Our Story: From Runaways to Couch Potatoes

In 2016, my husband and I opened our hearts and home to a senior bonded pair from a local shelter, Lacy (7) and Sugar (8). Their previous owner had struggled with a broken fence, and after they escaped one final time, the heartbreaking choice was made not to retrieve them. That decision, painful as it was, led them to us.

From the moment they arrived, Lacy and Sugar filled our lives with joy, companionship, and unconditional love. Despite their past, we never had a single issue with them trying to escape again. It was as if they knew they were finally home.

In 2024, we had to say goodbye to Lacy after a battle with dementia. She passed at 15, leaving a hole in our hearts that words cannot fully describe. Sugar, now 16, continues to thrive, and we do everything possible to make her senior years peaceful and full of love.

We carry Lacy’s memory with us each day. When the time comes, we hope to honor both of them by opening our home to another senior bonded pair!

Every animal we’ve had has come from a shelter or rescue. For us, adoption isn’t just an act of kindness, it is a way of life.

Why Adoption Matters

Animal adoption isn’t about saving a life; it’s about changing two lives: theirs and yours. In the U.S. alone, about 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters every year. While many are adopted, hundreds of thousands are euthanized due to overcrowding or lack of interest, especially older pets, and those with special needs.

Let’s debunk some of the most common myths and get to the heart of why adoption is such a powerful choice.

Common Misconceptions About Shelter Pets

Myth #1: “Shelter animals are damaged or have behavioral issues.”
Reality: Most animals end up in shelters due to owner-related issues like moving, financial hardship, or illness—not because of any fault of their own.

Myth #2: “You can’t find purebred animals in shelters.”
Reality: About 25% of dogs in shelters are purebred. Breed-specific rescues also exist for nearly every breed.

Myth #3: “Shelter pets are all old.”
Reality: While older pets make amazing companions, shelters are full of puppies, kittens, and young adults too.

 Myth #4: “Rescue pets come with unknown health problems.”
Reality: Reputable shelters offer medical evaluations, vaccinations, and spay/neuter services before adoption.

Myth #5: “I won’t find the right breed, size, or temperament.”
Reality: With national databases and local resources, you can filter by nearly any preference—from energy level to coat type.

4 Powerful Reasons to Adopt

1. You Save a Life
   Each adoption makes room for another animal in need and gives your pet a second chance at happiness.
2. You Help Stop Inhumane Breeding
   By adopting, you’re pushing back against puppy mills and unethical breeding practices.
3. You Gain a Lifelong Companion
   Adopted pets are often already trained, socialized, and ready to love.
4. It’s Affordable and Ethical
   Most shelters include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay/neuter in the adoption fee, saving you money while supporting humane practices.

Ready to Adopt?

Whether you’re ready to adopt or just exploring the idea, shelters are full of incredible animals, young and old, energetic and calm, purebred and mixed waiting for a second chance. Stop by your local shelter to meet adoptable pets in person. Many host open houses or adoption events, especially during Clear the Shelters month in August. Websites like Petfinder.com, AdoptAPet.com, and shelter-specific pages let you filter by breed, age, temperament, and more.  Even if you can’t adopt right now, sharing adoptable pets on social media helps them get seen. You never know who in your circle might be looking!  

Can’t Adopt? Foster!

Fostering is ideal for people who can’t commit long-term pet ownership but still want to help. This opens up space in shelters that are often overcrowded. That one act frees up space for another life to be saved. Even a few days or weeks in a safe home can make a world of difference for an animal. And the best part? You don’t need to be perfect. Just present, patient, and willing to open your home (and heart) for a little while.

Contact a local rescue organization, they would be thrilled to hear from you!

Can’t Foster? Volunteer!

Shelter teams are often overwhelmed. Volunteers help by:

• Cleaning, feeding, and assisting with daily tasks
• Helping during events, transports, or intake
• Offering comfort through play, walks or quiet companionship
• Help socialize animals so they are more adoptable
• Freeing up time so staff can focus on medical or behavioral needs
• Working fundraisers

Volunteering is incredibly rewarding. There is nothing quite like watching a frightened animal learn to trust or seeing them go home with a forever family. You become a key part of their transformation story.

Every Life Deserves a Second Chance

Whether you are ready to adopt, foster, or volunteer, your actions matter more than you know. Every animal deserves a chance to feel safe, loved, and part of a family. By opening your heart, even for a short time you become a chapter in their rescue story, one filled with hope and healing.

It doesn’t take perfection; it just takes compassion. The difference you make might seem small, but to that animal, it means everything. So, visit your local shelter, spread the word, or simply offer a kind word to someone who is considering adoption. Because together, we don’t just save lives, we rewrite them.

Shelter Animals Count. (2024, February 7). Shelter Animals Count releases 2023 annual analysis. Retrieved from https://www.shelteranimalscount.org/sac-releases-2023-annual-analysis