Rescuing saves lives. One less animal in a shelter is one less animal that has to be euthanized. Each year, over 6,000,000 animals enter shelters. Currently, an astounding 50% of dogs in shelters are euthanized each year.

If people stopped buying dogs, casual breeding may stop, and puppy mills would most likely close from lack of profit.

Rescue adoption doesn’t cost as much as buying a dog. Most shelters and rescue groups charge a small fee that covers spaying or neutering, food, boarding, and medical care, including vaccinations. This also means a lot less money spent at the vet. Certain rescue shelters also may give you coupons that allow you to get free stuff and/or an examination for your pet.

By adopting an older dog, you might not have to train your dog to go to the bathroom outside. An older dog might also be calmer.

You would support a non-profit organization.

You might be able to adopt the kind of purebred you want instead of buying one. Many rescue groups are specific to a type of breed, and many shelters will have purebreds up for adoption, as well.

If you adopt a mix, you have a dog that is unique. 

On average, mixes tend to be healthier and smarter, with a more moderate temperament than purebreds because of their genetic diversity.

Mixes can also have many traits of their purebred parents.

It feels good to be a Good Samaritan. Rescuing is good for the heart and soul.

Many people have special respect for rescue dogs and their owners.

There are also advantages to buying a dog too, but the list is much smaller. There are also other disadvantages to buying a dog. You can view these on the Purebreds and Designer Dogs page.  If you want a purebred, why not rescue one? Around 25% of all dogs in shelters are purebred, so it's possible to find the one you are looking for, while giving a home to a dog in need.

Heather Allard, intake and foster care coordinator for the Austin Humane Society, says, “The pet overpopulation is so huge right now, it would take years to put a dent in it.” Unless everyone helps, the overpopulation will just keep growing, making it harder and harder to pull it back down to size.

It all boils down to this: For every dog bought, a home for a shelter animal is lost. For every dog that has a litter, the overpopulation increases. Give a home to a homeless dog. Make the right choice.