Five reasons to adopt a pet instead of buying one: you save a life, free up shelter space, fight unethical breeding, find any animal you want, and help stop abandonment. Made for the holidays.
Christmas is a very special holiday full of love and affection. For this reason, some families take advantage of the occasion to add a new member to the family. However, whether we are talking about a dog, a cat or any other type of domestic animal, it is likely that uncertainty will arise about whether to adopt or buy. Do you also have doubts if you are thinking of taking in a new animal? Below we will show you five reasons that will make you think and understand why it is better to adopt than to buy. Of course, let's remember that adoption is an act that implies responsibility, so it must be a well considered decision by all members of the family. 1. Will be saving a life what happens to animals that live in a shelter or pound? According to data from the Affinity foundation, almost half of abandoned dogs end up being adopted, followed by a high number of dogs that return to their homes after being lost. However, the rest of the dogs spend their entire lives in the shelter or die there. Likewise, in those kennels where euthanasia is allowed, some animals are often euthanized, especially those that are old, sick or have not been adopted for a long time. So if you adopt, you will be saving a life. 2. You will free up a space by adopting an animal, whether from shelter or a kennel, you will be leaving a space available so that the center can accept the arrival of a new animal. This usually happens in shelters and private centers. On the other hand, in kennels we will avoid overcrowding animals which significantly harms their well being and contributes to the emergence of behavioral problems. Therefore, by adopting instead of saving a life, you will be saving two lives. 3. You will not promote the buying and selling of animals. Although there are responsible breeders who raise animals taking into account their well being, health and many other important factors. The truth is that bad practices with respect to breeding occur constantly and it is not always easy to identify them if we are not experts. This year we were able to verify that a store in Barcelona was selling puppies with parbovirus, a potentially fatal disease, while accumulating frozen corpses that had already died. This is just one of many examples. As we have mentioned, not all breeders carry out illegal or inappropriate practices. However, at Animal Expert, we are not in favor of the commercialization of living beings since the desire for enrichment can lead many people to adopt inappropriate practices that mean a greater profit margin. By adopting a dog, we completely avoid promoting this market in order to support associations, shelters and entities that fight for animal welfare, including that of individuals that are not purebred. Fourth, you can adopt practically any animal contrary to what many people believe in adoption centers we can find animals of all ages, sizes and characteristics. Some have defined breeds and others mixed breeds. In addition, we can adopt not only dogs and cats, but also many other animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs or even rats. On the other hand, animals that have been abandoned have not necessarily been abandoned due to bad behavior, a fairly common myth. But other causes also influence it so such as the arrival of a baby or being lost. No animal has done anything to deserve being abandoned. 5. You will support the fight against abandonment. To give you some data, just in Spain last year more than 100,000 dogs and 30,000 cats were abandoned, a figure slightly higher than last year that does not include those animals that did not go to a shelter. Abandonment is a scourge that haunts our society. By adopting, you will become more aware of the reality of shelters and kennels, which will make you promote this very necessary act while also taking a stand against abandonment. Adopting is a wonderful gesture that involves offering and receiving limitless love, and that is also in the hands of all of us. So if you want to have an animal by your side now you know. Adopt, don't buy. We hope that this Christmas there will be many animals adopted instead of bought, but always in a responsible way. We must never forget that a dog, a cat or any living being feels and suffers. Therefore, it is important that we all think carefully about this option before carrying it out. Therefore, we encourage you to visit the nearest shelter or kennel, discover the animals there, and consult with the people in charge of the center. Any questions that arise, whether regarding behavior, health or needs. Happy Holidays, experts. Do you want more? In the text box you will find very interesting links. Now that the cold weather, Christmas and special dates are approaching, don't miss it.
