The phrase "adopt don't shop" is actually extremely rude and inhumane. These people are advocating adopting dogs from shelters, which is great. Those dogs deserve love. So do dogs that come from breeders. No dog is greater than another, and, by advocating for people to adopt rather than shop, they're basically saying, "Hey, I don't care if dogs from breeders go without finding a home because of my agenda. As long as all of the shelter dogs find a home, I'm happy."
First of all, there are reasons why people can't adopt. I'm allergic to dogs. I love dogs, regardless. My mother has a chocolate lab at home, and, if I spend more than ten minutes cuddling him, my eyes become inflamed, itchy, and swollen. When I've graduated college, have a stable home, and enough money to buy a dog, I will have to buy an allergy-friendly dog. Not only will I be required to buy a dog from a breeder because of my personal health, but also because most animal shelters won't even allow you to adopt if you or someone in your household has allergies. You can't guarantee that a "hypoallergenic dog" from a shelter is actually hypoallergenic, because they can't be 100% positive of its breed. This means I will have to buy a dog from a breeder. That does not mean my dog will be any less special than your adoptive dog.
Not only that, but let's say this "adopt don't shop" movement takes off. Do you realize how many of the pure-bred dogs you are scoffing at would go homeless? It would essentially create more dogs that need to be adopted. I understand that there are benefits to adopting. I understand that completely. What I don't understand is why most of the time that I have seen these "adopt don't shop" activists, they are putting down "designer dogs." Oh wow, you're totally right, "designer dogs" don't deserve homes, too. There's a better way to get your message across.
Why don't we just say adopt and shop? Get the dog that captures your heart. Take care of that dog. Love that dog. It shouldn't matter if the dog is from a breeder or a shelter, as long as that dog is living a happy, healthy life. If you really love animals as much as you say you do, you should be happy to see other people loving animals as well, regardless of where they came from. Don't judge me and my choice of dog.
