As the animal shelter crisis continues in the U.S., with 5.8 million cats and dogs entering shelters and rescues in 2025, animal advocate Hannah Shaw is encouraging people to consider adopting pets from shelters. Shaw, who has adopted cats and dogs herself, knows that the idea of bringing home a new pet can be overwhelming, but she stresses the importance of keeping an open mind when visiting a shelter.

Adoption Tips from Hannah Shaw

Shaw suggests starting by simply visiting a shelter or attending an adoption event, and being open to meeting different animals. ‘See who you might meet — you might be surprised by who you fall in love with,’ she said. Shaw also emphasizes the importance of not having a rigid idea of what you’re looking for in a pet, as you may be surprised by the animal you bond with.

For those who are hesitant to adopt due to concerns about being a perfect pet owner, Shaw reassures that it’s not necessary to be perfect. ‘You don’t need to be perfect to adopt,’ she said. ‘You really just have to have an open mind and an open heart and have love to give.’ Shaw also notes that adoption counselors and other resources are available to help match you with the right pet for your home and lifestyle.

In addition to adoption, there are other ways to help shelter animals, such as fostering pets or volunteering at a local shelter. Shaw has partnered with Hill’s Pet Nutrition to promote adoptions during the Clear The Shelters campaign, which runs throughout the month of August.

Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.