Adopt Don’t Shop is about much much more than a cute little slogan, it is an urgent plea to the public to change the way they bring animals into their homes.
There are shelters and rescues bursting at the seams with loving and adorable animals in all shapes, sizes and age bracket. Sure, they might be “gently used” but quite honestly you will never find a more satisfying experience than saving the life of an animal in need.
Consider this, when you adopt a (for the purpose of this article I will say dog) dog from a rescue or shelter, that dog comes with a little bit of human exposure which may include training and socialization skills. Add to that the fact that your adoption fee covers in most cases a spay or neuter, immunizations, tattooing and sometimes a bag of food for somewhere in the ball park of $300.
Purchasing a dog from a breeder for anywhere from $800 and up will get you a pure bred but, with that price tag come the additional expenses of the spay/neuter, immunizations and the time investment of training a puppy from the ground up. The reason I most often hear that people want a store bought dog is for the purity of breed or because puppies are so cute.
There are shelters and rescues bursting at the seams with loving and adorable animals in all shapes, sizes and age bracket. Sure, they might be “gently used” but quite honestly you will never find a more satisfying experience than saving the life of an animal in need.
Consider this, when you adopt a (for the purpose of this article I will say dog) dog from a rescue or shelter, that dog comes with a little bit of human exposure which may include training and socialization skills. Add to that the fact that your adoption fee covers in most cases a spay or neuter, immunizations, tattooing and sometimes a bag of food for somewhere in the ball park of $300.
Purchasing a dog from a breeder for anywhere from $800 and up will get you a pure bred but, with that price tag come the additional expenses of the spay/neuter, immunizations and the time investment of training a puppy from the ground up. The reason I most often hear that people want a store bought dog is for the purity of breed or because puppies are so cute.
SIGH. Newsflash, there are puppies in rescue, check them out!
Puppies, ladies and gentlemen, all grow up. And, FYI, not all breeders are reputable. Without getting into horrifying details surrounding puppy mills, some adult dogs are kept strictly confined with zero or next to no care and, bred to death to provide profit to the owner. That isn’t something that makes me feel very good. What are your thoughts?
With so many options to adopt your next family member, for a fraction of the cost, why look any further than your local shelter or rescue organization? Foster families or shelter directors are equipped to advise the temperament, energy level, appetite, snore velocity, intelligence, snuggle factor, of their dogs in care. This is a super upside when deciding on bringing an animal home. Dogs are rated to indicate things like “cat tested” and “prefer a home with no small children” as well as personality and any crazy quirks your future fur baby may have.
Puppies, ladies and gentlemen, all grow up. And, FYI, not all breeders are reputable. Without getting into horrifying details surrounding puppy mills, some adult dogs are kept strictly confined with zero or next to no care and, bred to death to provide profit to the owner. That isn’t something that makes me feel very good. What are your thoughts?
With so many options to adopt your next family member, for a fraction of the cost, why look any further than your local shelter or rescue organization? Foster families or shelter directors are equipped to advise the temperament, energy level, appetite, snore velocity, intelligence, snuggle factor, of their dogs in care. This is a super upside when deciding on bringing an animal home. Dogs are rated to indicate things like “cat tested” and “prefer a home with no small children” as well as personality and any crazy quirks your future fur baby may have.
When I was looking to adopt, my girls Foster Mama told me that Lacie was good with cats, was laid back and, had a stubborn streak a mile wide. You know what? She was right! But, I was prepared for that when I brought her home. I knew exactly where she was with her training and leash manners. I knew what time she liked to eat and that sometimes, she likes to poop in the basement.
Being mentally prepared for a new pet is SO half the battle, why not let your local shelter director take you for a tour of the facility and introduce dogs compatible with your lifestyle? Or, email an adoptions coordinator at a few different rescues and describe your wants & likes.
Example 1: Hi, I’m a sloth and I want a lazy dog to channel surf while couch potato-ing with me, can you suggest a few dogs for me to meet? Is there a photo album online I could browse through?
Example 2: Hello, I’m a single, active person looking for a running partner, I love camping and the beach, is there a dog in foster care (or at your shelter) that would be a good match for me?
Example 3: Hi, I have 3 kids and a cat; I’m looking for a medium energy dog to fit in with my family. I would prefer a dog under 40lbs if possible, can you suggest a match for my family please?
See how easy? So please, ADOPT, don’t shop!
Being mentally prepared for a new pet is SO half the battle, why not let your local shelter director take you for a tour of the facility and introduce dogs compatible with your lifestyle? Or, email an adoptions coordinator at a few different rescues and describe your wants & likes.
Example 1: Hi, I’m a sloth and I want a lazy dog to channel surf while couch potato-ing with me, can you suggest a few dogs for me to meet? Is there a photo album online I could browse through?
Example 2: Hello, I’m a single, active person looking for a running partner, I love camping and the beach, is there a dog in foster care (or at your shelter) that would be a good match for me?
Example 3: Hi, I have 3 kids and a cat; I’m looking for a medium energy dog to fit in with my family. I would prefer a dog under 40lbs if possible, can you suggest a match for my family please?
See how easy? So please, ADOPT, don’t shop!
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