Why Adopt a Pet

Adopting a pet is not only an incredibly rewarding experience for you and your family, but also for that pet getting a second chance!

Adopters are incredibly thoughtful and generous people, opting to adopt a pet that has ultimately ended up homeless and in need of a chance at life.

Start by asking these questions:

1. Can I afford to care for a pet for many years to come?
2. What pet will suit my lifestyle?
3. Do I know how to appropriately care for a pet?

Read more about what you need to know before welcoming a pet into your home here.

Did you know that when you adopt, some of your initial pet costs are already covered?

1. Desexing. All RSPCA dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are already desexed before they do home with you. That can be hundreds of dollars' worth of savings compared to if you purchase an undesexed pet from a breeder. Not every breeder will desex their pets before you purchase.
   
   You can read about why you should desex your pets here.
2. Microchipping. The majority of RSPCA pets are microchipped - dogs, cats, birds, reptiles... so when you adopt, your details will be added to your pet's microchip. It's then over to you to update their microchip details should you ever move home or change your contact details like your phone number or email.
3. Health Checks and Vaccinations. All RSPCA animals are veterinary checked and given the appropriate vaccinations and medications like working and flea treatment for their species. Once you adopt, it's just up to you to keep those vaccinations, regular vet visits and ongoing medications up-to-date.
4. When you adopt a dog, cat, puppy or kitten from RSPCA Queensland, you also receive a free bag of Royal Canin pet food to continue them on the right diet in your home. For cat and kitten adoptions you'll also receive a free bag of kitty litter from Catmate.



5. Puppy socialisation and training. When you adopt a puppy from our Brisbane and Noosa shelters, your puppy adoption fee also includes a 6-week training course with our School for Pets team! Because we know how important it is to continue your puppy's learning and development during their formative years.
6. Post-Adoption Support. If you ever have a question about your adopted pet, we can help! You can contact us on 3426 9999 and ask to speak with our behaviour support team.

Physical health benefits

Research has shown that owning a pet can improve your health:

• Increased cardiovascular health (lower blood pressure, lower triglycerides and in men, lower cholesterol).
• Increased physical activity. Dogs especially hep us get out and enjoy the outdoors while getting some regular exercise. They are great motivators and 'pawsonal trainers', never wanting to miss a training session no matter the weather.
• Fewer visits to the doctor.
• Growing up with a dog (and other pets to a lesser extent) during infancy may help to strengthen the immune system and may reduce the risk of allergies.
• Children who have pets are less likely to miss days of school due to illness.

Psychological benefits

Research has also shown that owning a pet can have several psychological benefits:

• A study of school children showed that pet owners were more popular, but also seemed more empathetic.
• Those who have pets, including children or adolescents, have been shown to have higher self-esteem. Teenagers who own pets have a more positive outlook on life and report less loneliness, restlessness, despair and boredom.
• Pet owners report less depression and appear to cope with grief, stress and loss better than non-pet owners.
• Pets enhance social connectedness and social skills and are great conversation starters!
• Pets are also caregivers. They keep us company when we're sick or feeling down. They can make us feel safe while we're home alone and they keep an eye on the house while we're out.

View our RSPCA pets waiting for new homes here and apply online when you're ready to welcome a companion into your home and heart.

If you're not quite ready to adopt a pet and offer a life-long commitment to an animal but would like to help animals on a temporary basis, you can also consider becoming an RSPCA foster carer.

I currently have a full house of RSPCA adopted animals. As soon as I welcome my first kitten into my home with two existing dogs, I never looked back. She was the first cat I ever owned.

Adopting has been and continues to be such a rewarding experience.

Choosing to adopt, not shop is an honour and one that brings me so much joy every day. My house certainly will never be empty again while animals need help.

Share your honourable tail using #rspcatailsofhonour next time you boast about your pet.