Annually, 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in America, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Adopting a pet from an animal shelter or animal rescue has numerous benefits. First and foremost, you’re saving a life.

Adopting from an animal shelter or pet rescue means your likely adopting a homeless animal from your own community. While animal shelters tend to have veterinarian and trained staff on hand and offer adoption in a more formal kennel setting; pet rescues may be run out of an individual’s home with the aid of pet-loving volunteers. However, both work to find the best match that benefits both the adoptee and the adapter. For instance, many pet rescues have guidelines in place for fostering first, and if that works out, adoption with a standard fee. Most animal shelters and pet rescues require the animal be socialized and spayed or neutered before a loving family can take their new furry friend home. Here are a few reasons why adopting a pet is so great:

1. You make room for animals in need
As mentioned a shocking 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in the U.S. because they are not adopted. When you adopt rather than buying one from a breeder, you not only save one life, you also free shelter space for another animal in need and save their life as well.

2. Adopting a pet for mental and physical health
Many folks adopt a pet for companionship, but the benefits of pet ownership offer so many psychological, emotional and physical benefits aside from reducing feelings of loneliness. For instance, 2013 research from the American Heart Association (AHA) found that pet ownership reduced stress, cholesterol, high blood pressure, and the risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly with dog ownership if you’re walking your pooch daily.

3. Say no to kitty and puppy mills
I know the puppies are cute in the pet store, but if you’re tempted to buy a pup or kitty from a pet store, flea market, consider their most likely from a kitty or puppy mill, which use factory breeding facilities, typically in poor condition with no medical care. This means for the steep price, you’re getting an animal that may be sick, overbred, with little human contact. However, by adopting, you put your money towards animal rescue, not animals for profit.

4. Most are already housetrained
There are many staff and volunteers working diligently at animal shelters and rescues to socialize adoptable animals. For instance, most animal shelters and rescues work with volunteers who spend hours handling, cuddling, feeding, grooming, playing with, and walking resident dogs and kitties. This means most are friendly and house-trained before their put up for adoption.

5. Adopting is inexpensive
When you consider buying a pet from a breeder, the dollar signs can soar into the thousands. However, a pet shelters and rescues generally charge a standard adoption fee (usually $50 to 100) that only covers the cost of spaying or neutering, initial vaccinations and veterinary exam in the price. Depending on where you adopt from, most rescue animals are already housebroken and trained, which saves more on expenses.