Adopt Don’t Shop
I know that this is a very common phrase potential pet owners hear, but I can’t help but continue to shout this from the rooftops for all to hear.
This phrase stems from the controversial topic of Puppy/Kitten Mills or operations similar to it. Puppy/Kitten Mills are for-profit operations where constant breeding of animals takes place to produce offspring in mass for wholesale purposes to pet stores. Most of these animals are held in inhospitable conditions while also being in very poor health with very little time between pregnancies.
Unfortunately, most Puppy/Kitten Mills slip through the cracks when it comes to registering as a breeder, and most pet stores don’t fully vet their suppliers, at least ones solely focused on profit. Because of this, the puppies and kittens that are sold typically have falsified or incomplete vet records, which means that potential owners will never know the medical illnesses or needs their pet might have.
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When these types of operations get raided and shut down, many of the animals held on these properties are taken into the custody of animal organizations (i.e. ASPCA) to help give them the medical attention they need and resources to begin life anew. Most of these animals get transferred to shelters awaiting their new home, but in the process they need behavioral rehabilitation to help teach/acclimate them on how to “Pet” and not just be a means to an end for Mills.
Shelters are amazing in the support they provide to these animals, but it can also be a stressful place. Loud noises, an unfamiliar environment, and some lonely days make it hard for an animal to thrive. The less time an animal spends in a shelter, the better they do mentally and physically which is why foster programs exist.
As long as there is a demand for puppies/kittens from pet stores, there will always be Mills vying to be a supplier, and endless amounts of animals hurt, waiting in shelters for a home. So, please do what you can to either donate to your local shelter, volunteer, adopt, or spread awareness on the importance to ‘Adopt Don’t Shop’.
I know that there were many topics mentioned here, but they will be expanded on in future posts. My goal is to spread awareness and get people thinking about the different ways they can contribute. And with that, I will bid everyone goodnight.
Originally published at https://pawsitively-exquisite.myshopify.com on May 12, 2022.
