You’re at that time in your life when you can finally add a furry new member to the family. Whatever your lifestyle, you must decide where to go to get your pet. Most people are usually faced with two options for choosing a new dog or cat: local animal shelters and stores/breeders. Choosing between the two can be a tough choice, but if you weigh out the pros and cons of each, the answer shouldn’t surprise you. Right?

You might have to be patient to find that purebred Golden Retriever or Poodle puppy you’ve always wanted in a shelter, but the shelter is full of incredible, loving mutts who would be forever grateful for being rescued.

Adoption counsels work hard to ensure you find the perfect match for your lifestyle and family. But most importantly, by adopting from a shelter, you are not only saving the life of one animal, but many. Adopting an animal reduces the number of homeless animals and combats overpopulation through support of spay and neuter efforts.

Pets are treasured as family members in millions of homes around the world. Many studies show that people who have pets tend to be happier, more independent and feel more secure than those without pets.

There are many factors to take into consideration when choosing your new pet. The first decision you must make is what kind of pet you would like to get. The key to enjoying a healthy and satisfying relationship with your new pet is to realistically choose one whose size and personality are most compatible with your lifestyle.

There is a longstanding debate in the animal lover community about the benefits of owning a purebred pet versus a mixed breed. There are of course pros and cons to each, and your decision depends heavily on what you value in a pet.

Purebreds are usually easier to predict, both in terms of how large they will grow and what they will look like in addition to what you can expect from their personalities. They might be a better choice if you have specific qualities you are looking for in a pet, or if you plan to show them. On the other hand, a mixed breed pet would be a truly unique, one-of-a-kind friend. And if you get one as an adult, you’ll have a pretty good idea of what size they are and what their personality is like. Mixed breed animals are also less prone to developing genetically inherited diseases, and tend to live longer, healthier lives than their purebred counterparts.

At the end of the day, whether you prefer a purebred or a one-of-a-kind companion, there are plenty of both in need of adoption at animal shelters and rescue groups across the country. As a nation we can solve the problems of pet overpopulation and unnecessary euthanasia in shelters, by opening our minds, hearts and homes to shelter animals. Most shelters or rescue groups have photos and descriptions of adoptable animals listed on their websites or at Petfinder.org, which allows you to browse listings and search nationwide for specific types of pets.