1.   -- It is usually a bad idea to adopt a pet with a major physical or behavioral abnormality.

2.   However, some humane societies offer gift certificates for adopting pets after the holiday season.

3.   People adopting pets this weekend will receive starter kits from Iams.

4.   State law allows veterinarians to kill or adopt abandoned pets.

5.   The North Shore Animal League turns down one out of every three people seeking to adopt a pet from its shelter, said Arms.

6.   When one pet is adopted, a new one takes its place.

7.   Animal shelters were closed to people wanting to adopt pets.