Adopt
Don't Shop
by
Josefine Rauch
Research:
Every
year more than 6 million dogs and cats in the United States alone end
up in shelters. About half of them get adopted and some are returned
to their owners. However, a large number of approximately 2 million
pets has to be euthanized. There are way more animals than
responsible homes and owners for them.
One
of the reasons for the overpopulation is that pets are being
surrendered by owners who can or want no longer take care of them.
Pet relinquishment is a sad reality that happens way too often.
Another one is the problem of reproduction. To reduce the number of
unwanted pets, supporting the spay and neutering is very important.
PETA Senior Vice President for Communication Lisa Lange states that:
„Solving
the cat and dog overpopulation crisis is doable through requiring and
enforcing the spay and neutering at all dogs and cats. We cannot
become a “no-kill” society until we become a no-birth one and for
this reason PETA supports the work of open-admission shelters. Those
that take in every animal in need despite age, temperament or
adoptability. Spaying and neutering saves lives. Adopt don't shop!”
The
number of euthanized animals could be reduced if more people would
consider adoption instead of buying from breeders or pet stores.
Behind the windows of pet stores where cute baby animals are
displayed lies a cruel and horrible industry. The stores purchase
their animals from puppy and kitten mills that only have one aim:
making money. The mills are horrible places where
animals are forced to breed and live in terrible conditions. They
often get abused with awful practices like tail-docking or
ear-cropping and a lot of them die before even reaching the pet store
as the transportation conditions are so bad. Puppy and kitten mills
will directly be supported if you by a dog or cat from the pet store.
Smaller
breeders may sometimes have better living conditions for their
animals but are still contributing to the problem. By
buying from a breeder you will effect that
the puppy you just bought will be replaced. It's an endless circle.
Yet by
adopting you can open up shelter space for another animal in need.
Carolyn
Mullin, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Animal Museum
highlights:
“Dogs,
cats and other pets can be bred in such horrific conditions, like
puppy mills. So we definitely encourage adoption. Too many unwanted
animals are euthanized every year in shelters.”
Ways
To Help:
- Spay and neuter your pet.
- Be responsible and consider that a pet is a lifetime commitment. Also consider the time and money involved in proper animal care.
- Foster a pet.Fostering an animal is a very effective way to help and essential for rescue organizations. You introduce to an animal in need what a loving environment feels like and provide the opportunity to open up space for others that can be pulled from the shelter. By taking an animal into your home on a temporary basis, you safe lives.
- Speak out!Tell and educate your friends, family and social networks about the dangers of puppy mills, the problem with dog overpopulation, and the need of spay and neutering.
- Report incidences.If you happen to know a breeder or puppy mill in your area that acts unethical or if you witness dog abuse or neglect, report it to your local animal law enforcement agency.
- Donate to rescue organizations you trust in and become a volunteer at the shelter or a rescue.
- Last but not least: Adopt Don't Shop.If you consider to get a lifetime companion, do not buy your pet from an internet seller or from a pet shop. Save a life, adopt don't shop!
Personal:
I
have always been very fond of animals and got more and more involved
with animal welfare during the years. A key event was probably when I
saw a lot of very young puppies squeezed together and being displayed
in the shop window of a pet store in Australia. Being originally from
Germany, I was familiar with pet stores selling smaller animals which
is bad enough and shouldn't be supported. I was very shocked to
discover this type of store for dogs in a big city of a country that
for me seemed very progressive. I was 19 years old at that time.
Between then and now I have spend some time abroad and had to see a
lot of animals including dogs being mistreat by people, held in small
cages, sold at markets, or suffering on the street. In many cases I
have noticed that their suffering was due to human ignorance, egoism
or a lack of knowledge and empathy. The torture that so many animals
have to face everyday is unnecessary and can be reduced and maybe
even stopped one day if we as humans act responsibly.
