There are so many factors to consider when you start to think about adding a dog to your family, whether it’s your first dog or your tenth. Do you have the time and money to properly care for a dog? What size or breed of dog would best fit in your home and lifestyle? And where should you get your dog from when you’re ready? While there are many places you can get a dog, here are 5 great reasons you should adopt your next dog from a shelter or reputable breed rescue group.
#1 – Two million puppies per year are bred in puppy mills
Most people are already aware of the horrors of puppy mills, but many people wind up with animals from these disreputable breeders anyway. Puppy mills produce around 2 million puppies per year under the worst conditions imaginable. If you knowingly purchase a puppy that came from a puppy mill, you may believe that you are saving that one puppy, but the truth is that you are sentencing that puppy’s parents and siblings to a life of slavery. The ONLY way puppy mills will ever be shut down entirely is if people stop buying puppies from them. You probably already know to avoid pet stores – but did you know that half of those 2 million puppies are sold online? Never trust a “breeder” who won’t let you come visit their facility and meet the puppy’s mother.
#2 – 670,000 dogs are euthanized every year
While the amount of dogs euthanized in shelters every year is declining, more than half a million dogs are still put to sleep by shelters every year. That number doesn’t include the countless numbers of used-up breeding dogs put to sleep by puppy mills once they can no longer breed or the sick puppies who don’t survive the horror of being born into filthy conditions.
#3 – Purebred dogs are prone to many genetic health problems
All purebred dog breeds have their own genetic problems as a result of more than a hundred years of inbreeding to reach a “standard” that makes little sense since most dogs aren’t bred for a specific purpose anymore. The most popular breeds tend to have the worst health conditions. 60% of Golden Retrievers die from cancer. One out of 5 German Shepherds will suffer from crippling hip dysplasia. English Bulldogs can’t even reproduce without assistance. Many of these genetic diseases would be diminished by mixing with breeds that aren’t prone to the same health issues. Reputable breeders do work to reduce the genetic problems in their lines, but there are far too many irresponsible breeders and puppy mills out there producing unhealthy dogs.
#4 – Purebred dogs can be adopted through breed rescues
If you are still interested in a purebred dog, there are many reputable breed-specific rescue groups that would love to help you find your next best friend. These dogs are just as in need of a good home as those found in shelters – in fact, most breed rescues actually pull purebred dogs out of regular shelters to give them a better chance of finding a great home. Breed rescues also foster most of their dogs, so they’re likely to be better socialized than dogs in shelters.
#5 – It’s usually cheaper, both short- and long-term
Buying a puppy can cost $500-1500 or more, and that’s just for the puppy itself. You’re then on your own for the cost of a microchip, vaccinations, and spaying or neutering. Most of those are included in the much-lower price of adopting a dog, usually around $50-150. Mixed-breed dogs are also less-likely to suffer from expensive genetic health problems.
(H/T: ASPCA, ASPCA, Rolling Stone, Scientific American, AKC, PetFinder, One Green Planet, Your Purebred Puppy, PetCare RX, Mercola Healthy Pets)
