We’ve all seen those beautiful videos on the internet when a shelter animal gets adopted that never fail to bring a tear to the eye. The excitement in their eyes coupled with utter disbelief, gratitude, and sincere love they feel towards their new caretakers makes adopting a pooch or a cat one of the happiest moments anyone can experience.

But why adopt if you can simply go buy a puppy from a local breeder? Well, for one, by adopting instead of buying, you will be supporting the shelters instead of the puppy mills that breed the dogs for the sake of profits, and not the well-being of the animal. However, there are numerous other benefits to adopting a shelter animal, benefits that will transform your life for the better in addition to saving the lives of numerous pets waiting to find their perfect family.

You will be saving more than just one life

The notion of saving a single life is a powerful one, and it should be enough to inspire anyone looking to get a dog to head over to the shelter instead of a local puppy mill. But if you think about how your decision can impact the lives of numerous other animals, then the cause becomes even more important and rewarding.

Adopting a dog or a cat is not just about that one animal – it allows you to improve the chances of other animals finding their families as well. Because shelters often have to make the tough decision of euthanizing animals to make room for new arrivals, you will be helping the next animal in line to take your dog’s place, and find a happy home.

How having a pet can influence your health

Among numerous emotional and psychological benefits an owner can experience by adopting and bonding with their pets, there are also several health benefits that make the entire story that much more appealing.

A few decades ago, it was common sense to believe that keeping a pet indoors increases the chance of developing allergies and respiratory health issues in children. However, studies have confirmed that owning a pet actually lowers the risk of children developing these symptoms, and even boosts their immune system over time.

Along with immune system benefits, pet owners are known to be healthier individuals in general. Dog and cat owners typically benefit from decreased blood pressure, decreased cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and an active lifestyle that further safeguards overall well-being.

Consider how a dog can save You

Numerous physical health benefits notwithstanding, researchers at Harvard University have concluded that owning a dog can have numerous emotional and psychological benefits for all age groups as well, especially children and seniors. So consider how rescuing a sheltered dog can actually be a two-way street, and how your new companion can “save” you as well.

However, in order to reap the benefits of this new friendship, the dog will need to be happy, healthy, and satisfied with its new family and surroundings, so make sure you choose good pet food, take your pooch to the vet regularly, and stick to daily physical activity such as walking and playing fetch. Once you have these areas covered, you will have an easier time bonding with your furry friend.

In fact, researchers suggested that a care-taking role may give older individuals a sense of responsibility and purpose that contributes to their overall well-being, so keep in mind that a pet is not an aesthetic addition to your living environment, but rather a living creature that requires attention and devotion in every sense of the word. This way, the pet will be able to give your life a new meaning as well.

The right way to raise a family

Speaking of devotion and caring for your pet, rescuing a shelter animal and bringing it into your growing family is one of the best ways to raise your children to be good, healthy, stable, and loving adults. Not only can pets positively influence your children’s cardiovascular health, but they can also teach them numerous positive skills and values that will prove to be imperative later in life.

With the help of their furry companions, children can learn empathy, calm and composure, how to be brave, confident, and take on responsibilities in life with pride, joy, and devotion. Caring for an animal teaches your children all the right values, so consider the needs of your family as well when thinking about adopting a shelter animal.

You can’t put a price on unconditional love

Finally, receiving and thriving together under the unconditional love your new pet is going to give you is at the root of every benefit we mentioned today. Everything stems from the fact that from now on, your life will be enriched by an animal that will love you unconditionally, for as long as they can see you, hear you, and smell your unique scent that has become their everything.

Rescuing a dog means so much more than saving a single life – it means rescuing yourself, and numerous other animals in the process. So say no to commercial breeding practices, and instead opt for a sheltered animal that is healthy, loving, and just waiting for you to give it a home and a lifelong, loving embrace.