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So, you want to adopt a pet, huh? Great idea! Here are a few reasons why pet adoption is the loving option:
Saving Lives:
Whether you adopt a pet from a local animal shelter or a rescue
organization, humane society or SPCA, you're saving lives. That's
right: lives, as in more than one. I know, I know…you only want to
adopt one dog or cat, right? Adoption saves more than just the life of
the pet you adopt. If you adopt from an animal shelter, you're making
room for another dog or cat, or you're allowing other dogs or cats at
the shelter to be kept for a longer period of time, giving them a
better shot at being adopted. If you adopt from a humane society, an
SPCA or a rescue organization, you're allowing that organization to
rescue another dog or cat for adoption at a public shelter, which, of
course, saves the life of that little guy plus the lives of others at
that shelter by creating space so new pets can be kept longer. As you
can see, adoption is truly a continuous cycle of saving lives and it's
the right thing to do!
You know what you're getting (especially if you adopt an adult): There
are a lot of things to consider when you're deciding what kind of
personality your new family member should have. When you adopt an adult
dog or cat from a pet rescue, humane society or animal shelter instead
of buying a puppy or kitten at a dog breeder or a pet store, what you
see is what you get. Their personality is already developed, and you'll
be able to spot the characteristics you're looking for much more easily
than with a puppy or kitten. Pet rescue organizations, as well as many
animal shelter SPCAs and humane societies provide adoption counseling,
and are able to assess the personality of each dog or cat for adoption
and carefully match you up with the right one for your lifestyle. With
a puppy or kitten, there is a lot more guesswork involved. Sure, you
can train your puppy or kitten on certain behaviors, but other traits
(like activity level) seem to be inherent in each individual. Want to
adopt a dog or cat who will instantly fit in with your family? That's
easy when you adopt an adult from a humane society or SPCA, or from a
rescue organization or animal shelter!
Online pet adoption = an instant friend for life:
Ask anybody who has adopted a pet, and they'll swear their bond with
their rescued pal is as deep as they come. When you open your heart and
your home to a pet who needs help, they really do show their
appreciation for the rest of their life! Dogs or cats who have been
uprooted from their homes, or have had difficult beginnings are likely
to bond completely and deeply with their new human caretakers, whom
they regard as heroes. Pups and kitties who find themselves in the
shelter or at a rescue because of a death or other tragedy in their
former human family usually go through a mourning period. Once they are
adopted, however, they usually want nothing more than to please their
new hero---YOU! No matter what circumstances brought them to the
rescue, most cats and dogs for adoption are exceptionally affectionate
and attentive, and make extremely loyal companions.
Training and Socialization:
Many rescue organizations use foster homes, where puppies and kittens
for adoption are socialized with children and other dogs and cats, and
given basic obedience training before they go to their new homes. Many
dogs and cats in animal shelters and humane societies are already
housebroken, trained and ready to go! As an added bonus, many
organizations offer post-adoption workshops and training classes. When
you adopt from these animal shelters, you'll have their continued
support to help you through any rough spots you face during your dog or
and cat's transition.
A smarter option than buying a puppy or kitten from a backyard dog breeder or pet store: No
matter how "reputable" you think your local pet store is, they are
almost surely getting their puppies and kittens from one of two
sources: 1) a "backyard" cat or dog breeder, or 2) a puppy mill. The
majority of purebred dogs and cats are the product of irresponsible
"backyard" kitten and puppy breeders. These are people who make some
easy cash by breeding their purebred dogs and cats and they often also
sell puppies and kittens through the newspaper classified ads. Remember
if you buy a dog or buy a cat that most of these backyard dog breeders
and cat breeders don't know about breeding for favorable health and
temperament qualities, and they don't know how to raise a properly
socialized litter. Many of these little dogs and cats are weaned from
their mothers way too soon. Sometimes, a backyard dog breeder turns
into small-time puppy mill to increase their supply so you can buy a
dog from a pet store and they can make a higher profit. What are puppy
mills? A puppy mill is basically a purebred puppy factory farm where
the puppies are just churned out as fast as they can and then sold to
pet stores. The dogs are kept in small cages and forced to breed at
unhealthy rates… it's all about the money. Female dogs in puppy mills
are made to have several litters per year, which is extremely dangerous
and cruel. Each purebred puppy mill produces several different breeds
for pet stores, and pays little attention to the specific health and
genetic diseases due to inbreeding. Genetic health testing is almost
unheard of and mass-producing pets for profit is the bottom line. In
the worst puppy mills, horrifying conditions are the norm. How can you
stop puppy mills? There is only one way. Take away their profits.
Remember before you buy a dog or cat that adoption is the most humane
option! |
