If you've been thinking of adding a furry friend to your family, there's no greater time than the present. With the number of home foreclosures soaring, more and more people are being forced to surrender their pets to shelters nationwide. Wonderful animals of every size, breed, and personality need new homes, simply because their owners have become unable to care for them. You can help by adopting a pet through your local shelter.

Adopting a homeless animal is simply the right thing to do. Yes, you'll have that warm glow from knowing you've saved a life, but there are many other excellent reasons to adopt from your local shelter or rescue group.

Adopting is also less expensive than buying from a pet store or breeder. In many shelters the cost of adoption also includes training materials, vaccinations, and spaying and neutering surgery -- in some cases even follow-up veterinary care is offered. What's more, the pets available for adoption at most shelters and rescue groups have already been screened for major health and behavior problems.

If You Are Facing Foreclosure

If you already own a pet and are dealing with financial problems, ask your local shelter if they offer any programs to help pet owners in this situation. There is information available that will help strapped families care for their pets. Some shelters partner with food banks to distribute pet food and other supplies. Some work with veterinarians to provide assistance with vaccinations and other veterinary care. If you are feeling your budget beginning to tighten, do away with superfluous purchases for your pet, such as expensive toys and other needless accessories. Also, consider taking your dog to a vaccination clinic instead of seeing your regular vet for any necessary shots. This can save you money on the inoculations themselves, as well as eliminate the cost of an office visit.

Most importantly, don't leave your pet behind. Ask friends, family members, and neighbors if they can take your pet for you temporarily. This may give you enough time to get back on your feet and resume the care of your animal. If you move to an apartment, make sure your pet will be allowed to move with you. Avoid verbal agreements -- get it in writing to avoid a problem down the road.

Finally, if all else fails, contact your local animal shelter, humane society, or rescue group. They are there to help you if you truly have no other option than giving up your pet.

This article is provided by our friends at AniMed, the nation's leading resource for pet care information.