By Jordan Karch

Portage County Humane Society volunteer/Amherst student

Looking for a new addition to your family? There are multiple ways to find a pet. You can find one on the streets or a farm nearby, you can pay to breed one, or you can adopt an animal.

The best of these options would probably be to adopt a pet. Adopting from an animal shelter will help an animal find a new home, and show them love especially if they’ve had a neglected or abused past.

This method is also much cheaper than pure-breeding a pet. A pure-bred animal can cost anywhere from $500-$3,000 because of the process and special medications it may have to take, not including the food and other supplies. An adopted pet will also need food and other things, but the adoption fees only go up to $250.

According to a Stevens Point Journal article in 2015, the price for adopting a puppy costs about $210, and that number only goes down the older a shelter dog gets, “Small breed dogs (25 pounds or less, mature weight) — $210; Dogs over 25 pounds — $160; Dogs 8 years old and up — $105; Puppies — $210.”

Cats are even cheaper! Nathan Vine, the author of this article, states, “Kittens 1 year old and under — $85; Cats 1-5 years old — $30; Cats 6 years old and up — $10.” Although finding a stray would be cheaper or paying to get a pure-bred would allow you to have the exact breed you want, the money you give to adopt the pet will go towards humane societies to help care for other animals who haven’t found a home yet.

 If you’re already ready to adopt an animal, the process is so easy. First, you go to the shelters and decide which pet you would like to adopt. Then you fill out the required paperwork to adopt the animal. Third, you will have to pay the adoption fee, if the shelter asks for one. Next, you will need to buy the supplies for your pet like food, bowls, a bed, and a crate, whatever you need. Finally, once the adoption gets approved, you can take your new best friend home.

Anyone can adopt a pet, as long as they’re old enough and willing to give them love. A few places near you to adopt would be the Humane Society of Portage County, the Humane Society of Waupaca County, the Adams County Animal Shelter, the New Life Pet Adoption Center, and the South Wood County Humane Society. Adopt your new family member today.