The other day I asked my mom, “What’s the difference between pet store animals and shelter animals?” It was a question that had been bugging me because everyone always says to adopt and not to buy, but don’t all the animals need homes?
She replied,” Pet store animals are bred so that the breeders can make money. People adopt pets from pet stores, then decide they don’t want them, so they bring them to a shelter. This adds to the population of shelter animals, whereas animals who are adopted and then brought back to the shelter, are not adding to the shelter population.”
This made a lot of sense to me. Pet stores shouldn’t hold animals, maybe have a store cat or something, but not animals to sell. All they should sell are pet supplies. Pet stores are great for pet supplies, they have almost anything you need for your pet. And of course the pet store animals need homes too, but if someone buys one, they should make sure they are really going to take care of it. Eventually, I think pet store should only sell pet supplies, and maybe fish. (I don’t think you can adopt fish, only buy).
Also, it is just better to rescue/adopt an animal. There are so many reasons why people choose to buy instead of adopt. They choose to buy because there are many rumors about shelter animals. One rumor is that they carry more diseases. Even if they do, the shelter will bring the animals to the vet. Another reason people won’t adopt is because they think shelter animals are meaner than other animals. For example, there are many pit bulls at shelters. Pit bulls are usually poorly treated and trained to fight. Then the owner decides they don’t want the dog anymore, so they abandon it or something. But pit bulls, can be really sweet. There are many more rumors, those are just a few.
Please, if you’re someone who is thinking of getting a pet, please adopt. Get your supplies at a pet store, but please please get your animal at a shelter.
Comments
as you may know very well than me these days blogs are cropping up all over the place.most people starting such blogs think,they can write anyway and anything on there blog which is definately not true.but your blog solely stands out for your writing style,it is actually quite engrossing.keep at it.
First, I agree with Carlie’s comment — it is always a pleasure to read your interesting and heart-felt blog.
Second, the more people actually see what great dogs and cats there are in shelters,
I think the less they will want to buy a pet from a store. So increasing awareness about how all kinds of great pets can be found at shelters can help. Some people are set on only wanting a certain breed of pet, and they think that only mixed-breed animals are at the shelters. So I like to let them know that all kinds of pets, including pedigree animals, are often abandoned at shelters.
One way to increase awareness is to let people know that they can volunteer to walk dogs at the shelters, without making a commitment to take them home. A lot of people aren’t aware of this. It’s fun to walk the dogs and give them some affection and stimulation. And the more people walk them, the more socialized the shelter dogs become, and therefore the more likely they are to become adopted, because they’ll be happier, friendlier, and better-behaved the next time someone comes to the shelter looking for a pet.
Author
Wow, thank you for your very helpful comment, and your wonderful idea about volunteering.