Should You Adopt of Shop?

If you’ve spent any time among animal lovers, you’ve likely heard someone say to adopt or shop responsibly when considering adding a new pet to the family. Its message is hard to miss–either adopt your pet from a rescue/shelter, or purchase your pet from an ethical breeder. You’ll also find that plenty of people within the animal community prefer one over the other.

But what if you’re not sure if you want to adopt or shop? Is one truly better than the other? That depends on what you're looking for because there are pros and cons to each option. Below is a general guide of what one should consider when adopting or purchasing a pet.

Adoption

• You save a life. That’s probably the most rewarding aspect of adopting. City shelters are overrun with stray and owner-surrendered pets, and rescues can only take in so many before they reach capacity. There are more animals than there are fosters and adopters, so shelters often resort to euthanasia to free up space.

• Adoption fees are usually cheaper than a breeder’s sale price. Having a pet will certainly get expensive over the years, but there’s a difference between spending a huge amount all at once and a huge amount over time. Adoption fees can range from $100 to $500, depending on where you’re adopting from. Some places might have special programs or events where they reduce or even waive adoption costs entirely.

• You may have a hard time finding a purebred. Lots of different breeds find themselves in shelters and rescues, but it’s more often than not the mixed and common breeds who end up there. For example, according to a survey done by the NAIA Shelter Project back in 2015, it was discovered that only about 5% of purebred dogs were found in shelters, 2% of which is made up of chihuahuas and pitbulls. While the study was done almost ten years ago, I don’t think much has changed.

• The animal’s past might be a complete mystery. If a pet is surrendered to the shelter or a rescue, their previous owner may be able to provide some insight into the animal’s past, personality, and temperament. That’s not the case for found strays, where no one knows where they came from or what kind of life they had. Adopting a pet with little to no information on their background could lead to some unexpected behavioral or health issues that you weren’t prepared for. 

Shopping

• You can buy your preferred breed, especially if what you’re looking for is a purebred. Let’s face it, some of us have a clear picture of what kind of animal we want, and there could be multiple reasons as to why only that breed will do. The chances of getting exactly what you want are higher when purchased from a breeder who specializes in that breed, particularly if the breed is uncommon and rarely found in shelters and rescues. 

• There are no surprises in terms of temperament and health if you buy from an ethical breeder . An ethical breeder will do their due diligence by getting the animals vetted and vaccinated before you take them home, and since you buy them young, there are no black holes in the animal’s past that could negatively impact their temperament or personalities. 

• Expect a high price tag. Much like shelters and rescues, how much you spend will depend on where you are and who you buy your pet from. You may spend anywhere from $500 to $2500. A responsible breeder will incur costs such as veterinary bills, housing, and food, which cuts into the net profits they make on the purchase price. Hence why they charge so much. 

• You may encounter unsavory breeders. I mentioned ethical breeders more than once for a reason. Unethical breeders only care about their profits and nothing else. They will cut corners at the expense of their animal’s health and safety. They will overbreed the female and sell the litter before they are ready to leave mom. They may tell you your new pet is from good stock and had their vaccines only for neither to be true. Unethical breeders come in all shapes and sizes, so do your research and avoid them.

Now that you have some information to mull over, don't rush into making a decision just yet. Take your time to consider the pros and cons, and then move forward with whatever option you feel is best for you, your family, and the animal.
  

And so it begins...

I've always had a passion for writing, but a blog about pets wasn't on my bingo card. Don't get me wrong, I've toyed with the idea of blogging before, and I have so many feelings when it comes to animals. One could say that I should've tried my hand at blogging a long time ago. However, a combination of anxiety, low self-esteem, and imposter syndrome made it difficult for me to try. And yet, there was always a desire to share and connect with those who loved animals as much as I do. If I had the space and money, I'd build a dog and cat sanctuary, or maybe operate a bookstore where customers could cuddle with adoptable animals (especially seniors—I have a soft spot for them). 

So, what changed? I decided to go to therapy, and it has helped me push past insecurities that were holding me back. After plenty of sessions and a few conversations with my husband, I finally took the plunge. It was a slow plunge, with this post alone taking me weeks to draft, but it's here. I'm proud of taking this step, because over the years my desire to touch on topics about animals only grew stronger.

If you're anything like me, you’re passionate about animals. You probably have your own share of opinions when it comes to them. You might not agree with everything I say, but I want to emphasize that this blog isn't here to tell anyone what to do or how to feel. That's not up to me. What I want to do is start conversations, provide information, educate, and even share some feel-good stories. In turn, I could learn from readers like you. You might give me a different perspective that I hadn't considered before, or provide me with information that I didn't know existed until you told me about it. At the end of the day, I think our end goals are the same, which is to give these animals a voice. 

I have two senior furbabies: a twelve-year-old dog and a seventeen-year-old cat. I also have a red-eared slider that I've had for twenty years. Sometimes I can’t help but think of where they’d be if they were in the wrong hands. What if they were being abused and neglected? What if they were being used in dogfights? What if they were wandering down the streets, constantly in danger of being attacked by a wild animal or getting hit by a car? 

Thankfully, they’re here with me, safe and sound. That doesn't stop me from thinking about the ones who aren't safe and sound. The ones who are currently sitting in shelters and rescues, waiting for a home to call their own. The ones who lost their lives before they even knew what a loving home was. If we amplify the voices of animals, then we might be able to bring changes to the way they are viewed and treated. 

Speaking of Paws is merely a blip in a sea of blogs right now, and I have no idea what kind of impact it’ll have. It might not have any impact at all in the grand scheme of things, but I can try my best. Is it scary? Yes. I’m terrified. Like I’ve mentioned, I have anxiety issues and no one is more critical of me than myself. I almost don’t want to embark on this newfound journey, but that's letting my fears win. So, I’ll put one foot—or maybe paw?—in front of the other and see where it takes me.