DISCLAIMER
This article focuses on spreading awareness. It’s about knowing your options (dog adoption or ethical breeding) thoroughly and making an informed choice. The article, in any way, does not mean to discourage adoption. It aims to educate people to not use the term “adopt don’t shop” as a way to attack anyone who prefers other ethical options of getting a dog. Please have an open mind towards all opinions and do not make personal pot-shots at anyone you don’t agree with.
How and why was the term “Adopt don’t shop” coined?
The term “Adopt, don’t shop” was coined as a part of an awareness campaign by Los Angeles-based Last Chance for Animals (LCA), an international, non-profit animal advocacy organization. It was to educate people about the benefits of adopting a pet from a shelter instead of buying from stores and puppy mills.
The campaign was meant to make people aware of the adversity pets have to go through because of unethical breeders and non-regulated puppy mills and encourage them to give homeless pets a chance at a loving home.
However, over time, it started to become more of an attack mechanism on social media and was used against anyone and everyone who preferred a specific breed over a mix.
Don’t get me wrong when I say “I’ve stopped saying ‘Adopt don’t shop’.” I’m still in 100% support of dog adoption. Personally, my first option would always be adopting a dog because as a trainer, I know I have the time, patience and skills to work with the possible behavioural issues that might come with an adopted pooch.
However, I do not expect every dog lover to be a dog adoption enthusiast. Neither do I judge anyone who would prefer a Purebred over a mix.
A lot of rescue dogs and dogs that end up in shelters come with a bad past and are usually abandoned or given up on by their previous owners. It takes massive amounts of time, effort, knowledge and patience to work around with their trust and behavioral issues. Again, not all shelter/ rescue dogs are “problem dogs.” I’m talking about a particular scenario.
Every dog is fit for a certain type of family. A family that barely has the time to walk their dogs and is out working for 8 hours every day is not fit for a high energy rescue dog who has severe separation anxiety issues. A family that has 3 toddlers is signing up for trouble if they end up adopting a rescue dog with resource guarding and aggression issues and have no idea how to deal with it. The wrong kind of dogs in the wrong families can have DISASTROUS results.
Every dog is fit for a certain type of family.
We often see cases where people feel sorry for a homeless dog and end up taking the dog home without giving it a thought if they have the time and resources to turn the dog around. Seldom does anyone talk about the dogs that repeatedly get rehomed or come back to the shelter because the dog “wasn’t the right fit”.
I DO NOT SUPPORT UNREGULATED PUPPY MILLS AND UNETHICAL BREEDERS.
I cannot stress on this point enough. There cannot be a punishment severe enough for despicable people who consider dogs and puppies as money-making toys and ill-treat them. There is a special place in hell reserved for these monsters.
However, I’m not against the concept of ethical breeding. I certainly support and stand with ethical breeders and as a dog trainer, people often ask me to recommend good breeders to them. If I constantly keep throwing the phrase “Adopt don’t shop” in their faces, I’m not convincing them to adopt from a shelter. When I disagree to help them with the contact of a reputable breeder, I indirectly encourage them to go to someone else and increase the possibility of them ending up with a corrupt source of shopping for a Purebred pup.
When I disagree to help them with the contact of a reputable breeder, I indirectly encourage them to go to someone else and increase the possibility of them ending up with a corrupt source of shopping for a Purebred pup.
One can be a breed fanatic and an ardent dog lover at the same time. It is not Wrong to be fond of a breed.
Many people get dogs to suit their lifestyle and sometimes for specific purposes – Hunting dogs, guard dogs, water sport dogs, therapy dogs, service dogs are all such examples.
If I’m working on a project that needs me to select and train a service dog for someone, shelters or rescue organizations might not be the first place I turn to.
A service dog needs to be trained right from puppyhood. Furthermore, not every puppy can be a service dog. It takes high standards of breeding requirement and dog genes to produce a litter that is competent enough. PICK OF THE LITTER is a documentary on Netfllix based on Guide dogs that dwells deeper on this.
It takes high standards of breeding requirement and dog genes to produce a litter that is capable of being trained for Therapy work or be a service dog.
