If you have a pet from an animal shelter, you’re definitely not alone. Across the country, animal adoptions are on the rise. 

About 3 million shelter animals are now adopted annually, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). And a recent investigation by The New York Times found that in many cities across the U.S., it’s more likely for a shelter pet to find a home than be put down. That wasn’t always the case.

What’s driving this pet-friendly shift? “Rescuing an animal has become a badge of honor,” explains Matt Bershadker of the ASPCA.