There are many pet adoption centers and programs you can choose from in Houston. Many have a unique mission and goal that you can join and make the lives of pets better while doing your part for the community in a way that is truly meaningful to you. But you may be curious why pet adoption is highly recommended. After all, you can always buy a puppy or kitten, right?
Even though there are great places where you can buy a puppy or kitten, using a Houston animal shelter, you can help a pet in need of a new home. It is estimated that 8 to 12 million stray or abandoned pets are euthanized yearly to control their population. By adoption, you are helping rescue one of these lovable balls of fur.
Pet adoption helps break the cruel circle of breeding puppies and kittens. Some dogs and cats in these breeding mills spend their entire life producing kittens and puppies for the sole reason of making a profit. They spend their entire lives in kennels or cages, with little human interaction or contact with other pets, even with their puppies or kittens. By adopting a pet, you are doing your part to help reduce the business of these inhumane facilities.
Most older pets up for adoption are often trained; at the very least, they understand basic commands. This can make caring for them easier, especially for new pet parents who have never had a pet. Puppies and kittens need a lot of work and commitment. They are more susceptible to diseases and harder to train. Puppies and kittens are also full of energy and can be destructive; they can chew, bite, and claw at things. They need extra guidance from a patient pet parent.
Houston pet adoption is a great way to be part of community initiatives. You can assist these non-profit organizations by volunteering, offering a short-term foster home for the pet, donating to their cause, and pet adoption, often a cheaper alternative to buying from breeders.
Adopting a pet is a big step. At BetterVet, we bring quality veterinary care to your doorstep, making it easy to provide the best start for your furry friend. Our experienced veterinarians offer wellness exams, vaccination, allergy treatments and more to ensure your new pet’s health, happiness, and well-being.
Remember, the simple fact that you are helping a pet get a new loving home is enough. Here are some great adoption centers in Houston you can visit.
1. Houston Pets Alive!
Houston Pets Alive! saved an estimated 3,500 pets in 2020 and got about 3800 of their rescues a home in the same year. Their main focus is often on pets at risk of euthanization. They understand that once a pet gets to the shelter, it becomes increasingly hard to find a new home. They aim to reduce the number of pets that go to shelters and get those already there a new home.
But like many pet adoption centers in Houston, Houston Pets Alive is well-rounded and offers other services for the well-being of pets. This pet rescue center in Houston offers 24/7 virtual access to licensed vets, so you can get help with your new pet any time you want.
2.Houston Humane Society
Houston Humane Society (HHS) is dedicated to ending animal cruelty, abuse, and overpopulation while, at the same time, offering a high quality of life to all pets that are under their care. They insist that adopting one pet saves two pet lives because you are giving a home to one pet while creating space for them to host another needy pet at their facility.
With HHS, you can adopt and help a pet or be a foster parent, where you will only take care of the pet for a short time. Other ways you can help apart from adopting are by donating and volunteering. Even though HHS is an adoption center, they have an affordable wellness clinic that offers spaying, neutering, vaccination, pet dental care, etc. And since aging pets need more care, they often have discounted senior pet wellness checkups where they use blood work to analyze their quality of life.
3. Houston SPCA
Founded in 1924, Houston SPCA is one of the oldest and most respected centers offering dog adoption in Houston. They have hundreds of animals, from small pets to farm animals like horses you can choose from.
As a pet rescue organization in Houston, they go the extra mile by having an injured animal rescue ambulance, which they use to save both domestic and wild animals. They also host many events that help educate Houston residents about animal cruelty and how to adopt and care for a pet, among other things. These events also help them raise money to better care for the pets under them.
As it stands today, they have rescued almost 60,000 animals, investigated over 8,000 cases of animal cruelty, and cared for more than 12,000 wild animals at their center.
4. Friends For Life
Friends For Life has been around for about 20 years and always aims to redefine what an animal shelter does. They do this by having a meticulous and thorough adoption process, which includes a one-week “sleepover” with the pet you want to adopt to see if you are a good fit. They provide detailed guidelines on introducing your new pet to your existing ones and ensuring that all the pets under them find the right home.
Friends For Life has great initiatives. For instance, they were the first pet adoption center in Houston to start an animal food bank. To top it off, Friends For Life also has a drive-through vet clinic offering free vaccines, exams for puppies & kittens, and pet food. A quick glance at their website will show that you can donate to specific medical needs of particular needy pets. The details of the conditions are well explained, with a photo of the pet displayed.
If you would like a pet, visit a pet adoption center in Houston. You are sure to find a pet to join your family. Once you have adopted a pet, you need to work with a good vet team that understands your pet's needs. Contact BetterVet.com, mobile vet in Houston,TX for vet care at your doorstep. Enjoy our in-home vet services, or schedule our video consultation services to understand your new pet better.