Alternatively, an outdoorsy couple who loves going on treks and mountain climbing every other day may not be the right fit for a low energy rescue dog with joint issues or breathing problems. So, if they end up getting such a dog home out of mere sympathy and because they felt sorry for the dog, they’d be doing more harm than good to the dog and to themselves.
One can support No-kill shelters, rescue volunteers and ethical breeders at the same time.
It’s high time that we bust the myth that one needs to pick either sides of Adopting or Buying a dog. If adopting a rescue dog or a dog from the shelter isn’t an option for someone, they should be free to consider Buying from an ethical and lawful breeder without feeling guilty about it.
Yes, puppy mills and shady pet stores are some of the worst places to shop for a dog. But, when we try to generalize “Adopt don’t shop,” we are invariably attacking reputable, ethical and reliable breeders too.
You can choose to buy a breed, yet volunteer with a rescue group. You can run a shelter, yet work together with a breeder and trainer to make pets more ‘adoptable.’ You can shop from a reputable, ethical breeder, yet stand against puppy mills.
What to look for in an Ethical breeder
- An ethical breeder will make an effort to know you and where you come from
- He won’t hand over puppies to everyone and anyone that walks in
- Get a referral
- Keeps the pets in a clean, safe and open environment and lets you visit it (with an exception during pandemic)
- Knows the importance of early training the pups and focuses on it
- Does not feed all the puppies from a single food vessel
- Does not over breed
Here’s an article written by the Humane Society that serves as an excellent example of how Shelters and ethical breeders support each other.
CLICK HERE to know what expert bloggers and trainers want you to know about raising a puppy.
How can you support Humane shelters and rescue organizations?
- Volunteer
- Spread awareness about adopting the right pet and help prepare pet parents to look after them
- A homeless dog finding a loving home in which he fits perfectly is much more important than a volunteer’s goal to see an empty shelter
- Speak up against unethical breeding of pets and places like puppy mills
- If anyone is looking for a Purebred, help them with the contact of an ethical breeder. If you don’t they might end up going to someone else who might help them with the contact of a puppy mill.
- Consider donating to rescue organizations and shelter homes
- If you’re already volunteering, consider working together with a trainer/ behaviourist to make pets more ‘adoptable’
Having a dog is an incredible experience, irrespective of whether the dog is Purebred or rescued. Supporting adoption and rescuing and embracing a homeless pet is noble and courageous. However, expecting the world to follow your footsteps and mindlessly attacking someone with “Adopt don’t shop” who chooses to ‘buy’ a pet is downright wrong. There is a pet fit for every family out there – Let them reach out and find one! Be a source that helps them in the right direction, and not someone who bullies them for their choice.
The article is all about the awareness one needs to have. Nicely written 👍
Rescue isn’t about purebred vs mixed breed! There are plenty of purebred dogs in rescue. If you have your heart set on a purebred dog go to a breed specific rescue. I rescued a purebred schnauzer through a breed rescue as my first dog and now have a mixed breed direct from a shelter. Sadly, this article leads people to believe that the only way to get a purebred, if that is what their heart is set on, is through a breeder which is 100% untrue. And just because you get a purebred as a puppy doesn’t mean it won’t have behavioral issues. A person who doesn’t have time to train a rescue dog also doesn’t have time to train a puppy and shouldn’t have a dog at all.
The article doesn’t imply that at all. I’m just saying that if someone has a breed requirement for a certain purpose like therapy and/or service dog training, the pup needs to have certain traits and a personality that he is born with, along with impeccable initial training and socialization that has to be imparted at puppyhood. I’m sure rescue organizations also have several dogs that are fit to be therapy dogs, but that doesn’t make a person wanting to go to an ethical breeder wrong. And yes, a person that doesn’t have time to train their dog shouldn’t be getting a dog in the 1st place. But for most people, getting a puppy and starting on a clean slate is a lot easier than getting a dog that already has behavioral issues. When your puppy develops behavioral issues, you know why it has happened which makes it a little easier to tackle the issue at hand, unlike a rescue dog that has an unknown past. Plus, if trained well, you can prevent the pup from having any behavioral issues at all! Again, not all rescue dogs are problem dogs and as mentioned in the article, my 1st choice would always be a rescue. But I don’t expect everyone to think that way.
