands of animals are left homeless. They are given up by owners who either cannot or do not want to keep them. With such a wide selection of shelter animals in the North Austin and Pflugerville region, chances are high you can find one that suits your fancy.Our animal hospital has its own rescue dog, Speed Bump, who is a guard dog for our vets Dr. Kellee Campbell and Dr. Susan Waage. Staff members have also adopted their own pets from shelters, pets that might have otherwise ended up euthanized due to lack of shelter space and resources.
Top 3 Reasons to Adopt Your Next Dog or Cat from a Shelter - Facts from Local Veterinarian
Adopting from a shelter is saving a life. No matter how noble a shelter's intentions are, if an animal becomes ill and needs expensive veterinarian treatments, develops behavioral problems, or is otherwise hard to adopt out, the pet can become a candidate for euthanasia.
Adopting from a shelter means you are not supporting puppy mills, from where pet shop dogs can come. Our vets and staff help spread the word about the horrific conditions and practices found in puppy mills. To keep costs low and profits high, puppy mills are often stacked with cramped cages in filthy conditions. Puppies that do not fill the breeding standards are discarded, as is the breeding female after she has served her purpose.
Adopting a shelter pet is typically less expensive than buying from a shop or breeder. Adoption costs are generally reasonable and pets are healthy. Our animal hospital has treated pets that came from costly breeders or pet shops as well as those from shelters, and we know the high cost of the pet does not necessarily mean they are in the best health.
For more information about adopting from a shelter in our area, contact us at Dessau Veterinary Clinic. We are happy to provide information on local shelters and often have information on pets that need good homes.
Have you ever adopted a pet from a shelter? Please share your story below.