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When considering adopting a shelter pet or a purebred pet, you might want to ask yourself how far you are willing to open your wallet. Do you want to spend $500 to $1,500 for a purebred animal? Or, $0 to $120 for a shelter pet?

It sounds good, doesn't it, saving all that money? And, it gets even better.

An added bonus when adopting from a shelter is that the fee includes spaying/neutering; and most times, required vaccinations are also current. When buying a pet from a breeder, this is not the case.

With a global problem of overpopulation of cats and dogs, spaying/neutering is not only the right thing to do, but the responsible thing to do. Shelters know this and have introduced the free spaying/neutering program.

Knowing that so many homeless pets need a loving home, does it really make sense to fork out hundreds of dollars on a purebred pet? Have you ever visited a shelter or looked at pictures of shelter pets on-line? Does your heart not bleed just a little bit seeing the miserable faces of so many cats and dogs? Can you look into their sad green or brown eyes and turn away?

What makes a purebred animal so much better than these cats and dogs? Both are fury, with a head, a body, four legs and a tail. Both will be your faithful, loving friend for years to come.

If a kitten or a puppy does not appeal to you, there are plenty of adult pets eager for your company. Some of these older cats and dogs were birthday or Christmas presents, only to be cast aside when they grew out of their cute stage. They were banned to a life outside, exposed to the elements, with minimal food and water. They were yelled at, kicked at and had to endure a variety of other abuse and neglect. Where is the love they once received when they were kittens and puppies?

You can change their lives. You can give them what they had to do without for so long and crave the most - love and attention.

By adopting a pet from a shelter you do more than gaining a friend, you save a life. Now, wouldn't that make you feel good? In the eyes of Fluffy or Fido you would be a hero. And don't think they don't know it, they do and they will be ever so grateful.

Now as for purebred animals, it is true that they come with a pedigree which is probably longer than yours. But do those papers make any difference to you? Do Fluffy or Fido's parents and grandparents really matter? If you were considering a racehorse I would say okay,' the family tree is important; but we are talking about a cat or a dog, a rabbit or a hamster!

Look into your heart.

Look into your soul.

Look into your wallet.

What do you see?

When adopting a purebred animal you will see a lot less in your wallet. And perhaps at night you might see a shelter animal invade your dreams and ask, "Why didn't you adopt me?"

Learn more about this author, Conny Manero.
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