Easter offers us a time to celebrate so many things, including family, re-birth, spring and second chances! For those reasons you may be thinking about giving a special animal a second chance by rescuing them and adding them to your family. Here are 10 reasons to start looking at your local shelter:

1. Shelter animals are awesome.
One of the big myths about shelter pets is that all of them have behavioral issues or have been rescued from abuse. Many shelter animals, however, end up there because their owners can no longer care for them due to aging, financial issues, divorce or housing issues.

2. Training.
Many shelter animals are already house trained and socialized. Some dogs even already understand basic commands like “sit” and “down”.

3. Your health.
Pets can help you maintain a healthier lifestyle. They provide both physical and mental health benefits. Walking your dog gets you to exercise too! Positive endorphins are released in your body when you play and cuddle with your cat, or pet your dog. That’s why so many people who adopt shelter animals say their shelter animal saved them.

4. The perfect match.
The shelter knows the animals personalities, temperament and needs. And if you adopt an adult, you’ll know their full grown size! For that reason, if you come in with a list of what you’re looking for in a companion, the shelter is the best when it comes to helping you achieve it.

5. You’ll save a life.
Each hour, every day, over 3,000 dogs and cats are born in the U.S. Many of these animals end up in shelters. When you bring a shelter animal into your home, you save them and make room for other animals that need our help.

6. A healthy companion.
Your shelter animal has been vetted, spayed or neutered, received their shots and has been treated for any pre-existing health issues. You’re getting a healthy companion when you get it from a shelter.

7. Affordability.
Shelter fees are so reasonable! If you go to the Collierville Animal Shelter, all animals are vetted, spay/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, given parasite prevention, and it’s still only a $50 adoption fee!

8. You’re an example.
When you adopt a shelter animal it encourages others to do the same or to visit their local shelter. Maybe even volunteer!

9. Cuddles, leans, smiles, purrs and cozying!
Your shelter animal will show you how much they love you in so many wonderful ways!

10. UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!
The grateful look in your shelter animal’s eyes and the way they greet you when you return home never leaves. When you adopt a friend from a shelter you have a devoted friend for life!
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By Julie Weaver
The mission of Collierville Animal Services is to provide animal control and safety for citizens of the Town of Collierville and to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the animals in our trust at the Collierville Animal Shelter. We do this by responsibly and humanely enforcing state, county and Town animal laws and ordinances. Animal Services is also responsible for responding to rabies control, bite calls, animal attacks, cruelty and neglect investigations, injured animal rescues, animal placement and adoption, and disaster rescue.
Collierville Animal Services is located at 559 E. South Street, Collierville. Call 901-457-2670 or come by to find your perfect companion!

*Update on Eleanor! (pictured above)
Newly adopted Sapphire (Eleanor’s new name) loves her kong toy with treats, follows her new owners everywhere, loves to ride in the car and loves to have her belly rubbed.