There are so many reasons why adopting a dog from an animal shelter is a better choice than buying one from a pet store. If you are passionate about the loving and loyal canine, it won’t take much convincing.

• Saving a life is worth the sacrifice. If you have had your heart set on a certain breed of dog, then you may be reluctant to forgo him for another, but saving a life and rejuvenating the spirit of a dog that has lost his family is so completely worth the sacrifice. A dog has endless love and loyalty for his family, which begins at a very young age. Being separated for whatever reason is heartbreaking and confusing for him. By adopting a dog and giving him a new family, you really are giving him a new lease on life, and every life is worth it.

• Getting a healthy dog. By adopting from an animal shelter, you are getting a dog that has had a total once-over. Animal shelter workers vaccinate, neuter or spay, and provide medical attention when needed before placing their dogs up for adoption. You don’t have to guess whether your dog is healthy because even if he does have medical problems, you will be informed of his special needs before you take him home.

• Economical and practical. It’s much cheaper to adopt than to buy. Not only do the dogs at the shelter have their basic needs met, such as neutering, spaying, vaccines, etc., but the adoption fee is very low compared to the price a breeder or pet store will charge. Your fee will go back into caring for other dogs at the shelter and not into somebody’s pocket.

• Don’t support puppy mills. By adopting rather than buying from a breeder or pet shop, you are not supporting puppy mills. Many pet stores buy dogs from them so they can turn a higher profit. When you see a purebred dog in the pet shop window, you can be certain that a breeder that offers health guarantees and offers to take back the dog no matter what stage in his life he is has not sold the dog to the pet store to be resold to you. Avoid these puppies and avoid pet stores unless you’re there to buy a leash.

The satisfaction and gratification you will experience when saving the life of a dog is like no other feeling on Earth. Giving back to a creature that would gladly give his life for his family is the kindest gesture that you could ever