Each year, there are thousands of documented animal cruelty cases and many more that go unreported. I am a strong advocate of animal adoption because no animal should be treated poorly. Here are ten facts that will make you adopt your next pet because all animals should be loved – not mistreated.

Animal Abuse Statistics

According to Statistic Brain Research Institute, on average, there are 1,920 animal cruelty cases reported each year. 60 percent of these cases include dogs, particularly 26 percent involving pit bulls. The most common form of animal abuse is neglect with 32 percent of cases including abandonment. More terrifying is that 11 percent of cases include shooting animals and another 13 percent include hoarding, or keeping too many animals in unsanitary conditions.

Furthermore, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that approximately 6.5 million animals enter the United States animal shelters nationwide every year. Due to the tremendous number of shelter animals, the Humane Society found that about 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized because there is just no room. The Humane Society also reports that approximately 2 million puppies are sold from puppy mills while only 1.6 million shelter animals are adopted each year.

What You Can Do

Together we can make a change and stop animal cruelty. An excellent way to help prevent animal abuse is by adopting your next pet instead of buying online or from a pet store. Puppy mills are known for their animal mistreatment. By adopting a dog or cat from your local shelter, you are not only protesting puppy mills, but you are also saving a life. If everyone adopted an animal instead of buying from a mill, we would far less (if any!) euthanized animals. It’s important to remember that most pets sold online or at a pet store from some type of mill. No matter how convincingly the site or store portrays how well the animals are cared for, the reality could be dozens or hundreds of pets warehoused for breeding and living in poor conditions. It is also essential to report animal abuse to your local animal shelter or police.

 
There is a shocking number of reported cruelty cases – and many more that are undocumented. Help prevent animal abuse by adopting your next pet and saving a life. Start by visiting your local animal shelter or go online to PetFinder.com to find the perfect pet for your home.

Lisa Landman is a strong advocate of adopting pets and has six rescue dogs! Want to see photos of her dogs? Check our her dog gallery or Twitter!