It’s not hard to see the holidays are here and lots of people are buying presents and looking for that gift that is just right for their loved one. Some folks are in the market for a new pet this time of year, especially a dog. Whether you are wanting to get a new canine companion for your child(ren), your spouse, or even an elderly family member, it is worth your time to check out the amazing pets at our local animal shelter.
Every year, an estimated 1.5 million adoptable shelter dogs and cats are euthanized in the U.S., according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). That’s because the shelters simply don’t have enough space and funding to accommodate all the animals that are brought there.
We are fortunate in Emanuel County to have a “no-kill” shelter. Just hearing those statistics is alarming; this is why I feel everyone should consider adopting, not shopping for, pets. This choice will make you feel better that you gave an animal a home, helped other animals and saved money. Every time an animal is adopted, a space opens up in the shelter or the rescue, so when you adopt a cat or dog, you’re not only saving that animal’s life—you’re also opening up a space for another animal’s life to be saved.
No matter what breed, size, or age you’d like, you can find one in need of adoption. All it takes is a bit of research and patience. You can check out The Emanuel County Animal Shelter Facebook page to see the many dogs available for adoption. They still have plenty of fur babies that need homes, and right now there is a free adoption event sponsored by Emanuel County Humane Society. This goes through the end of the year and includes spaying/neutering and rabies shot for your new family member.
There are so many other benefits to adopting a dog versus purchasing one from a breeder, but best of all is you’ll be making a new best friend.
Wallee Kersey is a 10th grade student at Emanuel County Institute. He is a Senior 4-H member participating in the Dog Car & Training Project Area through Emanuel County 4-H.