Did you know that, according to the ASPCA, there are 7.6 million potential pets entered into animals shelters every year all across the country? Or, that only approximately 2.7 million of those animals end up getting adopted? There are millions of cats, dogs, and other animals placed into these shelters because they faced neglect, abuse, or have poor health and their owners don’t want to deal with them.
There are countless benefits to adopting an animal from a shelter rather than buying from a breeder or a pet store. Most dogs from stores and breeders come from puppy mills, which are “factory style” facilities that are used for breeding. The dogs here live in isolated, poor conditions. The profit the owners can make from these dogs is more important than the welfare of the dogs. By adopting from animal shelters, you are saving an animal’s life. When animals aren’t adopted by a certain point in their animal shelter life, they are euthanized to make space for new animals coming in. Most shelter animals are already housetrained which is a big plus when getting a new animal. They also often come with vaccinations, microchips and are spayed/neutered. At animal shelters you can almost always find a pet to match your personality, no matter how quirky you are! People stand by their decision to adopt rather than shop, as having an animal from a shelter teaches you how to be more nurturing. Many shelter animals have gone through abuse, they can be weak and refuse to eat. But after getting to know your animal and vice versa, they can be the ones to teach you how to be patient and kind. Adopt, Don’t Shop is a worthy cause that doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves.