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Adopting Pets from the Animal Shelter
Adopting an animal from the animal shelter is just about the best method in obtaining a pet. Animal shelters are very trustworthy and they offer loving pets in need of a home at an inexpensive price. The most rewarding benefit of adopting an animal from an animal shelter is saving an animal's life. "Sadly, between 3 and 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year in the United States simply because too many people give up their pets and too few people adopt from shelters" (The Humane Society of the United States, 2011). The amount of euthanized pets can be dramatically reduced if more people adopt pets rather than buy them. By adopting from a private humane society, animal shelter, breed rescue organization, or local animal control agency, one can help save two lives; the pet being adopted and a homeless animal that can use the space that has been made available.
Benefits of Adopting a Pet
There are many benefits that can come out of adopting a pet including the pleasure of gaining a lifetime companion filled with unconditional love and loyalty.
- Most animals are neutered/spayed or there is a very inexpensive fee to have the animal fixed
- Most animals are up-to-date with vaccinations and are worm-free
- Adoption of animals help reduce the overpopulation of animals in society
- Mature animals are house-trained
- Shelter pets have great temperaments and will want to please their new owners
Buying Pets from Pet Stores
Buying puppies or kittens from pet stores is probably one of the worst options in obtaining a pet. According to Dogster about puppy mills, dogs are often bred far too frequently, are kept cramped together in squalor, and are not socialized with humans. In addition, these breeders do not always care about the health and strength of the breed, which often results in genetic illnesses, poor health in general and unlikable personality traits. What most people don't know is that many of these animals are shipped off and sold in most pet stores.
Why Shouldn't You Buy a Pet from a Pet Store?
Even though that puppy may be cute behind the window of a pet store, many of them can carry a lot of problems with them. Some reasons why one shouldn't buy a pet from a pet store include:
- Bad health
- No or limited human interaction and socialization
- Behavioral problems
- Expensive price for an unhealthy animal
- Housebreaking difficulty
From personal experience, both of my dogs were bought from a local pet store and both have had health problems surfacing since they were brought home. Unfortunately, it is very costly in paying for medications, prescription foods, and having to care for animals that will never really be cured. Tommy, my youngest dog, was born with inguinal hernias (a hereditary illness that can only be passed down from the dog's mother) and the pet store failed to mention it to me at the time of purchase. Later on, I found out that breeders are recommended by veterinarians to not breed dogs with inguinal hernias because it is very painful for the puppies being born with it and may cause death to the mother and pups. Just as PETA states, pet shops treat puppies, kittens, birds, hamsters, mice, rabbits, and other animals as if they were fashion accessories and sell them to anyone who plunks down a credit card.
Buying Pets from Breeders
Buying a pet from a breeder is usually the moderate option between adopting from animal shelters and buying pets from pet stores. "[Good breeders] are careful about breeding; have healthy, well-cared for dogs; belong to dog clubs or breeder organizations; and usually enter their dogs in shows. They try to eliminate health problems by screening their dogs for genetic disease. They keep current on information regarding vaccinations, canine medicine, and genetics" (Fortney, n.d.). To find a good breeder, ask your veterinarian for a referral. If a veterinarian recommends the breeder, you'll be set on the right road for getting a good quality pet.
If there are good breeders, there are bad breeders. According to Kim Campbell Thornton's article Buying a dog? Beware of breeder, "if you're looking to get a new dog, recent headlines no doubt have warned you against buying an animal from illegal 'puppy mills' run by unlicensed breeders. But don't be fooled into thinking that legal, licensed breeders and those with registration papers are a guarantee of a healthy puppy either". She continues on with her article and reports, "When the Humane Society of the United States released a video last month charging that a Los Angeles pet store, Pets of Bel Air, purchased its pricey puppies from puppy mills, the store responded on its Web site with a statement that its dogs were purchased from pet breeders approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and that it relied on the USDA to inspect breeders and their premises".
Remember to always check out the breeder before purchasing a puppy or kitten from him or her. Make sure that the breeder has a valid license, good reputation, belongs to many organizations, and provides adequate veterinary care for all of their animals including mothers, fathers, and babies. Whether you decide to purchase a new pet or give advice to someone who is thinking about purchasing a pet, try to adopt from the animal shelters or find a good breeder. Try to stay away from pet store animals, but if you can't pass off that cute face behind that glass window, check out where the puppy or kitten comes from and make sure they don't come from a puppy mill.
Works Cited
Fortney, D. W. (n.d.). Buying a Dog From a Breeder. Retrieved February 27, 2013, from Animal Planet: http://www.animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/hot-to-choose-a-pet-dog5.htm
Perrett, G. (n.d.). Adopting Pets With A Past: Welcoming Rescued Pets into the Family is Both Rewarding and Beneficial. Retrieved February 27, 2013, from Western Pennsylvania Humane Society: http://www.wpahumanesociety.org/PetsWithAPast.html
The Humane Society of the United States. (2011, December 12). Top Five Reason to Adopt. Retrieved February 27, 2013, from The Humane Society of the United States: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/adopt/tips/top_reasons_adopt.html
This was a really interesting post, and I think that you have one excellent place to expand: why did you get your pets from a pet store? At the time, were you unaware of the reputation?
ReplyDeleteThe first two dogs I had were from a Cargigan Corgi breeder. I never had pets growing up (we were out and about too much), so I had it firmly set in my mind that I wanted to get a Cardi after long research. And then, I had to get Mcfly a sister (Dale) a year later. But then I got into the animal rights and treatment movement, and I realized quite a lot about what you say above. So years later, my next two dogs were from the ASPCA.
The issue is that pet adoption from any source is risky. We adopted Molly and Maggie when they were 8; they're 15 now, with heart murmurs, mammary tumors, ACL injuries, etc. And the story we got from the ASPCA about how they were surrendered doesn't seem like the truth. We think that they were puppy mill breeding dogs who couldn't have any more litters.
So what is someone to do when adopting a pet from a shelter? Are the health risks less likely?
My parents and I used to have a pet dog named Mino who was a mixed German Shepherd and Rottweiler when I was really young. We sadly had to give him away due to the troubles he caused (scaring the neighbors, roaming around the neighborhood, etc). I have not had a pet since then and even so, I've unfortunately picked up allergies to fur like my mother. This greatly saddens me because I really do love pets and would definitely not mind one.
ReplyDeleteYour article was insightful should I ever seek to get a pet. I knew that pet stores had history for neglect and what not but I was not aware of how bad it was to adopt from pet stores. I've never thought to buy a pet from a breeder as I thought it'd be more expensive.
I'd like to know more about the pro and cons to each tactic though. Since I am no pet owner and not experienced with pets, my assumption is that adopting from a pet store would be more easier and convenient than adopting from an adoption center or breeder.
Good read though, thanks for sharing!