The Magic of Pet Adoption
Did you know that two-thirds of American households have at least one pet? Dogs, cats, fish, rabbits, and more are beloved family members for many who can’t imagine a life without their furry friends. The joy of sharing your home with a pet is beautiful, but it should not be done without understanding and long-term commitment
Today, the most common way people acquire animals is from a breeder or store, followed by shelters. Breeding of all kinds is typically done in crowded and unsanitary conditions, where dogs and cats are forced to have babies over and over again and are eventually killed when their bodies can no longer support reproduction. These operations may be known as commercial breeders, puppy/kitten mills, backyard breeders, or simply appear as breeders on internet postings, but all of them exploit animals for profit. Pet stores are included in this category as they source their animals from breeding operations.
The alternative to for-profit operations is adoption. The benefits of rescue are immense. Adopted animals are typically spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Some dogs might even already be potty trained! Animals may be strays, surrenders, or rescued from puppy/kitten mills, testing, or illegal fighting. Many breeds are often available, including hypoallergenic. Mixed breeds are known to suffer fewer inherited diseases and may live longer than those who were bred, but for those that do want a specific breed, about a fourth of shelter animals are purebreds, too. Shelter staff are also incredibly knowledgeable about their animals and can help find perfect matches for humans and pets.
Adopting an animal is the compassionate choice for someone looking to add a companion to their family. However, it is vital to understand the commitment involved. This does vary by species and individual animal, but in all cases, there are financial, time, and emotional obligations to treating your furry child just as you would a human one, even when they misbehave. The benefits of having a pet far outweigh the costs for most, but given that the surrender of animals still makes up a significant percentage of shelter intakes and the countless social media posts of people trying to get rid of an animal they previously committed to, understanding and accepting these responsibilities are vital before adoption.
Shelters and rescues around the country continue to reach capacity limits. Being full means they cannot save any more animals, and more will be euthanized or sold for testing. Here at R2R, we have been in search of a family for Theo, an abandoned Belgian Malinois who loves attention. To learn more about Theo and apply to be an adoption hero, visit the adopt page of our website.
By choosing to adopt an animal, you are showing that there is no need for animals to be forced-bred for the sake of profits. Indeed, you are not only saving the life of an animal that needs rescue at a shelter today, but you are also saving the lives of other animals who won’t be abused in the future.
~ by Alisa Marvel