Adopt Don't Shop

 

Let's say you're thinking about getting a new pet. There's a lot you need to think about before making such a life changing decision and it is not one that should be taken lightly. Is your home suitable for a pet? Do you have the time and resources available to look after it? Can you afford to take care of your new four legged friend? Will you buy it or adopt it?

 

When the global pandemic hit the world, a lot of us found ourselves confined to the four walls of our house with nothing to do, unable to meet anyone or go out at all, with some people finding themselves stuck in a foreign country with no way to go back home. Because of this one in five households acquired a cat or dog since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis as more and more people found themselves at home with time to spare to look after pets. Pet shelters and rescue agencies saw a significant rise in rates of adoption at the beginning of the pandemic and these pets came to be known as covid companions.

 

But what happens now that people are finally allowed to go out and restrictions ate being lifted? Although the vast majority of these households still have that pet in the home, many people began returning back home or going back to their 9-5 jobs with no place or time to look after their "covid companions." Shelters began seeing a rise in pet returns and many pets were even left behind by their previous owners.

 

This is just one example of why we should adopt and not shop. There are around 6.2 crore stray dogs and 91 lakh street cats in India. Most of which are unvaccinated and unspayed, and on the brink of starvation. Unfortunately, one doesn't even have to look hard enough to see that this is true.

 

Because of all of this we bring ourselves to the question of why should we adopt, don't shop? The first and possibly even the best one is you are saving life. You are providing a second chance at life to a dog, cat, or other animal. Some of them may have endured abuse, been left behind, or been left to fend for themselves on the streets in a previous life. Adopting the dog allows you to provide it with a loving home where it can regain its former happiness and health.

 

Another reason is you won't be assisting pet breeders. In cruel conditions, many dogs are forced to mate as frequently as possible in puppy farms. By deciding to adopt, you can avoid these organizations while also promoting animal welfare. You could also be very well saving a life. Because there are too many animals entering shelters and not enough people thinking about adoption when seeking a pet, it is estimated that more than one million adoptable dogs and cats are put down every year in the United States.

 

Adopting a let is also more affordable than buying one from a pet shop and whole getting a bet is just a cold clinical transaction, adopting a pet from a shelter not only gives your a whole support system of people who fan help you understand your pets wants and needs better but you also get a new best friend out of that deal and is there anything else better than that? Adopt, don't shop