Negative. The homeless crisis does not support the buying of doodles just cuz you want something trendy and fluffy. MILLIONS ARE DYING. Do you not understand that? It is our job to take care of these animals. It is OUR FAULT and it is our job. Period. No breeding is guaranteed to produce well behaved just as lack of “breeding” does not necessarily mean behavioral and health issues. There should be a STAY on any breeding until we can find homes for those suffering and homeless at OUR hands. Period
Sorry honey, you don’t get to dictate who buys what and where from. Just because you have irresponsible idiots out there , doesn’t mean you punish the responsible people. I had dogs all my life , I’m almost 60 and none of my animals were ever fixed, they all came from breeders and I paid a shit ton of money for my purebreds . I never bred any of them and they all stayed with me until they past all my pets are included in my will and have a living trust.
you want to adopt some mutt you know nothing about ( mainly PITBULLS now ) because that’s all that’s in shelters anymore….go ahead, adopt a Pitbull and wait for it to remove your face or eat the neighbors kid.
I will never adopt , I will always choose from a breeder and I don’t care how offended you are about it.
You animal extremists are about as obnoxious as them Vegans !
Well ‘honey’ you won’t find a sentence in the article that criticizes purchasing a purebred rather than adopting a dog…some adoptable dogs are purebred by the way. I’ve encountered far more bite cases involving the currently popular breeds than among mixed breed dogs including pit mixes. I used to say I didn’t want a pitbull – not because of the dogs but because of people’s ignorance. Then my pit mix found me and became the love of my life. There wasn’t an aggressive bone in his body. It seems to me that you are the extremist…obnoxious and ignorant.
I agree. We are responsible for this crisis, but we turn our heads because we just have to have the purest breed out there. Meanwhile, there are overcrowded shelters and rescues pleading for help for precious babies who just want a home, or a home again. A great number of animals were returned because of the pandemic, and now we want better animals because some of us think we deserve them. Unless you are a professional or have a viable reason for needing or wanting a purebred, it is cruel to overlook our overcrowded shelters and rescues because an animal is one percent “something else.” Even purebred animals can be temperamental and go back on their breeding, based on the locale and the owner. I also concur [with placing a stay or having a way for those who need a certain breed having a way to get one but only for that reason. The Earth has been overcrowded for years. And we are killing each other because some of us aren’t pure enough. If it is looked at from that perspective it may feel different. Great points Mila.
I’m so sick of this adopt don’t shop BS. If you PAY for your dog, it’s a PURCHASE, not a “ rescue “ ! It’s as simple as that !
Most shelter dogs come from idiots who bought their dogs in parking lots or Graigslist NOT BREEDERS !
Glad you are committed to your dogs. Explain why there is a rescue for most every purebred in the US? I have been an advocate for rehoming many purebred dogs. Spending hours collecting information, vet records, getting healthchecks, assessments
from behavioralists, taking photos, finding fosters, and hours filling out surrender applications that require all this footwork. Then anxiously sit and wait for a call or email. None of the last 4, this year alone, that I was able to get into purebred rescues had health or behavioral issues, other than they were unwanted and/or neglected. Yet, it took a lot of convincing these overwhelmed groups to accept them. You’re fooling yourself if you think rescues are money makers. I am nearly 60 and have volunteered in rescue for decades. I have seen the invoices, not just veterinary. None of the rescues I’ve worked with ask or even mention a surrender fee. Maybe county animal shelters. Adoption fees hardly cover expenses. If they exceed costs, those dollars are spent on the next emergency intake/bills. Some rescues are fortunate to have a wealthy benefactor, allowing them to accept more intakes or have expensive procedures performed. Otherwise, its all down to fundraising. Rescues often lack dollars and foster homes and have to say no to shelters and individuals who need help. Often wealthy purebred owners further monetize their property by selling them off because they paid X amount when they are no longer wanted. Or have too much pride to approach a reputable rescue to rehome. Yes, some are relinquished to the original, reputable breeder and are safe, but may be too ashamed for that. In a perfect world we wouldn’t need rescues. Visit your local shelter, and Google a specific breed rescue. See what you find. A great number of the dogs have zero health or behavioral issues, get along with other dogs, cats, small children, and are young. Horribly, yes, there are breeders who masquerade as “rescues” who sell purebred puppies. Unfortunately, this is becoming more prevalent. There are “reputable” breeders who refuse to do genetic testing for common breed specific issues and/or don’t want it to become a requirement. Heck, although illegal in most first world nations, and not supported by the AVMA, ear cropping and tail docking in most of the U.S. is legal. Yet breeders continue to have this mutilation performed and manifests greater ignorance. It goes without saying, I fully support proper breeding of guide and service dogs. Also, understand the importance of police and military trained use, provided they are not left behind or discarded when no longer needed. Yes, I’ve rescued breed-specific sport/hunting dogs from wealthy families. There’s is so much more on this subject. You and the others who feel shamed or offended over “adopt, don’t shop” can preach all you like when the shelters and rescues are empty. By the way you’ve cared for your dogs, this shouldn’t bother you so much. You can be an advocate for all animals. There are vastly more shelter, rescue, disposed of, monitized, homeless, neglected, abused, and tortured dogs and cats than are in healthy, happy homes. My choice, but dog/cat rescue and advocacy is exhausting.
