Adopting a pet is a major decision. Pets require lots of time, money, and commitment. Pet ownership can be very rewarding, but please think it through BEFORE you adopt.

If you decide to adopt, please contact your local humane society and pet shelter! Several million dogs and cats are euthanized in America each year because they are unwanted. This is a terrible waste. Even if you are not in the market for a pet, your local animal shelters can always use your help and donations.

The first week in November is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, and these shelters do so much more than finding unwanted animals new homes. They also check out cases of abuse, rescue animals during disasters (house pets and wild animals), protect endangered animals, make sure that animals used in research are well cared for, and many other things.

You can support the Humane Society or your local animal shelter by donating money, food, old blankets, towels, and most importantly, your time. Volunteers feed, bath, walk and play with the animals, as well as clean the kennels.

If you are looking for a Humane Society or local animal shelter, the best place to look is in the phone book under animal control, animal shelters, or humane society. It is also possible that a local veterinarian or police officer may be able to point you in the right direction. If you have tried these other resources to no avail, you can contact the Humane Society of the United States online at www.hsus.org .

Many shelters also have web sites that show pictures of the pets that they have up for adoption. You can e-mail them for more specific information about a pet in question, before actually visiting the shelter. Also, if you happen to be missing a pet, this is the best place to start looking, because many web sites have lists and photos of stray animals that have been picked up. A shelter will generally hold a stray animal for a certain period of time, before placing that pet up for adoption. In most cases, an animal must be at least 7 weeks old before being adopted.

While finding unwanted pets new homes is very important to these groups, they do have requirements for adoptive families. The pet will usually be spayed or neutered before leaving the shelter. If you adopt a pet that is not old enough for this procedure, you will be given a coupon that can be taken to a local vet when the animal is of age. This coupon will generally be for a great reduction in the cost of the spaying or neutering.

Some adoptive families are even run through a checking process, which requires filling out paperwork one day, then returning a day or so later to pick up their new addition. This may seem strict, but the shelter wants to ensure that these animals are going to a good home.

All shelters will also issue you a license and any other tags your pet will need. Before being adopted, pets are given all of their shots and are wormed.

While all shelters will screen any animals for health and behavior problems, most of these pets will never be adopted. All pets put up for adoption will go through a adjustment process at your home. Be patient and loving because your pet will require a little time to get used to you and its new surroundings.

It does cost to adopt a pet, so check with your local shelter for their specific costs. Adopting a pet that has been spayed or neutered is generally cheaper than adopting a pet that requires the procedure. There is an additional charge for rabies shots.

Many of us have a soft spot in our hearts for any pet that is unwanted. The next time you are looking for a pet or have a few extra dollars, go visit your local pet shelter or Humane Society, you will be very glad you did.