SIX REASONS WHY ADOPTING IS BETTER THAN BUYING FROM A PET STORE
1. ADOPTING A DOG FROM A FOSTER OR SHELTER, YOU WILL SAVE A LIFE.
Almost 3 Million dogs are euthanized each year, in the US alone. The estimated number of stray animals in Europe is 100 Million (Source: ESDAW). Many of these die on the street, never experiencing the warmth of being in a family; never fulfilling a dog’s raison-d-etre: to serve his family and in return being loved. So if you save a life you can truly claim that “Saving one dog will probably not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change FOREVER”. (Karen Davison)
2. CHANCES ARE THAT YOU BUY A DOG FROM A PET STORE THAT HAS BEEN BRED FROM PUPPY MILLS WHERE DOGS ARE KEPT UNDER HORRIBLE CONDITIONS TO BREED UNTIL DISCARDED.
While there are responsible breeders, chances are that you might buy a dog from a pet store that has been bred from irresponsible puppy mills where dogs are kept under horrible conditions to breed until they are discarded. Puppy Mills are intense, often illegal, dog breeding facilities whose conditions fail to meet basic dog's needs. Those conditions include solitary confinement or overcrowded housing, inadequate or absence of veterinary care and filthy living conditions. Those puppy mills often take puppies away far too early from their mothers, whilst mother dogs will be impregnated until they cannot have puppies anymore, in which case they are discarded. If you want to learn more about the puppy Mill industry, there are many articles on the internet. However, we would advise to go to reliable sources, such as from renowned animal welfare organizations like RSPCA, ASPCA, Four Paws as well as Newspapers, like The Guardian, Daily Mail, Huffington Post and others (with focus on Europe) only to name a few. Bottom line, you can never be sure when buying from a pet store.
3. RESCUE DOGS OFTEN MAKE INCREDIBLE TRANSFORMATIONS AND ARE MUCH MORE GRATEFUL TO HIS NEW LOVING FOREVER HOME.
Most rescue dogs were abandoned for reasons that have nothing to do with any behavioral problems. During their time on the street, it is most likely that they had bad experiences. Once placed in a new loving forever home, dogs make incredible transformation with patience, love and care, which is just wonderful if you can be part of that and will have an even more loyal dog for life. Because your dog knows that you are the one who has given him or her a second chance and saved him.
4. Many PRE-OWNED DOGS COME HOUSE TRAINED.
5. WITH AN ADULT RESCUE DOG YOU WILL KNOW WHETHER HIS PERSONALITY WILL MATCH YOURS.
Unfortunately adult rescue dogs often have it harder to find a new home. Not because they don’t have incredible personalities, but because many people prefer puppies. The beauty about adult dogs (whether 2 or 12 years old) is that they already have developed their personalities and this can avoid surprises. When you meet the dog, you will easily tell whether the energy level fits with yours. And once you have chosen the right adult dog, this dog will adore you even more because with his experiences, he knows that you gave him a chance that he will be always grateful for.
6. IF YOU DON'T JUDGE ON THE COLOR, YOU MIGHT END UP WITH A GEM.
Similarly to adult dogs, it is generally harder for black rescue dogs to find a new home. In some countries, like Taiwan, the color black brings bad luck. But also in Europe and the US, black rescue dogs have a harder time of finding a home. Maybe this is because black dogs are often associated with being more scary looking. But the color does not decide on the dog’s personality. So the next time you visit a shelter or foster, look out for that black dog that nobody wants and decide whether he or she might be the right choice for you.