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10. Enhance Personal Growth
Of the countless reasons to have a pet, learning life skills that enable an individual to become a better person is one of the most rewarding. Learning to share love, provide affection and give attention to an animal are three behaviors that enhance the personal quality of life.
Pets help us early in life, too. Children develop a strong sense of responsibility at an early age when they learn the importance of regularly feeding, grooming and exercising a pet. Recent studies also show that children who grow up with pets have higher levels of self-confidence and greater self-esteem, as well as lower stress levels and enhanced nonverbal communication skills when they are adults.
9. The Most Unique Friend You'll Ever Make
Animals at the Shelter have all had different experiences that contribute to their personalities. And, they might be purebred or a mix of many breeds with different personality traits. No matter what, your new best friend will be unlike any of your other friends!
8. It's Easy!
Adopting a new pet from the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter is easy as pie! Come down to the Shelter, located at 3410 S Walnut St, and let us match you with the perfect pet. Once your application is approved, you'll be on your way home with your new best friend. And the best part, your new pet has already been vaccinated, tested for Feline Leukemia/FIV or Heartworm, spayed or neutered, and microchipped, which is all included in the Shelters low-cost adoption fee.
7. Increase Your Sense Of Security
Whether you have a feline friend or a canine companion, cats and dogs can increase your sense of security, both physically and mentally. Dogs can increase personal security when walking alone at night, while cats can ward off potential burglars by meowing to alert you of danger. Someone you trust, any pet, small or large, winged or ground-bound, is always close by.
6. Meet People
People who have the same types of pets often exchange stories and compare experiences about their pets, and generally love to talk about them. Whether you're walking your canine in the park or talking about your reptile pets at work, pet ownership breaks the conversational ice and may result in a valuable new friendship.
5. Physical Fitness
Exercise is a great side effect of having an active pet. If your pet requires frequent physical activity, you will find that the amount of time you spend outdoors will increase dramatically. Dogs and other four-legged creatures enjoy frolicking in larger spaces than the indoors allow, and will appreciate the time you make to take them on walks. Your waistline might even thank you for it.
4. Constant Companionship
As well as love, pets offer continual companionship. Even pets like fish, which require lower maintenance than dogs or cats, can be steady friends. Some pets require frequent care and attention, like walking or playtime, which quickly can become a much-loved routine for you both.
3. Improve Your Health
How can owning a four-footed friend or winged companion help you live longer? Pets can increase a person's level of activity and ease daily stress. Medical studies have shown that seniors benefit especially from pet ownership, since having a pet can decrease blood pressure, fight loneliness, comfort the pain of a departed spouse and combat depression.
2. Love & Loyalty
Animals give you one thing better than R-E-S-P-E-C-T. They give you unquestioning, unbridled, unwavering love. Did your boyfriend or girlfriend suddenly take the high road, or your boss hand you your final paycheck? Never fear, Rover is near. Treat your pet with the respect it deserves and you will be repaid in kind with lifelong attention and affection, especially when you need it most.
1. Save A Life
There are so many animals in need of adoption at the City's Animal Shelter, yet not enough people willing to make the commitment and sacrifice it takes to look after them. Sleep better knowing that you have taken on the responsibility of raising a pet while rescuing an animal in need. Your pet will love you for it, forever.
Here are some more great reasons to Adopt Today!
Decrease Your Blood Pressure
“There is clear evidence that having a pet — especially a dog — is associated with prolonged life after a heart attack.” says Karen Allen, University of Buffalo research scientist. Over the years research has shown that having a pet leads to a decrease in blood pressure. Individuals with pets have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than people without pets, and higher one-year survival rates following coronary heart disease.
Combat Illness
In a study of 100 Medicare patients, even the most highly stressed dog parents in the study have 21 percent fewer physician's contacts than non-dog parents. Among other incentives, owners have a better chance at fighting loneliness and some serious illnesses. Additionally, pet guardianship has been closely linked to combating depression and helping cope with the loss of loved ones.
Provide Therapy To Others
Given the right animal, people, and circumstances, pets can indeed serve as "therapists." In animal-assisted therapy programs, an animal may visit with hospital or nursing home patients. For the program to be safe and effective, the animal must be carefully screened and the pet's caregiver must be trained to guide the animal-human interactions. Even in less formal animal-assisted activities, where the animal is introduced to an individual or group with no specific therapeutic goal, patients and staff often experience improved morale and communication.
Live Longer
Because many Americans are living longer lives these days, sometimes elderly people find themselves living alone because they have outlived loved ones, or because they live far from any family. There is a way, however, for the elderly to find new meaning in their lives, and to redefine what it means to be "young at heart" — by adopting a pet from the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
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