Dog shelters and cat shelters are the best place to find a pet friend.

Dog shelters and cat shelters used to be known as pounds i.e. public enclosures for stray animals.  Stray dogs, stray cats and other stray animals such as livestock were kept in enclosures until they were reclaimed, adopted, relocated or euthanized.  The first official animal welfare society - the SPCA was begun in England in 1824.  Since then virtually thousands of animal shelters (some non-profit publicly owned, others private) have set up many styles of shelters all with the goal of providing havens for lost, unwanted and ill animals.

Often publicly-owned animal shelters provide staff necessary to maintain the bylaws relevant to stray dogs and stray cats.  The animal control officer (dog catcher) will pick up strays and transport them to shelters.

Some animal shelters have chosen the "no-kill" approach, which supports healthy and adoptable pets until death, unless pet adoptions become available.  Unfortunately, however, these are few and far between and many un-adopted animals are euthanized.  Due to the large number of animal rescues of abandoned pets, homeless pets, abused pets, or surrendered pets, the resources need to support these vast numbers are woefully inadequate. 

There are some animal shelters, however, that provide assistance in spaying and neutering, veterinary care, and behavior training or resources.  Some also provide safe havens for animal rescues, from couples abusive to each other.

Animal sanctuaries, on the other hand, often provide the qualities of an animal shelter with those of an animal sanctuary and will ultimately care for animals for their whole life. 

Animal welfare groups continue to educate on the value of pet adoption.

Animal welfare groups utilizing many volunteers are busy educating the public and possible pet owners about the value of animal adoption over purchasing pets from retail or wholesale pet vendors who often house their animals in deplorable conditions.  There is such a vast number of dogs and cats in animal shelters, that purchasing a pet from a store should not be necessary.  Anyone can start a pet store, but profit is the main concern, not animal welfare.  Anyone can start an animal shelter too, but sheltering usually involves commitment, time, and a desire to help homeless pets.  Non-profit status can be obtained.  People who usually start these organizations have been volunteering at local humane societies or shelters.  They are committed before they start.

Please consider finding a pet through an animal shelter.  The workers in dog shelters and cat shelters only have the best interests of the animals at heart.  You'll rejoice in your decision to do so.

Visit our pet cruelty page which lists animal welfare agencies.

To purchase pet health products and find other  unique online pet shopping products visit our pet products page.

Related pet cruelty-pet care articles:

• Pet blessings
• Pet adoptions

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