I highly recommend adopting a pet from an animal shelter. Not only will you save a life but you'll enhance your own. Yes, the shelter can be sad for you. It’s also a place where many animals get their first regular meals and kind treatment. The overworked staff may not seem grateful that you would like to help because they spend most of each day helping people give up pets who “didn’t work out”. Simply reassure the staff that you are ready to make a commitment to the right pet. 

Don’t Worry: Adult animals have no trouble bonding to new people.
Social animals, such as dogs, cats, horses and birds form new relationships throughout their lives naturally. Of course animals miss their families and their old routines, even if they were not well cared for. They may fear being left behind until you assure them that you will always come back but they need a family to survive and accept new ones.

Don’t Worry: Stray animals make wonderful pets.
Most strays have had human caretakers at some point in their lives. Evidence of this is the number of strays that are spayed and neutered. Most are grateful for food and shelter and happy to comply with house rules, as soon as you explain them.

Exception: If stray animals have puppies and kittens who have not ever had human contact, these feral babies will decide which humans to trust on a case by case basis. Animal shelter staff can advise you about helping a feral animal fit into your household. 

Don’t Worry: Second hand pets do not all have problems.
People give up pets everyday for reasons as simple as "sheds hair" or "needs exercise". Since all dogs and cats shed and require exercise, these are not problem pets. People can make a mistake when they acquire a pet by buying on impulse or taking a pet they don’t really want. All pets, especially puppies and kittens will get into trouble if unsupervised. If you have concerns about a particular animal's history, ask the shelter staff for recommendations.   

Don’t Worry: Animals from the shelter are not all abused or traumatized.
Many dogs cower and flinch when approached by a stranger, especially a tall or assertive person. Cats often resist touch from a new person. This behavior is not an indication that the animal was abused. Some lack social skills. The best remedy for these pets is a new home. Abused animals are often outgoing and friendly but may be unresponsive to common training methods. If an animal has been mistreated by people, you will need to go the extra mile and hire a professional trainer from the beginning.

You can find adoptable animals near you at petfinder.com .