You finally did it: you’ve settled into your apartment. Your pillows are fluffed, the walls are decorated, and your dinner plates have found their perfect place in the cabinet. Now, there’s only one thing left to do: expand your family with a four-legged friend. Adopting a pet is the proverbial cherry on top of apartment living. It provides a joy that surpasses all expectations and promises the companionship of a lifetime—but introducing a pet into your apartment isn’t completely devoid of difficulties. From teaching the principles of potty-training to repairing claw-marked furniture, bringing a pet into your living space can present equal risks for every reward.

Lucky for you, there’s a simpler equation: to adopt—and not shop—for your new pet.

The benefits of adopting a pet are boundless. From placing a pet into the home that it deserves to finding an animal with the perfect personality, adopting a pet is an exceptional way to seamlessly embrace your new family member. Still need convincing? Read on to discover our top reasons for why adopting a previously-loved pet could be the perfect new addition in your apartment.

Adoption vs Shopping: What’s the Difference?

Pet adoption is the process of procuring a previously-owned animal from an animal shelter or a rescue organization. Pet shopping refers to buying an animal directly from an animal breeder. While the main distinction between adoption vs shopping stems from how one acquires the pet, other notable differences include:

·   Cost – While many breeders charge over 1,000 dollars for a particular pet, many animal shelters and rescue centers may charge less than 300 dollars to adopt the perfect companion. This makes shopping for a pet significantly more expensive than adopting one from a shelter.

·   Breed diversity – When shopping for pets, buyers can specifically elect which purebred breed they purchase.  However, when adopting, most shelter pets are mixed-breed, and there are often limited varieties of breeds to choose from. Whie breeders sell pets mainly for their pedigree, animal shelters offer a diverse pool of pet options based on pet size, temperament, and—most importantly—personality.

·   Background – Pets from breeders are often puppies or kittens bred exclusively for profit. While many breeders remain ethical in their practices, select breeders attain puppies from puppy mills—where profit is prioritized over the health, safety, and well-being of the animals. Pets from animal shelters, on the other hand, include animals from various backgrounds. From house pets that were previously loved by a family to homeless animals found wandering the streets, pets from shelters and rescue centers often have backgrounds as diverse as their genetics.

While shopping for a new pet promises an animal of a specific pedigree, the cost and question of the breeder’s ethical practices can stain the prospect of purchasing from one. However, with the low cost, variety of backgrounds, and diverse pet personalities offered with adoption, choosing a shelter or rescue center to find your pet could be the best option for your family.

Why Adoption Matters for Apartment Living

Adoption offers owners the chance to aid a pet in need, provide it with a loving home, and save an animal from possible euthanasia—but that’s not all that it promises. Adopting an animal may also ensure that your new pet harmoniously adapts to your environment. When it comes to apartment living, introducing an animal that is familiar with family dynamics, indoor life, and basic training could make the difference between a rough integration process and a seamless transition.

And that is reason enough to rescue your future furry friend.

Reasons to Adopt, Not Shop, Your Pets for Apartment Living

You asked, and we’re here to answer. The top reasons to adopt, and not shop, for your future pet include:

·   Prior housetraining – If you choose to adopt a pet, your new family member will thank you—and your carpets will too! Many pets in shelters and rescue centers are both crate-trained and housebroken—saving you the time and hassle of training them or cleaning up any accidents.

·   Basis for routine – When training a pet, incorporating routine early into their lives is essential. Lucky for owners who choose to adopt, adopted pets often already have a basis of routine. Shelters follow strict eating, playtime, bath time, and sleeping schedules to ensure efficiency. If you choose to adopt an animal, it may be easier to adjust your pet to the routine of living in an apartment since they’ll already be familiar with the concept.

·   Family familiarity – What’s the fastest way to integrate your new pet into your family dynamic? Choose one that’s already familiar with it! Many adopted pets were surrendered by families who could no longer care for them. They’re no stranger to living indoors, socializing with strangers, or loving their families—making them the perfect additions to integrate into your own household.

·   High recommendations – Many pets from adoption centers are highly recommended by the foster parents and shelter employees that have cared for them prior to adoption. Shelter caretakers nurse pets during their time in shelters. They know the pets’ personalities best and are often invested in their long-term wellbeing. If your landlord requires a reference for your pet application, adopted pets can always count on their shelter’s glowing recommendation.

Pro tip: A pets’ time spent in a shelter may also provide a great reference point when negotiating with a landlord who may not allow pets. Showing a landlord that your pet has previously lived amicably and compatibly in a structured environment may help convince a landlord to allow your adopted addition!

·   Built-in community – We all need community. Having someone to support you, guide you, and—most importantly—understand your story is essential after making a big decision. Adopted pets often have built-in communities, and—once adopted—their owners have access to both people and resources designed to help them through the adoption process.

Whether you adopt a cat to save a life, or adopt a dog to save your carpet, electing to adopt—not shop—for your new pets has a myriad of benefits for you and your apartment.

Find Pet-Friendly Housing Easily with Apartments.com

We know that inviting a new pet into your space is a huge decision, and Apartments.com is here to help you make that commitment with ease. Narrow the search for pet-friendly apartments with our customized search tool, or apply to your apartment of choice with our easy application system. Whether you’re applying to the apartment you love, or simply browsing your current apartment’s pet guidelines, Apartments.com has the tools to help you throughout your pet adoption process.

So what are you waiting for? Choose adoption—then choose Apartments.com—to unite the pet you want with the home you’ll both love.