You will save two lives

According to ASPCA, about 6.5 million animals enter American shelters every year, and unfortunately, for approximately 1.5 million of them, the story will end because of euthanasia.

So, adopting a dog or a cat from a shelter not only will you save that animal’s life. But you will also save the life of another animal because it can occupy that empty place. “Bringing a shelter or rescue group dog into your family will open up another space for a dog in need to be cared for until he is adopted, too,” Keith explains.

“Adoption not only moves an animal from vulnerability to safety, but creates space at the shelter, and moves more resources and attention to the remaining animals,” says DiCicco.