Today is the first day of the A-to-Z Blogging Challenge. I’ll be posting each day in April except Sundays, with topics related to adoption and rescue that are inspired by a different letter of the alphabet each day.
To start things off, I thought I’d focus on the popular slogan for pro-rescue folks: “Adopt, don’t shop!” So why are we so pro-adoption rather than encouraging people to buy from a breeder?
The most basic reason to adopt is to save a life. According to the ASPCA’s website, approximately 2.7 million shelter animals are euthanized each year. These are mostly healthy animals of all ages, both pure breeds and mixed. Why add to the pet population by breeding when so many dogs and cats sit in shelters? (Our guinea pigs would like to remind you that there are plenty of homeless pocket pets at shelters, too!)
Charlie’s adoption picture!
Also, most shelters have a wide range of animals. You can meet dogs or cats of different breeds and ages, and the shelter staff can help you pick the right animal for your situation. You can adopt an animal who is past the puppy/kitten stage, maybe even fully housebroken. And in my experience, most shelter dogs are just friendlier and more grateful to find their forever homes.
So the next time you’re looking for a new family member, please consider your local rescue shelter. Adopt, don’t shop!
3 Mutts and a Corgi 
Good advice to adopt not shop. I have to admit we did shop with the two corgis that we had. We aren’t sure we are getting another dog, but if we do, we are aiming towards a shelter dog or a rescue dog.
betty
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You can always check out breed-specific rescue groups. There are corgi rescues in our area, for example. But we rescued our pure corgi from Unleashed, so she’s proof that you can find all kinds at shelters! 🙂
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I couldn’t agree more. I want a pet so badly, and the second we can afford one, to the pound we go.
Good luck with the 2015 A to Z Challenge!
A to Z Co-Host S. L. Hennessy
http://pensuasion.blogspot.com
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I volunteer at a local dog shelter, and the next time we bring home a doggie, that’s where we’ll get it. I love getting to know all these pups on our walks and nothing makes me happier than when they find homes.
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Walking the shelter dogs is a favorite activity for me, too! I was in a puddle of happy tears when one of my shelter buddies found his forever home recently. 🙂
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One of my dogs is a rescue from the animal shelter. She’s a black terrier mix. One of the best dogs ever!
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We love our terrier mutts! 🙂
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I have 2 rescue dogs. One has a lame paw due to life in a puppy mill. The other was considered unadoptable due to his fear of, well, everything. Neither has a mean bone in their body.
-Sally
A2Z http://sbalsamo.com #1310
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Our shelter pulls in animals from other shelters, generally high-kill ones, and it always amazes me how many shelters will label a dog as unadoptable because of anxious behavior. There’s a big misunderstanding about the difference between fear and true aggression. I’ve seen so many become sweet, snuggly dogs as soon as they knew they were safe and loved.
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When my mom died no one wanted her cat. I didn’t want to see the cat go to the pound so I took her. I do believe that people should get their animals from local shelters.
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I found your blog through the A to Z Challenge. I, too, help various rescues and local animal shelters, and all of my pets have been adopted. I commend you for the rescue work you do and for this wonderful blog you’ve created! Keep up the great work in both areas!
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