Would you rather adopt a pet from a shelter or "buy" one from a breeder/store, etc?

Question

I adopted a previously abused dog and he is SO happy now (and spoiled)!

Answer 1

I would happily get a dog from a shelter, it would be hard to choose though, I would want them all .. .. ....

Answer 2

So far, it seems unanimous. I would greatly prefer to adopt a pet from a shelter, than to purchase one. There are probably hundreds of good reasons to do so, but here are my top reasons...

First, the pets you adopt from a shelter generally have death sentences. Even if they're not on a "kill" list, they're eventually going to be put down if they aren't adopted. If you adopt an animal, you're saving its life, and usually the animal is eternally grateful for that.

Second, some animal breeders---private breeders, or those who supply animals to pet stores---do not care for the animals' welfare. They care only about money. of course, I am not referring to ALL animal breeders! But there are some who allow animals to live in filthy, unhealthy conditions, or otherwise abuse the animals they raise. Adopting a pet from a shelter will shrink the market for such animals, and hopefully put the less-reputable breeders out of business.

Third--and this applies specifically to dogs: a shelter dog is usually a mutt, and mutts tend to be generally healthier than full-breed dogs. Even if you find the world's most reputable dog breeder, a full-breed dog may have inherent health problems (bone problems, etc).

Answer 3

I have 5 cats and 3 dogs right now. 2 Siamese I raised myself and they were born in my house. 3 cats I rescued from an abandonment situation. My first Chihuahua was a freebie that someone else had rescued after she was injured from an accident. She is my favorite. The second chi was adopted from a rescue organization I found on Facebook. She had a rough adjustment period but she is doing great now---she is an older dog with some medical issues but is so very happy and cute! The third dog is one my husband found abandoned on the side of the road in the country. I am currently looking to find her a good home with children to play with. She looks to be a heeler/shepherd cross and is about 6-9 months old---she is a big, playful puppy. All my animals have unique personalities and I Iove them all. I don't have children so they really serve to keep me happily busy taking care of them all! I wish I could help save a lot more animals from these shelters and rescues---there are so many animals abandoned and on death row---their little lives are snuffed out by the thousands every day . . . I recommend adoption!!!

Answer 4

It's probably best if most people would adopt pets from the shelters. Part of the reason is that there are too many abandoned pets from irresponsible people who don't bother to get their animals neutered and spayed. Or they buy a new pet without learning about the breed and when they find the animal's attributes don't match their needs and/or personality, they dump the animal.

Unfortunately, in many cases, buying from stores encourages back yard breeders of the worst kind as many stores unknowingly buy from the bad BRB's.

Since I moved from city to farm and have a lot to learn, but needed guardian dogs, I bought from farm breeders to ensure that my dogs would know how to do their job, and I knew how to work with puppies.

You do have a lot to learn about your pet if it's a rescue animal and I had too much else to learn so I couldn't handle a rescue dog. I did rescue my barn cats, however.

Answer 5

Dedicated to adopting from shelters. I happen to like mixed breeds (mutts), so I am not hung up on a specific breed, but if people are looking for a specific breed, they can often find one at the shelter - it just takes a little time and patience.
On the couch (yes, I'm a softie) in the other room is a wonderful mixed breed I got from a shelter when she was 6. She is the best dog. When I got her, she was a completely different dog. Wouldn't set foot into a kitchen, didn't beg, didn't get up on furniture, but also very meek, not very affectionate, and very stand-offish. Six years later, I've ruined her. The couch is hers, and she gets underfoot in the kitchen, but she is affectionate, happy, healthy for her age, and a great companion.
Sigh. I wish she didn't have to get old.

Answer 6

I would rather adopt a pet from a shelter and give it a good home. That way to save it from living in a shelter. I also have a dog living with us right now, when we got it, it was in bad shape. It had procopine quills in her snout. We had to take her to the vets to help her. Now she's a lazy old dog. lol so happy is she.

Answer 7

I, too, have a happy dog who came from a shelter. She was not completely without her challenges, but she had her strengths, too (yay! She was already house-trained! And fixed.) And to see the dog she is today... Well, she's great.
I will always, always, adopt my pets from shelters. There are so many good animals in shelters I cannot even imagine "buying" one.

Answer 8

Adopt, always. The only reason to ever buy a dog from a breeder is to feed your own ego by showing the dog in competitions.

Answer 9

I adopted my Sammy (German Shephard/Collie mix) from the humane society in southern Indiana. She was also abused, very skitish around people. But after having her around us for 8 months she is spoiled rotten!!!!! I would choose her over any "top" breed at a pet store.

Answer 10

Shelter (or the street). I adopted 2 lovely homeless kittens from the street years ago. They are now grown up, spoilt and pampered. Also happily sharing my bed with me.

Answer 11

I love to adopt because you can make a better life for some dog or cat that needs love.