I would love to tell you why adopting a dog is so important to me, but let’s start out with the facts. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), approximately 670,000 dogs are euthanized in shelters each year. They are euthanized because of health conditions, and in some cases, because they have been there too long and the shelter needs more room for more strays.
You may be thinking, “That’s so horrible, why would shelters do that if they are trying to help the dogs?” If this is something you’re asking, my answer to you is because they have to. They have to keep taking in more dogs because there will always be more people neglecting, giving up, and setting their dogs free. Among these dogs are puppies. People keep their dogs outside and they have accidental litters and give the puppies to the shelters. In some cases, the puppies are found dumped on the side of the road, or found in the woods and no one ever knew they were born. This is why there will always be dogs in need of a home, and you could be that home.
I took this picture at Horry County Animal Care Center, an animal shelter in Horry County, South Carolina. This was not the first litter of puppies I had seen there, and I am certain it will not be the last. This picture is why I do not accept when people say they bought a dog from a breeder or a pet store because they “wanted a puppy.” Shelters always have puppies so that excuse does not work for me. This brings me to my next point: puppies in pet stores come from puppy mills, and some breeders are puppy mills.
What is a Puppy Mill?
A puppy mill is defined by the ASPCA as, “A large-scale commercial dog breeding operation where profit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs.” Unfortunately, puppy mills are generally not illegal in most states. As long as the dogs are provided food, water, and shelter. However, even though the dogs are being provided with the bare necessities, they are still overcrowded and kept in unsanitary conditions. The dogs are often kept in wire cages stacked on top of each other, and are kept outside year-round even in inclement weather, or inside year-round and never breathe fresh air or see the sun. Females are bred at every opportunity with little to no recovery time to keep profits high. Dogs that come from puppy mills often have health problems such as pneumonia, heart disease, parvovirus, and many more. If you get or have ever gotten a dog from a “breeder” but were unable to visit the facility or see where the dogs are kept, this was most likely a puppy mill.
Why it’s Important to Me, and Should Be to You Too:
It’s important to me because my two family dogs at home were both adopted. It is also important to me because my girlfriend and I adopted a dog freshman year of college and it changed my life. I cannot even bear to imagine what would’ve happened to any of them if we did not adopt them, and I can’t imagine my life without them. I also believe in adopting and never shopping because people have a lot to learn from rescue dogs. They have been failed, neglected, and forgotten about but they still have so much love to give to humans. Their ability to love and forgive is immeasurable. Also, doesn’t it make more sense to clear the shelters before bringing more dogs into this world? I think so. That is why adopting is important.
Adopt Don't Shop: All Things Dog 