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This is Why I've stopped saying "Adopt don't shop"
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This is Why I've stopped saying "Adopt don't shop"
As an animal rescuer/advocate I agree—understanding the dog you are looking for is paramount. Most pedigree breeds (or even some who are not, like chows for instance) need more than general care and previous experience to be able to provide them with the optimum care they need and thrive on.
Respectfully, however, understanding your arguments on the phrase, “Adopt Don’t Shop”, I do not agree with your only reason for not saying it–bullying and the forced concept that one should only adopt said breed and not shop for one from an ethical breeder. Logically, those of us who are saying as such are only hoping that those who have the understanding of what care and experience their chosen breed needs will look at shelters for those particular breeds first if even to adopt an animal that can be just as loving and loyal that wasn’t your first breed choice (Newsweek, 2023.) Our shelters are overflowing with precious animals that were overwhelmingly surrendered after the pandemic freeze subsided-returned as if they were an “item” of no importance–to shelters that were already near to overflowing as it was (SAC, 2023.)
What animal rescues and shelters are asking is that you give these precious animals a chance if you are not planning to show your animal, or are looking [for specific reasons] for a particular breed of animal. My rescue coordinator says it hurts too much to go to look at the euthanasia numbers because they have gotten so depressingly astronomical. These poor creatures are dying for lack of space because a particular breed of animal you wanted was mixed by 2% percent with another and just not what you are looking for.
A study on the longevity of shelter workers states that a decent percentage of them leave, and their dreams of being the ultimate animal savior quickly brought to the cruel realization that they would have to euthanize unwanted cats and dogs (Psychology Today, 2017.) I always wanted to be of use to animals, and have found my bearings as a volunteer in the animal rescue community, volunteering for the agency where I adopted my first cat. In the past, I have also adopted a sweet bunny, another pet population along with other “exotic breeds” overlooked in our shelters and rescues. As much as I am told I would be a wonderful vet, I could not see myself returning an abused animal, or working at a shelter where I have to euthanize the animal I had been feeding and playing with, hoping they would get adopted, but sadly, they did not.
I have said and provided all of this info to say that that phrase is not meant to bully, as we encourage ethical breeder support, but to encourage one to give an unwanted animal another chance. Go spend time with an animal, walk in a shelter, and feel the sad atmosphere that shelter workers try to make the best of for visitors every day; be the animal in the cage who is overlooked because they just weren’t “pure enough.”
Have your purebreds, but give the “underdogs” and “undercats” a chance too. They can love just as much.
Regards 🙂
References:
https://www.newsweek.com/shelter-highlights-purebred-good-dogs-1837372
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animals-and-us/201705/why-do-animal-shelter-workers-burn-out
https://www.shelteranimalscount.org/estimated-245000-additional-dogs-and-cats-in-the-shelter-system-this-holiday-season/
“Adopt DON’T shop” stands up for the voiceless that are killed in shelters everyday. Breeding and buying from breeders supports the kill shelters having full cages. Quite frankly I think those who say “adopt don’t shop” care more for the poor animals being killed than peoples feelings when they buy a dog… lol