Animal shelters around the world are overcrowded and understaffed. Several DHS students are helping this problem by choosing to adopt.

Despite an increase in adoptions, this dynamic results in large numbers of adoptable animals being euthanized every year.  According to the World Animal Foundation, 6.3 million animals enter shelters annually and of these 6.3 million, 920,000 are euthanized due to lack of space or funding.

This tragic loss of animal life could be drastically diminished if more people chose adoption from shelters. The World Animal Foundation states that 34% of all dogs are purchased from breeders, while only 23% are adopted from shelters. 

Although it is a common misconception that only adult dogs end up in shelters, according to Spots.com, at least 16.7% of all animals that are euthanized are no older than 5 months old.    

Many students at De Soto High School have made the choice to adopt.  Sophomore Taylor Bogart describes how adoption has not only changed her life but also her perspective on future pet adoption.

“I think every pet I will ever have from now on is going to be adopted just because I have seen how much my dog has grown and how this shy little scared dog has just gotten so happy in my care,” Bogart said. 

Bogart is not alone in her perspective on pet adoption. Sophomore Olivia Frick feels that adoption has changed her outlook on the best way to care for and support her animals. 

“I now recognize the importance of giving animals a safe and comfortable home for them to live in so that they can live the best lives that they can,” Frick said.

Of course some animals are relinquished to shelters for behavioral or medical reasons, but the majority of pets that end up in shelters are ready to be adopted into homes or have issues that can be overcome with patience.

Having patience when adopting a shelter dog is vital to the success of the dog and the adoption process. Animals living in a shelter environment can have a challenging time adapting to their new home environment, however, Frick explains how a patient and welcoming environment can help the animal drastically. 

“Usually when you adopt them, first they are a bit scared and a bit nervous so you have to help them adapt to their new surroundings and that can take a bit but it is all worth it,” Frick said. 

According to Frick and Bogart, the rewards of adopting an animal from the shelter far outweigh any obstacles that need to be overcome with these vulnerable animals.  

“You get to give a dog another chance at a good life, a dog that maybe didn’t have the best start at life you get to give them a new one,” Bogart said. 

Adopting an animal from a shelter provides the rare opportunity to transform a life.