why adopt?

Every week, newspaper ads and pet stores advertise purebred English bulldogs, labs and exotic Malteses for anywhere between $500 and $1,400 per puppy. While there's a market for purebred puppies, there are so many dogs or cats out there looking for a home.

Here's the deal: You can certainly buy a purebred puppy, but adopting a pet cat or dog from a shelter will cost you less and be so much more rewarding. Not only are you giving an animal a second lease on life, but you're supporting the organizations that save these animals and you've got yourself a friend for life.

There are numerous organizations in Hawaii -- with differing philosophies -- but the overall goal is the same: to get animals adopted out to a home.

Here is what you get when you adopt from the Hawaiian Humane Society:

» Low fee: Adoption of cats and dogs is just $65. For dogs there's an additional $10 for a county license. Rabbits and smaller animals are $30 and less.

» Free care and microchip: Cats and dogs adopted from the Humane Society come spayed and neutered, with a microchip ID and first round of vaccinations, as well as deworming and a flea/tick preventative. There is also behavioral assistance for the pet's lifetime.

» Free initial vet care: The Humane Society offers vet care up to two weeks after adoption. Participating vets also offer a free initial checkup for adopted pets.

» Discounts: Many dog training and obedience classes also offer discounts for an adopted dog.

» A 30-day refund: The pets can be returned for a full refund of the adoption fee during a 30-day period. (But believe me, if they're like Kona, they seem to know this because she was on her best behavior the first 30 days.)

» Senior-for-seniors: The Humane Society is offering free adoption of a dog, or up to two cats ages 6 and older, to seniors age 60 and older.

There are other options, like working with a dog rescue group, a no-kill shelter like the Hawaii Dog Foundation, the fairly new Oahu SPCA, or taking in a re-homed pet instead of buying one new from a store.