I
want to do all I can to prevent innocent animals being harmed and
spread the word. And while I chose to focus on the problem of
overpopulation and breeding of dogs for this article, I still speak
for all kinds of animals that can not speak for themselves. I
strongly support the adoption of pets over purchasing from breeders
because you can get any size, age and breed from the shelter or a
local rescue. Many rescue organizations out there are dedicated to
saving the lives of abandoned animals and are even specialized in
certain breeds. There is a high demand for help and fortunately there
are many ways to do so. I support rescue organizations from Eastern
Europe and onetime was an animal flight companion for Spanish street
cats that found their forever homes in Germany. Here in LA I
volunteer for different rescue organizations that pull dogs from
shelters and find them new homes. There are lots of rescues and
organizations out there that do wonderful work and where everyone can
find a way to participate. Here a just a few that I can personally
recommend:
Bark
n' Bitches
A
dog boutique that sells dog food and accessories but also functions
as a rescue. Dogs of all sizes hang around in the store and are all
up for adoption. They get to experience to live in a pack before they
find their forever homes. A humane version of a pet store that very
often has puppies up for adoption.
Karma Rescue
Karma Rescue is a non-profit organization that saves cats and dogs in need by finding them forever homes. They have manly larger dogs in their rescue and run a lot of important education programs including school and prison visits with their dogs. They instill the critical need for spay and neuter and offer guidance to strengthen the animal-human bond.
Perfect Pet Rescue
This
organization has a lot of smaller dogs including mixes and pure
breeds up for adoption, all the dogs are pulled from the shelter.
Mobile adoptions every weekend in Santa Monica.
ARA
Canine Rescue
Located
in Apple Valley this rescue is specialized in saving Siberian
Huskies that are desperately in need of finding loving homes.
http://www.alleysrescuedangels.org
PETA
The well known animal rights organization hosts a variety of events at their Empathy Center located in Echo Park. The movie series PETAflix & Chill is very recommendable. You get the chance to talk to activists, filmmakers and the PETA staff in person.
The
Animal Museum
The
Animal Museum is dedicated to enriching the lives of animals and
people by exploring shared experience. This includes companion
animals who are deserving our respect, understanding and compassion.
A great way of combining art and animal protection! Current
exhibition: SPOM. The Sexual Politics of Meat.
Supporters:
Being
involved with the rescue of animals every day people who work at
shelters, rescue organizations and in animal welfare are very much
affected by this issue and their personal statements are very
important.
Shannon
von Roemer, Owner of Bark n' Bitches with Mommy Dog (doesn't have a
name yet and just arrived at Bark n' Bitches with her puppy, both
available for adoption):
Bark
n' Bitches is the first humane pet shop. Combining retail and rescue
has proven to be a successful model. Adopters love seeing their
possible new family member in this cage free environment. We have
adopted out 6,000 dogs over an 11 year period.
Max Motew, Employee at Bak n' Bitches with Burns (Adoptable at Bark n' Bitches):
My
thoughts on breeding: Growing up, my mom got dogs from certified
breeders, ones that were ethical. As our dogs started to pass away,
we turned to shelters because there are thousands of dogs that need
homes. It's so humbling to take one off the street and give him a
loving family. Dogs all the way!
Ashley
Zepeda, Employee at Bark n' Bitches with Granola (Adoptable at Bark
n' Bitches):
All
dogs just want love. Find one and show it to them.
Marisa Ruby, Volunteer at Perfect Pet Rescue with Willy (Adoptable at Perfect Pet Rescue):
There
is a genocide happening right here in LA in our city and county
animal shelters. Thousands of perfect pets are being euthanized every
year due to human neglect irresponsibility. I am trying to help make
Los Angeles a no-kill city where every dog and cat has a loving safe
home.
Jack
Nordhaus, Volunteer at Perfect Pet Rescue with Kona (Adoptable at
Perfect Pet Rescue):
There
is a great need for finding homes for unwanted dogs. There is a high
kill rate at shelters and the dogs sometimes only have a few days.
What we do is that we rescue the dogs, spay and neuter them, give
them microchips and find homes for them. We've been doing it for 20
years now.
Arsineh Sarkissian, Volunteer at ARA Canine Rescue and her rescue Huskies Max and Minnie:
These
dogs know that they are being saved. The minute they go home with you
they know they are going home. And they are filled with so much
appreciation. So many people have a misconception about adopting. The
fear of the unknown. What they don't know is that when they are
sitting at deaths doorstep and are rescued, more often than not, they
will do anything to make you happy. They change your life. They
rescue you.
References:
Great article! I fully support adoption from animal shelters and everything. I also have a few friends who took in a few stray animals. It's really wonderful.
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