When you choose to adopt an animal from a shelter, you’re embarking on one of life’s most rewarding endeavors. Not only are you saving the life of the pet you’ve adopted, you’re saving the life of the animal who takes its place at the shelter and improving your own quality of life, as well. There are so many wonderful dogs, cats, and other animals waiting to be adopted at our local shelters—find out where you can find them and the benefits of adopting a pet in Montgomery County, MD!
Where to Adopt a Pet in Montgomery County
If you’re planning on adopting a pet in Montgomery County, there are a lot of great places to look:
Montgomery County Humane Society – located in Rockville, Maryland, you can find adoptable dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, lizards, frogs, guinea pigs, birds, and even chickens! You can visit the animals every day except Wednesday, between 12 and 7 p.m. during the week and 12 to 5 p.m. on the weekends.
Montgomery County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MCSPCA) – this no-kill rescue shelter is an all-volunteer, non-prodit organization dedicated to the humane treatment of animals. They facilitate dog and cat adoptions and foster programs.
The Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County (AWL) – this no-kill shelter located in Gaithersburg, MD specializes in cat adoptions for adult cats and kittens. Potential adopters can visit the facility on Wednesdays 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 12 to 3 p.m.
Petfinder – you can also use the internet to find animals to adopt in Montgomery County. Petfinder can show results for adoptable dogs, cats, rabbits, small animals, horses, birds, reptiles, pigs, and barnyard animals.
The Benefits of Adopting a Pet
There are so many benefits of adopting a pet, including:
Saving a life – as we said, adopting a pet from a shelter is not only saving the life of your new friend, but the animal that is going to take his or her place.
Cost – rescuing an animal from a shelter tends to cost significantly less than purchasing a pet through a breeder or pet store.
Up-to-date medically – animals in shelters are vaccinated and have been assessed for any health or behavioral problems, and they are also spayed or neutered prior to adoption.
Different breeds & ages – when you adopt a pet from a shelter, you can find a wide variety of breeds, types of animals, and ages to suit your lifestyle.
Happiness – of course, there’s the simple factor of happiness. Owning a pet can greatly improve your quality of life and overall happiness.
What to Do After You Adopt
After you’ve adopted your pet, the first thing you need to do as a new pet owner is schedule a general wellness exam. This gets your new pet started with all the necessary vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and more. Contact Germantown Vet today to schedule your appointment! Our highly skilled veterinarians can help you and your new pet start living a happy, healthy life together.
