Animal shelters in Utah are overflowing and overwhelmed, as there is an increasing number of stray animals and others are being abandoned or surrendered. By adopting these animals, you can support shelters rather than inhumane breeders. You can help the fight against pet overpopulation and save an animal’s life.
The Humane Society of Utah reported a 78% increase in pets abandoned in 2024. Despite most shelters in Utah being no-kill, these organizations are working to address the issue of too many animals being brought in and not enough being adopted out.
According to Best Friends Animal Society, if only 6% of the population planning to get a pet chose to adopt, all U.S. shelters could be no-kill.
The journey of a shelter animal
As an animal is brought to a shelter, there is a series of proceedings they go through before they are ready to be adopted. The first part of this process is intake, shelter staff attempt to identify the animal, either through a microchip or a tag and potentially reach out to owners. A veterinary exam determines the health of the animal.
Once suitable for adoption, the pet enters the shelter’s system. These pets receive a bed, food and an hour of enrichment or exercise a day. Yet, this process is a difficult one for pets. The unusual, unpredictable and loud environment in the shelter can be scary for pets. They can become anxious and frustrated.
These animals are experiencing an extreme change in their lives. And for some pets, a schedule is very important for their health, just as it is for us humans. They lose control over their environment. The extended confinement in cages or a kennel, especially for extended periods of time, can be highly stressful.
Picture yourself locked in a small space surrounded by people constantly talking. You are isolated and not receiving social attention, except for a limited amount of your day. This is how a dog in a kennel feels.
Adopt or foster
Puppy mills and kitten mills, which supply pet stores and sell them online, are widely considered inhumane because they prioritize profit over the true well-being of the pets. These animals face severe abuse and neglect. With extreme confinement, unsanitary environment, lack of veterinary care to cut costs, malnourishment and dehydration are some of the inhumane conditions these pets face.
Females are bred at every opportunity without sufficient time to recover between litters. When they are no longer able to reproduce, they are often abandoned or killed.
When you adopt a pet, you are not only saving their lives by giving them a home and love, but you are also opening a spot for another animal. That spot rescues another animal. In 2024, 425,000 dogs and cats were killed in shelters in the U.S., as they didn’t find a home.
Besides saving a life, there are numerous other reasons for adoption. You can choose a pet at any stage of life that fits your lifestyle and you will have a community that wants to support you. It can be more affordable to adopt, as it includes vaccinations, microchipping and spaying/neutering.
Fostering pets greatly helps shelters that are overcrowded, as it opens up another space for another animal to use. A temporary home is an answer for shelters struggling with limited space and resources.
A dog’s story
On a long drive from New York to California, Mazinani Nazinani found his best friend.
Six years ago, while driving across Utah in search of a new pet, Nazinani headed toward American Fork. During his trip, he came across an online post about a puppy, and he quickly changed his route, heading instead toward Bountiful. “As soon as I saw him, I knew I wanted this guy,” he said.
Nazinani found his loyal companion from a family that recently purchased a house and a puppy. The wife of the family liked the house, but she didn’t want the puppy. They wanted to kick the four-month-old out. “I think buying a dog is almost mean, because there are so many dogs that you can adopt,” Nazinani said.
The puppy received his name, Aalloo Del Monte, named after a tuxedo cat who belonged to Nazinani’s mother. Along with a name and love, Aalloo received lots of food. He is living a happy and fulfilling life in a spacious backyard and loving home. Nazinani takes great care of his loyal companion, making sure he walks at least 45 minutes in the morning and has lots of play time.
Adoption can save more than one life. Fostering helps animal shelters rescue other animals. Although there are ways to ethically purchase a pet, there is a special type of compassion that comes with adopting one. Adopting and supporting an animal shelter means you are giving an animal a forever loving home.
A pet might be just a small part of your story, but to them, you’re their entire world.
