Today, My family grew by a whopping two pounds, and four paws. There is nothing better than the feeling of finding your forever friend, and being selected by a selective rescue to take them home.
For the second time in my life, we found ourselves in the position where we would like to have a companion, and we have always been adopters. Recently someone i was talking to about the process asked me "why would you want something not pure bred?" and i had to think about that and in doing so i came up with these three reasons to support your local shelter, rescue, or foster parents (animal):
Adoption doesn't promote over breeding
There is no question about the love of an animal, they are big awesome, furry machines of endless love. Most mommy animals that find themselves having kittens/puppies are a one time thing, and are spayed/neutered after an appropriate amount of time. As opposed to breeding which promotes using the animals (sometimes and not all cases) as a means of a way to make an income, and ultimately becomes a cycle of the mother having litter after litter. Cats/dogs and all other living animals deserve to be loved and to live a healthy life, through some breeders that right to a happy life is taken from them, and they are stripped of multiple sets of their babies.
Spaying and Neutering
One of the most important things about getting an adopted animal is the fact that most organizations, pounds, shelters, fosters, etc want the new animals to have the best and most healthy life possible, and they ensure this quality of life by spaying and neutering the animals before they are given to a good home.
This single act of spaying and neutering the animals is the most responsible thing an owner can do, it not only reduces the likely hood of overpopulation of said species, but it also makes sure that each and every animal can have its best life.
love is love
There is nothing cute about paying over 300+ dollars for a specific looking animal, and people do it all the time. There is no difference in the love that is received from a 300+ dollar cat and one that is 120+ dollars. The love and pure bond that is shared between the owner and the adopted pet creates a bond that can never be broken. Creating a home for them so they don't live in a tiny window is something that these animals will thank you for forever with their devotion and love.
Now I don't think that people who shop for pets are evil by any means, but I do know that there are thousands of great, loving, animals waiting in areas around you for people to come and let them be their best friend. For me adoption has always been a no brainier, but if you've never done it i highly recommend it.
As I finish this up the newly adopted lulu, purring in my lap, says thank you for thinking about adoption.
