It’s almost winter and you know what that means: impossible lines at Target and wrestling Grandma for the last can of cranberry sauce in aisle five. But as the holiday season creeps around the corner, the furry friends of Trenton Animal Shelter and Animal Allies wag their tails even harder. If anyone is thinking of welcoming a new member to the family, pet adoption might be worth the try!

Trenton Animal Shelter, located at 72 Escher St, Trenton, New Jersey, is home to a number of rescued pets just itching to find their forever families. Their adoption prices are currently $120 for dogs and $100 for cats, which includes vaccines as well as spaying and nurturing. Another local animal shelter is Animal Allies, they can be found at 140 E Hanover St, Trenton, New Jersey.

You may be wondering: Is it better to adopt rather than purchase a pet from a pet store? We say, “Yes!” For starters, you’re saving a life when you adopt! Most of the puppies and kittens found at pet stores are from puppy or kitten mills that produce pets for the sake of turning a profit. Unlike pet stores, animals adopted from a shelter are usually vaccinated and have been checked by a veterinarian for any underlying illnesses.

Another pro to adopting is you have the option of any age! Puppies and kittens are cute but there are also plenty of adult or older pets that are in need of a good belly rub as well. Adult pets might be a good fit for you if you see yourself having less time to care for a puppy or kitten. For example, adult pets are typically already house-trained and know basic commands or cues. And besides, who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?

By this point, hopefully you’re excited to research further into pet adoption, but before you set out to find your new four-legged family member, For All Animals, a national animal humanitarian organization, has a few pre-adoption tips. Their article, Guide to Adopting: What animal is right for you?, asks the question: “What’s your lifestyle like?” If you find yourself out of the house majority of the day, a cat might be a better option rather than a dog that requires a lot of attention.

But if you’re simply interested in learning about animal shelters and aren’t ready to adopt just yet, donations are always accepted to local shelters and even national nonprofits like the ASPCA. Pulling it back on a local scale though, the Trenton Animal Shelter accepts donations such as food, toys or any pet supplies from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

For more information on animal adoption in Trenton or for making donations, please contact the Trenton Animal Shelter at 609-989-3254 or Animal Allies at 609-737-2380!

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