Why you should adopt

Here are the top-five reasons you should consider adopting a pet.

1. You will be giving an animal a second chance

Every year, hundreds of thousands of animals are abandoned to shelters or the street. At Lort Smith, we rehome approximately 850 pets each year. These pets are surrendered to our Adoption Centre by carers who are no longer able to look after them.

It is a common misconception that animals end up in shelters because they have been abused or done something wrong. In fact, most animals are surrendered to shelters purely because of a change in their carers’ lifestyle. Things like a relationship breakup; change in family circumstance; moving interstate, overseas, or to a rental property where the landlord doesn’t allow pets; lack of time and financial constraints are among the most common reasons pets lose their home.

Adopting a pet means you can give an animal a second chance for a long and happy life in a loving home.

2. You will get a healthy pet

All of our animals available for adoption have been examined by a vet, vaccinated, microchipped, desexed and have received parasite protection. We also screen animals for specific temperaments and behaviours to ensure each family finds the right pet for its lifestyle.

3. You will save money

Adopting a pet from us is much less expensive than buying from a pet store or a breeder – especially as vaccinations and desexing are included in the adoption fee.

4. You will feel better

At Lort Smith we believe in and promote the benefits of the human-animal bond. We understand 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 proven to help people psychologically, emotionally and physically. Caring for a companion animal can provide a sense of purpose and fulfilment and lessen feelings of loneliness and isolation in all age groups. There are many ways pets can help your physical health as well, from warding off or easing depression and lowering blood pressure, to helping with your waistline.

5. You won’t be supporting puppy farms or pet stores

Puppy farms are factory-style dog-breeding facilities that put profit above the welfare of dogs. Most dogs raised in puppy farms are housed in poor conditions with improper medical care. The parents of the puppies are kept in cages to be repeatedly bred for years, without human companionship and with little hope of ever joining a family. After they are no longer profitable, breeding dogs are simply discarded – either killed, abandoned or sold. Puppy farm puppies are sold to unsuspecting consumers in pet stores, over the internet and through newspaper classified advertisements to whoever is willing to pay for them.

Well-rehearsed sales tactics, such as saying the puppies come from reputable breeders, keep money flowing to the puppy farm by ensuring that buyers never get to see where the pups actually come from – a vital step in puppy-buying. Many of the puppies have serious behavioural and health problems that might not be apparent for months, including medical problems that can cost thousands of dollars to treat, if they are treatable at all.

Unfortunately, a lot of people are not even aware that puppy farms exist, so when they buy from a pet store, online or other retail outlets, they are unwittingly supporting this cruel industry. By adopting instead of buying a pet, you can be certain you aren’t supporting cruel puppy farms with your money. Puppy farms will continue to operate until people stop purchasing from them.

Instead of buying a dog, contact us! View our animals available for adoption online, contact us or come and visit our Adoption Centre. Our dogs are healthy, well-socialised, and just waiting for their second chance.