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Ad Council

Ad Council x Autism Speaks

These adorable shelter pets are eager to prove that adopting is the way to go.

When you're ready to get a pet, why not make adoption your first choice?

True

There are tons of reasons to adopt when you're looking for a pet.

Before you make your decision, though, these adopted pets would like to weigh in.

[rebelmouse-image 19527181 dam="1" original_size="1200x654" caption="Image courtesy of Lucky and Doxie, via Angela Maria/Instagram." expand=1]Image courtesy of Lucky and Doxie, via Angela Maria/Instagram.

Did you know that if just 10% of the families who plan to get pets in the next year choose to adopt, all the dogs and cats currently entering shelters will have homes? You could help make a big difference!

And if that's not enough to convince you, why don't you hear what the adopted pet community has to say? Lots of pets are adopted through The Shelter Pet Project, which is a joint effort between The Humane Society of the United States, Maddie's Fund, J. Walter Thompson New York, and The Ad Council to make shelters and rescue groups the first place that potential pet-owners turn to when looking to add a friend to their family.

When the rescue pets heard what The Shelter Pet Project was doing, they wanted to help. They even made a video! Watch:

Yup, shelter pets are definitely social media-savvy.

[rebelmouse-image 19527182 dam="1" original_size="480x478" caption="GIF courtesy of Meatball via David Minkin/Instragram." expand=1]GIF courtesy of Meatball via David Minkin/Instragram.

And ready to hang out with you, whether you want to stay in all day...

[rebelmouse-image 19527183 dam="1" original_size="589x590" caption="Image courtesy of Harvey/Instagram." expand=1]Image courtesy of Harvey/Instagram.

...and all night...

[rebelmouse-image 19527184 dam="1" original_size="565x465" caption="Image courtesy of Ruby via Barbara Davis/Instagram." expand=1]Image courtesy of Ruby via Barbara Davis/Instagram.

...or if you want to hit the town!

[rebelmouse-image 19527185 dam="1" original_size="479x599" caption="Image courtesy of Andy the Pomeranian/Instagram." expand=1]Image courtesy of Andy the Pomeranian/Instagram.

Want a beach bud? Your rescue pup is by your side:

[rebelmouse-image 19527186 dam="1" original_size="590x590" caption="Image courtesy of Jelly the Frenchie/Instagram." expand=1]Image courtesy of Jelly the Frenchie/Instagram.

Or perhaps you'd rather be on the water?

[rebelmouse-image 19527187 dam="1" original_size="601x599" caption="Image courtesy of Bea and Emmylou via Leeann McCollum/Instagram." expand=1]Image courtesy of Bea and Emmylou via Leeann McCollum/Instagram.

Or you can stay on land and stretch out in the sun!

[rebelmouse-image 19527188 dam="1" original_size="384x380" caption="GIF courtesy of Barry via Emma White Turle/Instagram." expand=1]GIF courtesy of Barry via Emma White Turle/Instagram.

How about a gardening buddy?

[rebelmouse-image 19527189 dam="1" original_size="479x592" caption="Photo courtesy of Bonnie." expand=1]Photo courtesy of Bonnie.

Or a dinner date:

[rebelmouse-image 19527190 dam="1" original_size="441x441" caption="Photo courtesy of Holly/Kellyanne Lark." expand=1]Photo courtesy of Holly/Kellyanne Lark.

You'll always have a buddy to keep you from getting bored:

[rebelmouse-image 19527191 dam="1" original_size="590x589" caption="Image courtesy of Butters McGillicuddy/Instagram." expand=1]Image courtesy of Butters McGillicuddy/Instagram.

[rebelmouse-image 19527192 dam="1" original_size="386x480" caption="GIF courtesy of Ella/Instagram." expand=1]GIF courtesy of Ella/Instagram.

...or to make a gloomy day a little brighter.

[rebelmouse-image 19527193 dam="1" original_size="510x500" caption="Photo courtesy of Henry." expand=1]Photo courtesy of Henry.

Even if you already have pets, why not consider adding an adopted pet to the family? Many adopted pets are eager to make friends!

[rebelmouse-image 19527194 dam="1" original_size="589x404" caption="Image courtesy of Chowder, Buddy, and Jackson via Elise/Instagram." expand=1]Image courtesy of Chowder, Buddy, and Jackson via Elise/Instagram.

"Most pets end up homeless through no fault of their own ... meaning shelters and rescue groups are full of wonderful, family-ready pets," writes Kenny Lamberti, acting vice president of the companion animals department at The Humane Society of the United States in an email.

Rescue pets are every bit as cuddly, lovable, and ready to fit into your home as any animal out there. And, says Lamberti, "whether you want a dog, cat, rabbit, parakeet or hamster, shelters often have the best selection of animals anywhere."

See for yourself: Use The Shelter Pet Project's site to find adoptable dogs and cats or shelters near you and see who's out there looking for a new home. (And even if you're not ready to adopt, lots of shelters need fosters and volunteers, so there are plenty of ways to help out.)

[rebelmouse-image 19527195 dam="1" original_size="1200x715" caption="Image courtesy of Cali and Oscar/Instagram." expand=1]Image courtesy of Cali and Oscar/Instagram.

