Why You Should Adopt a Shelter Pet and DeKalb County Animal Services Pet of the Week

By Karen Hirsch

I was recently having a conversation with someone in the pet food aisle of a grocery store who told me she was considering getting another dog. When I suggested she adopt from our shelter, she told me that she thought that dogs and cats in animal shelters had something wrong with them. She believed that they were at the shelter due to behavior problems and that they wouldn’t make good pets. After I got over being shocked, I told the woman that her perceptions couldn’t be further from the truth.

The reality is that most pets in shelters were picked up as strays who were either lost or abandoned. And those pets that were turned in were given to shelters because of “people issues,” such as divorce, a move, a lack of time and financial constraints, and not because of anything the animals had done.

Animal shelters are full of happy, healthy and well-socialized animals just waiting for a home, and there are so many varieties, that you’re likely to find one who is perfect for you. There are pure breeds, mixed breeds, designer dogs, large dogs and tiny dogs. There are gorgeous long-haired cats, chilled out short-haired cats, seniors and playful kittens.

And when you adopt a pet from a shelter, you’re saving a life, getting an animal who may already be trained or housebroken, saving money and not supporting puppy mills. Additionally, numerous studies have shown that having a pet has many positive benefits on human health, so please adopt today!

DeKalb County Animal Services Pet of the Week: Akira

A perfect example of a happy and well-socialized shelter dog is this week’s Pet of the Week. Meet Akira, a two-year-old cutie who has adorable floppy ears and whose tail never stops wagging. Akira loves to play, and when she has a toy she bounces around, prances and makes everyone laugh. Akira also shakes her whole rear end when she wags her tail which only adds to her cuteness.

And if you adopt Akira by September 30, you’ll pay no adoption fee! Under our “Fall in Love” promotion, all animals adopted by the end of the month are free, including their spay/neuter, vaccines and microchip. To meet Akira, please drop by the shelter, emailadoption@dekalbanimalservices.comor call (404) 294-2165. To view other great animals available for adoption, visit www.dekalbanimalservices.com.