The main difference between these two is that a pet store
will have more variety whereas the SPCA has mainly cats and dogs. Despite the
fact that most SPCA animals come from abusive or negligent homes, they are
usually healthier and hardier than pet store animals which are often raised in
puppy/kitten mills and by small breeders. If getting a purebred animal is not
of high importance, give the SPCA (which carries mostly mutts) a try. It is much cheaper! The SPCA is a fairly common stop; 20% of owned dogs and cats come from animal shelters (number found by the APPMA National Pet Owner Survey). All SPCA animals will already have been spayed or neutered, so keep this in mind if you are interested in possibly fostering pet offspring. Pet stores, such as Petsmart often hold
shelter fairs, where the SPCA or animal rescue groups come in with animals to
try and promote pet adoption. These
events are a great chance to play with animals and ask questions, and of course,
adopt a pet! Contact your local SPCA or
major pet store to find out when such events are taking place. Try attending some of these events with your
family and see their reaction to the animals and the expert advice.
Animals are incredible companions that become part of a
family in a deep, genuine way. They are
playmates for children, companions in leisure time, and sources of
unconditional love. Don’t rush into a
pet, give your family a month or more to really discuss the prospect before
coming to a final decision as to what is best for your situation. Good luck with the search!