Pretty soon, you could be snuggling with an adopted pet of your own!

Family

5 things you should know before getting a pet rabbit this Easter.

Rabbits make great pets — not-so-great Easter presents.

Every year, just after Easter, animal shelters like Chicago's Red Door are inundated with rabbits found outside. As it turns out, many of these abandoned rabbits were given as Easter presents.

Since Easter 2015, Red Door has taken in 83 pet rabbits abandoned outside after the holiday. And those are the lucky ones. According to shelter president, Marcia Coburn, many face a much worse fate, such as being attacked by predators or facing disease.

Simply put, the rabbits we bring into our homes aren't like the rabbits you might find hopping around your backyard. To "free" your pet rabbit is usually a cruel bunny death sentence.

And that number is just for one shelter. All photos from Red Door Animal Shelter/Facebook, used with permission.

But let's say you're set on getting a bunny. There are some basic things anybody considering getting a pet rabbit needs to know.

1. They're an 8-12-year commitment.

When given proper care, rabbits can live up to 12 years. So before you go out and pick up a cute and fluffy friend, make sure you're ready to give it the long-term love it needs.

2. You'll need to find a veterinarian who deals with exotic pets like rabbits (obviously), ferrets, birds, and mice.

"The medicine is completely different for them from cats and dogs," says Coburn. "Even some of the basic antibiotics they give cats and dogs can be fatal to a rabbit." That's why it's important to find a vet who knows what they're doing.

Oh, and it's really important that you get your pet rabbit spayed or neutered.

3. They're not exactly a great pet for little kids.

They don't like being picked up, they get very territorial, and they might not be the best choice of pet if you've got young ones living at home. Which is just one reason why bringing home an Easter rabbit for your kids is just not the best idea.

4. You can't keep rabbits caged up all the time — at least you shouldn't.

Yes, this means "bunny-proofing" your apartment, and yes, this means dedicating some time each day to the rabbit. "Rabbits are very social animals, and they need to interact with people down on the rabbit's level," Coburn adds.

5. They can't live on carrots.

Rabbits need to have fresh hay and salads. When it comes to carrots, however, that should be an occasional treat. "Bugs Bunny really did not do rabbits a favor because everybody thinks [they eat carrots], but really, it's the equivalent of us eating 20 Snickers bars," says Coburn.

Shelters like Red Door do everything they can to save these lovable creatures, and the best thing you can do to help is to think long and hard about whether a rabbit is right for you before getting one.

They're lovable creatures, and they deserve equally loving homes. Some peg the amount of rabbits purchased on Easter that end up being abandoned as high as 80%. Do your part and think through whether a rabbit is right for you before getting one.

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A pet store chain wants to set up shop in Boston. Boston isn't having it.

Bravo, Boston.

There are up to 10,000 puppy mills across the U.S.

That's more than enough to keep an animal lover awake at night.

Have you heard about these places? They're overcrowded and operate largely under the radar. Careless breeding practices means generations of dogs with health defects are born into unsanitary conditions, and female dogs are overbred and often killed once they are no longer of use, according to the ASPCA.

Poppy, an adorable contestant in the 2007 "World's Ugliest Dog" competition, had been rescued from a puppy mill and adopted, like many of her competitors. We love you, Poppy! Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images.

These places are sickening, to say the least.

The City of Boston has had enough — enough to take legal action, that is.

Currently, no pet stores in Boston sell animals from commercial breeders (go Boston!), but a pet store chain had plans to make its way into the city limits.

On March 2, 2016, Boston's city council unanimously approved the "puppy mill bill," which bans commercial breeders from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits in the city. Mayor Martin J. Walsh signed it into law last week, The Boston Globe reported.

“This is a very important piece of legislation that goes after the inhumane factories known as puppy mills,”explained Councilor Matt O’Malley, who proposed the ban. “It will also prohibit the sale of dogs on the street corner or in parking lots.”

The law was a preemptive one. And the good news is, it appears the new measure may complicate the pet store chain's plans to set up shop in Beantown.

I'd guess this pudgy pup — who wears its Red Sox pride for all to see — would approve of the city's "puppy mill bill." Photo by Robert Sullivan/AFP/Getty Images.

This month is really shaping up to be big one for animal welfare advocates (and a lousy one for puppy mills).

Just a few states away, a smaller city dealt commercial breeders yet another blow.

The city council of Grove City, Ohio, just passed a similar law to Boston's — one that bans pet stores from selling animals obtained from puppy mills.

The ban means all animals sold in Grove City need to be from shelters or rescues, 10TV News in Columbus reported.

It may be a smaller market than Bah-sten, but still — pretty damn cool.

Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images.

“If people really did their research and really knew what they were buying and how those animals were treated, I think that most people would not buy those dogs," Kristen Ebsen, who supported the ban, told 10TV News. "So I just want to let people know if they're considering buying a dog from a pet store, really do your research."

Can I get a hell yeah for Boston and Grove City?

The best part about all of this is that you don't need to live in Boston or Grove City to fight back against puppy mills.

Like Ebsen noted, the more people realize where their pets come from, the more likely they are to adopt a rescue than contribute to the puppy mill economy.

If you're in the market to welcome a new (furry) family member, you can find a shelter near you. Our four-legged friends thank you for it.