Would you rather adopt and animal from a shelter/animal rescue or buy one from a pet store or breeder?

Question

Personally I think that it is better to adopt from a shelter because not only do you get the stisfaction knowing you saved his or her's life but you get a loving furry family member in the process.

Answer 1

It depends on what I want the dog for. Currently all my dogs are adopted (well 3 are adopted and 1 I am fostering). But the next dog that comes into my home (not including fosters) will probably be one that I have purchased specifically for competition/breeding purposes. There are so many wonderful pet quality dogs available in the world it is a shame that there aren't enough people to take care of them. But there certainly are valid reasons for wanting to purchase from a RESPONSIBLE breeder (and never a pet store).

Answer 2

I don't buy animals from a breeder. I have two purebred pit bulls from an animal shelter 25% of animals at a shelter are purebred. I also got a retriever from a friend who couldn't afford them all and a beagle from a family member that neglected him. We also buy horses from auctions abused and neglected. Depending on the animal shelter they can put dogs to sleep after being there so long. They also have no kill animal shelters where they only put them down if they are sick and they can't afford medical care. Buying from a pet store and a breeder is not all bad either your pets health is guaranteed. If the health is not right you can switch animals or return them and get your money back. Also breeding animals does confirm the breed sticking around. Where ever people get their pets is up to them and I'm sure they have a reason for picking that spot. Mine was because they needed a home and I could give them that and love and the care they need.

Answer 3

Well I adopted from a shelter --- I got a cat.
First of all if you are going to adopt from a shelter --- make sure you and the members of the household visit the shelter many times before adopting a pet. Some pets have been in the system for years and they do not belong in your home ---- I had to do my homework when it came to adopting a pet from the shelter--- there was another cat I liked a whole lot better --- but I wanted to see how the animal truly was so I made several visits at different times during the week--- I am so glad that I did --- because the shy little cat with the sweet disposition was only like that after she had been put in a time out cage for being a holy terror - very aggressive and destructive.... I was fortunate to see her in action one evening.....

Answer 4

I will never buy another dog from a pet store, this is not "saving them," as doing so only encourages puppy mills and backyard breeders to continue irresponsibly pumping out puppies (you're essentially supporting their "habit"). I would buy from a REPUTABLE breeder, one who actually shows dogs and is attempting to improve or maintain the quality of the breed (helps to go through AKC or whatever breed-specific association there is in your country). Of course at the same time I'm not a breeder and don't show my dogs so can't exactly afford to shell out $1000's of dollars for a quality puppy. That's where, if I want a purebred dog, I turn to breed-specific rescues. I am also more than willing to check out shelters, as some of the best dogs we've ever had have been mutts, but what makes me sick is that half the dogs that end up there started out in pet stores or in the backyards of ignorant or greedy people who thought they'd show their children the "miracle of life" and let Fifi have a litter or thought "I want a dog just like Sadie!" so let her breed but only wanted one and not six of her so dump the other five at the pound, or thought "Hey I can get rich selling *fill in breed here*! Let's buy two and let them breed!" and something goes wrong and the ones who aren't put to sleep from the irresponsible ownership are dumped in the pound and IF ordinances are allowed are attempted to be adopted out, but often end up put to sleep anyway because they are overbred and people are afraid of them now due to all the idiots who think they're gonna be macho and parade their "scary" pitbull/doberman/shepherd/mastiff down the street. And no, taking a picture of your 5 year old holding the litter of puppies in their lap doesn't make them worth any more, and being "raised with children" doesn't guarantee their health OR TEMPERMENT either.

Sorry I'll get off my soapbox, needless to say I feel strongly about this issue.

Answer 5

Yeah, I agree. I would definitely adopt from a shelter, it's so much better because you get the great feeling of knowing you saved that pets life. Plus, you can adopt pets of all ages at a shelter unlike at a pet store where you can only adopt puppies that could have temperment or behavior problems.

Answer 6

I agree with you, and that's kind of my current dilemma right now because I have to move and I probably won't be able to bring my 3 cats with me, but as soon as I get my place back again I want them with me, so I was thinking about taking them to the Humane
Society's no-kill shelter , and maybe, I don't think so, but maybe they would keep them there for me for a month or two? I don't know, but anyway yes...all the animals that are in shelters need families more than the ones with price tags. Or better yet, go to Tijuana and ask the locals where's the closest dog or cat that needs a home? Because I live here, and I wish to God I had enough land to pick up every single dog or cat I see that's on the streets and hungry and dirty and limping so I can take care of them.

Answer 7

Adopt from a shelter or animal rescue ALL the WAY~!!!
currently I have 3 cats and 2 dogs... all from shelters. (same with previous pets) I would never get an animal anywhere else.

Answer 8

I'd rather adopt ananimal from a shelter/animal rescue since they don't have any family and they're like orphans. But just be careful 'cause you wouldn't know if the dog have a disease. Better check the dog first to a vet. And be friendly because animals rescued tends to be sensitive and moody. Good luck!

Answer 9

The answer is not an easy one. It is a very personal choice either way. God Bless the animals at the shelters and resuces. But for me I will only find my best friend from a breeder/litter. I feel that if you raise your best friend from about 6-7 weeks to where they only know YOU and your habits/personality, they will be a much more loving, devoted and loyal friend. Pets raised from a puppy have no "memories" or "flashbacks" from any type of abuse or mishandling that may have happened in their past. Good Luck!

Answer 10

Adopt. Pet stores sell puppy mill dogs and breeders contribute to overpopulation. Did you know only 1 in every 10 dogs purchased gets to stay in a forever home. 6 of those dogs relinquished will be euthanized, 2 will be shuttled from foster home to shelter to foster home to shelter for the remainder of their days and only 1 will find a forever home from a shelter.