We at HoneyCure love our pets, both cats and dogs. This holiday season, we will, like many others, be spending some time with family and friends. We’re always sure to include our or our families pets in on the fun; even getting them some extra special gifts of their own!

The holiday season is a popular time to welcome a new pet into the family, and some may be looking for where that new pet is going to come from. If that’s you, we’d like you to consider adopting a pet from a local rescue or shelter.

There are so many pets who, through one way or another, end up in situations where the homes they are in are either not welcoming or not able to provide. These pets, and countless others wind up in shelters or with rescue groups looking for their first or a better home. Many of the pets of the HoneyCure team, such as Cara, Jynx, Oreo, Cayley, and Kelsey, were all adopted from shelters and rescues and here are some reasons we’ve come up with why you should adopt too.

Shelter Pets Need a Home Too

These pets are just as likely to make great companions as any other, and the fact that they come from a shelter does not change that at all. Pets respond to affection, effort, and time when trying to establish a bond with them. And if we’re putting in the work as good owners, a rescue pet will respond and be a great companion. So a great companion who comes from a shelter is a way to take a pet out of a bad situation and give them a great home to live in!

Rescues And Shelters Use That Money to Help More Pets

There’s a lot of rescue groups out there. Doing a quick Google search for local pet rescues pulls up a few pages in most urban areas. Unfortunately, this also means that all those rescue groups are competing for some very limited funding. Shelters are in the same boat and have the added costs of facilities to upkeep. The cost of adopting a pet from these places is often not much more than vet costs and basic costs of food and sheltering. But every time a pet is given a new home, the money raised through that adoption is put back to work paying for the next pet looking a new home.

Rescue Pets Come In All Ages

Pets end up in rescues at all ages. However, the most hotly sought-after new pets are young or very young (kittens or puppies). Pets at these ages are great for most families and people, as raising them really bonds them with you, your habits, and family. It’s a great experience to go through the growing pains with them too. But in some cases, raising a pet from a young age can be difficult or not the right thing to do for your situation. In these cases, rescues and shelters often have adult or senior pets in need of a good home. These pets have their own personalities already, but they can still learn to live with you and can make great companions without all the shenanigans of their youth. For seniors and individuals who have moved beyond the fast-paced youth rearing lifestyle, these pets often make great matches. And in their own way, they’ll be even more appreciative and happy to have you as an owner.

*Kelsey and Cayley hanging out on the couch.*

Rescue Pets Have Colorful Looks and Personalities

Rescue pets can have colorful parents and often don’t have their lineage tracked. This means that many dogs and cats are mixed breeds, and in some cases mixes of breeds that can’t be identified. But those mixed family lines only add to their appeal. These pets have colorful personalities that can create some truly memorable moments as they grow with our families.

There you have it. We hope these reasons help you consider rescuing a pet the next time you’re looking to expand your family. And we hope that whatever pet you do bring home becomes a great companion in a great home. As this year comes close to an end, we wish the whole HoneyCure family a healthy and joyful Holiday and New Year season.

Do you have a pet you have rescued and love? Share in the comments below!

[Edited 12/17/2021: Edited segments which may have came across as giving a value judgment between animals who were raised from breeders and shelters. We do not want to discourage you and your family's decision if you choose or chose a pet from a reputable breeder in order to find the best companion for you. Our intention was to give some exposure to adopting pets who are currently waiting to find their forever homes in shelters.]

Why You Should Adopt (Rescue) A Pet