My Inspiration
Let's be real, my dog is my life. Anyone who knows me can see by the obnoxious amount of social media posts that my dog is my favorite little person on this planet. As a dog owner I often get asked "Where did you get him?" "What breed is he?" My answer is always "We have no idea... he is a Pit Bull terrier mixed with a few other things we aren't sure, he's from the shelter." When I say that, people either turn their noses up as if mutts are any less cute than purebreds from outstanding breeders (also the occasional judgement on any breed with Pit Bull involved) Then there are people who, like me, love adopting and see all the wonderful things that my adorable pit mix has to offer. People have such negative connotations with breeds from the shelters and with adopting instead of buying from a breeder. When I get this reaction I always go on my typical rant about why to adopt and how many misconceptions there are about shelter pets. Maybe I rant about this so much because my dog really did change my entire outlook on shelters. This common reaction is what inspired me to really get down to the bottom of these misconceptions and show people how adopting from a shelter can really change their lives just like it changed mine. So here are five misconceptions about shelters and their animals.
1. Shelters never have purebreds.
People often use the excuse "but they don't have purebreds" as an excuse not to adopt from shelters and to buy from breeders. As a shelter dog owner and volunteer at the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire this not only frustrates me but is entirely false. The notion that shelters and humane societies don't ever have purebreds is very inaccurate. As a volunteer at the ARLNH I have seen just about every breed imaginable come through the shelter, from big beautiful German Shepherds, Labs and even adorable little Chihuahuas. Beauty comes in all forms and if the breed really matters to an individual there are various websites such as pet finder where you can actually search whatever breed you are looking for and it will show where the rescues are near you that fit your search. It is very possible to find purebreds at shelters it may take extended effort and time but it would be saving a life and helping with population control in the process.
2. Shelters never have puppies/kittens.
Babies that overload us with cuteness, why wouldn't anyone not want a puppy or a kitten? Although it may take some time to find puppies and kittens in local animal shelters, it is very possible, it may take longer to actually find only because of how fast they get adopted. Everyone wants a puppy or a kitten. It is all about staying in contact with your local shelters to ensure that when they do have a liter or a few puppies you will be the first one notified. It happens more than you would think, believe me. It is sad and unfortunate that many people only see value in getting a pet a young age when they are adorable and easy to take care of. When getting an animal it is important to consider the fact that this is now your companion and your responsibility. People often get an animal while being lonely and then once they are in a new relationship or get overloaded with a busy work schedule pets often get thrown to the side. Animals are a huge responsibility and need a lot of attention as well. Especially young puppies and kittens which do come through shelters.
3. Shelter pets are unfixable.
This topic I will admit takes a very personal tug on my heart and I assume the hearts of many shelter dog owners. As an owner of a mixed breed ball of life named Henry from the Animal Rescue League of NH it strikes me the wrong way when people try to tell me that shelter animals cannot be rehabilitated mentally. This to me is like saying a person with a really rough past can never overcome and will always live with the consequences. Many animals are left abused, neglected or forced into the illegal business of dog fighting. These animals lose their trust for humans because all people have done is hurt them for reasons that aren't comprehendible. Every 60 seconds an animal is being abused, neglected or forced into dog fighting. This is so sickening to think about which is why it is so important to adopt and help rescue these animals from these situations. Of course these pets are scared, of course they are hesitant to trust again, of course they are scared to love humans again. This may cause them to act out in forms of aggression. This does not mean they are "unfixable" and will always be "vicious." It IS possible and if people are given so many second chances why aren't animals?
4. Will my shelter pet come with various health problems?
A common misconception of shelter pets is that they may have health issues or behavioral issues but actually shelters do not put their animals up for adoption until they are spayed or neutered, have all of their needed shots, and are 100% ready to go to their forever home. If an animal is not ready most shelters will do a foster to adopt program and pay for all of the health needs for this animal while in their new home. I think this is not only amazing that they do this but really helpful knowing that your pet is healthy at the point of adoption. This is not so much an issue with breeders but dogs from puppy mills are often kept in horrible conditions and have contracted some sort of disease from the point of birth to adoption. It is really sad that they then go to pet stores and sit in crates not much bigger than their size until someone comes along willing to pay thousands for them.
5. Shelter's don't actually help population control.
About 7.6 million animals are taken into shelters each year, out of this 7.6 million animals 2.7 million are euthanized each year for over population purposes. This 2.7 million could be saved if people started to boycott purchasing animals at pet stores that have most likely come from illegal puppy mills, and stop buying from breeders. Household pets are so overpopulated that shelters are running out of space for these homeless animals. Buying from a breeder or a pet store just increases these numbers. About 28% of dogs are purchased from breeders, and 29% of cats and dogs are adopted from shelters and the other remaining percent are animals from pet stores or family acquaintances. As I said in this article anyone can find their "ideal" forever pet at a shelter, this not only saves a life but you would be surprised how much it will change yours. Giving these animals a second chance is not only helping the cause but will entirely change the lives of the owner.
So basically always adopt don't shop! All of the misconceptions of shelters have been proved wrong time and time again. People are sometimes vaguely educated or involved with their local animal shelter so when they are looking for a pet they do not even really consider adopting. Others may believe that their pet has to be perfect and 100% purebred. If this is the case, then I am sorry, but don't own an animal. Pets aren't props to our lives that we use to show off the kind of person we think we are. Pets are meant to be family members and companions so why does it matter where they came from? Adopting saves lives and is a really great way to help your community with population control. Adopting is not only saving the life of that animal but it really does change you as the individual as well. Always adopt and not shop. Get involved with your local animal shelter, even if you cannot adopt at the time there are numerous needs for volunteers and ways that you can get involved and help save lives too. Animals lives matter.
"The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals." aspca.org 2016 https://www.aspca.org
