The most common way people get a pet is as a gift, followed by taking in stray. Which, according to new poll AP-Petside.
About four in 10 pet owners say at least one of their pet at this time given to them by friends or family, while a third said they have pets that appear on their doorstep.
Shelters and breeders are next on the list as a source for pets.
Thirty percent of those surveyed said they were adopted through the shelter,
and about the same percentage of getting a pet from a breeder. One of the six
buying animals in pet stores.
More than half of pet owners who polled said they were already in
animal shelter at some point.