Why You Should Adopt, Not Shop
If you’re considering owning a cat or dog, or you know someone who is in the market, it is important to get all the facts before you choose how to go about buying your pet. The two most common ways of acquiring an animal are either adopting it from a shelter or buying it from a breeder, the latter being much more expensive and time-consuming. Many people do not think that animal shelters will carry the breed they are looking for, so they will choose to go through a breeder. This can be a dangerous way to acquire an animal because many breeders mistreat their animals and keep them in overcrowded and unhealthy conditions. When it comes to owning a pet, the best way to go is through adoption. Not only are you saving an animal’s life, but you’re getting it for much cheaper and in a more humane way.
Common Misconceptions About Animal Shelters
When people think of an animal shelter, they might equate it to a dirty room filled with dogs or cats that are unwanted due to bad behavior or health problems. The reality is that a lot of these animals are either found on the streets as strays or surrendered from an owner that can no longer care for them. Additionally, most animal shelters will have a large variety of breeds, shapes, and sizes that you might be interested in. The volunteers at these shelters take the time and energy to learn about each individual animal they come in contact with, deciding if it is good with children, needs a lot of exercise, or likes to be around other animals. Unlike pet stores, shelters also put prospective pet owners through a rigorous background check to make sure they are a good fit for the pet they want to adopt. Animal shelters are also not just for dogs and cats, a lot of shelters will take in other animals like rabbits, lizards, guinea pigs, and mice. And even if you don’t find the perfect pet the first time you visit a shelter, if you visit a week or two later, there will be always be newer pets that have been taken in.
The Problem with Breeders and Pet Shops
Not all breeders are bad, but a lot of breeders are simply adding to the overpopulation of animals on the planet. Because there is already such an epidemic with strays and homeless animals all over, breeders are not really helping the problem at all by adding more to that number. These breeders are interested in making money on their own and selling their animals like a product rather than like a living creature with real needs. Consequently, these animals are usually mistreated and live in poor conditions with overcrowding to make room for all the “products” to sell. In addition, pet shops also sell animals just to replace them with more animals that come from terrible conditions. They do not usually question someone who wants to buy an animal, so these animals could be going into terrible homes without anyone knowing.
The Pros of Choosing Adoption
If you choose to adopt from a shelter, you are saving an animal’s life who might otherwise be put down due to overcrowding or moved several times to different shelters. By adopting these animals, you’re also making room for more adoptable animals to come in. These animals could also already be trained before you even take them home, making your life a lot easier from the get go. These animals will know that you are the one that took them home and away from the shelter, so they will be grateful and sweet to you. You would also be saving a lot of money since most shelters have very inexpensive fees you have to pay before adopting, whereas breeders and pet stores will charge a higher flat fee for your animal. Additionally, most shelters require you to get your animal neutered or spayed prior to taking it home, helping to control the number of stray or unwanted animals. Depending on if the shelter is registered as non-profit, these fees for vaccinations and medications can even be tax-deductible.
Other Ways to Help
So, maybe you’re not exactly in the market to buy an animal and make a 10–15-year commitment to another living creature. Well, that’s just fine. Animals in shelters are always excited to have people visit, so even if you don’t want to adopt an animal right now, volunteering or donating can make a huge impact. I used to volunteer at an animal shelter in Virginia Beach and I found the experience very rewarding, because animals really just crave human love and compassion, so giving them that company made a huge difference to them. Even spreading awareness of how dangerous breeders can be could always make a difference, even if it’s just one person who sees it. Remember: adopt, don’t shop, you can make the difference in one animal’s life at any given moment.
