Adopting an animal is an exciting time for a household. There are many different places that animals can be found, but the absolute best choice would be an animal shelter or breed rescue group.Every year over 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized for no other reason that the fact that there are not enough homes available for all of them.

This problem hasbecome biggerin large part because of three mainreasons: First,puppy mills which breed animals only for the money theycan make without any regard for the health and well being of the animals; second, individuals whodecide to breed their own animals to make money and; third, individuals whodo not spayor neuter their animals, and carelessly let their animals breed and produce litters. Animal shelters are often filled to capacity for these reasons. By adopting an animal from a shelter or rescue group,you are helping to solve the pet overpopulation problem.

Some people believe that an animal shelter will not have aparticular breed type, but sheltersoften havepurebred animals if that is what you are looking for. The process may take longer if you are looking for apurebred animal, but often the breed you are looking for willbeturned over toa shelter at some point if you are patient. There are also breed rescue groups for almost every breed of animal.A list of these groups can be found through your local animal shelter, or you can find them online by searching for whatever breed you are interested in. Be sure to include the words "rescue group" in your search criteria. Alsoremember thatmixed breed animals make wonderful pets, so do not rule out adopting a mixed breed even if you are set on adopting a purebred animal.

You have finally found the perfect pet from a shelter or rescue groupand you are still wondering what you can do to help put an end to the petoverpopulation problem. Here are some things you can do to continue to help.

Please have your pet spayed or neutered.Most shelters will do this as part of your adoption fee, but if for some reason the animal you gethas not been fixed, please havethis done. There are often lower cost spay/neuter clinics provided to the public several times a year, so there is no excuse not to spay or neuter your animal.

Another thing you can do is shop your conscience by only shopping at pet supply stores that do not sell live animals. If your local pet shop does sell live animals, let them know how you feel about this problem. If puppy mill breeders have trouble selling their animals to pet shopsthey will no longer want to be in this business.

Also, please consider you newly adopted pet as a member of your family. Too many people decide to get an animal and then find out the situation does not work for them. Please do your homework before you make this decision so you are not in the position of having to turn your animal over to a shelter because you did not thoroughly understand the commitment.

By adopting your animal from a shelter or breed rescue group you can feel good about helping solve an enormous problem and know that you are part of the solution.