As the author of this blog, I want to give those who are interested in adopting from an animal shelter, my view of adopting from a shelter.
As an animal lover, animal advocate and pet owner, the first thing I want to say is that when you adopt an animal from a shelter…you are saving a life!
You may have read an article, in the Washington Post on July 17, 2014, written by, Erin Auerbach, a writer living in Los Angeles, titled, "Why I’d Never Adopt a Shelter Dog Again."
If you missed it, you can read it here: Sharing This Story from The Washington Post (PostEverything Section) - Why I’d Never Adopt a Shelter Dog Again - What Are Your Thoughts?
These are my thoughts on her article:
1. She says, "Rescue and shelter dogs are a crapshoot. Although it’s hard to track down reliable statistics, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates that about 3.9 million dogs go to shelters each year and 1.2 million are euthanized. Generally, these groups know only how an animal came into their possession. Behavior issues, illnesses or a high maintenance cost usually only rear their heads after adoption."
My response:
Both of my shih-tzus', Sugar and Domino were both rescued in puppy stages, they both crossed over at the age of 12-years-old. Neither had behavior issues. What some people classify as "behavior issues" are only the dog getting use to you, and in puppy mode. They are in a new environment, and are a little scared. It is up to you, the adopter, to reassure, and reinforce good behavior.
Neither of my dogs were sick after adoption, only going to the vet for regular checkups. It wasn't until the age of 12-years-old that Sugar, developed heart decease, and Domino, developed cancer on his spleen. Just as we age, and get illnesses, it is expected that some dogs will develop illnesses in their senior years.
High maintenance? When you adopt from an animal shelter, the fees are usually low with some offering discounted fees, and in some cases waived fees. The pet has usually been spayed/neutered, microchipped and had their first set of shots. I don't know about other shelters, but the Washington Humane Society, gave me a listing of local vets for a free check-up within 30 days after adoption.
Does she mean food? Well, it doesn't matter if a dog is from a breeder, pet store or animal shelter. It has to eat, so that is an expected expense. My dogs went to the groomers approximately every 3 months for a cost of $100 for both, and had their yearly shots at the vet's for $ 95 each. My maintenance for them including dog food was about $830 yearly, this averaged out to approximately $70 per month, for two dogs. I guess this is considered the high maintenance cost.
2. She says, "As a lifelong dog lover, I know how to care for sick and struggling animals better than most. I accepted my dogs as they were, enjoying their sweetness and suffering through their problems. But just because I was willing to do that doesn’t mean it’s my life’s work to heal every sick, helpless animal."
My response:
"I know how to care for sick and struggling animals better than most?" Who is she comparing herself too…the millions of pet owners in the world? This statement really struck a nerve with me: "But just because I was willing to do that doesn’t mean it’s my life’s work to heal every sick, helpless animal." No, it's not her "life's work" to heal every sick, helpless animal. And, yes, if you adopt an animal, it is your "life's work" to take care of it. Adopting an animal is a lifetime commitment. It's sort of like the marriage vows…through sickness and through health!
3. She says, "Breeders seemed safer — they’ve had the animal since birth and know his or her temperament and medical history. They also know an animal’s bloodlines and family history. There’s no such thing as a crystal ball, but reputable breeders can provide a lot more information."
My response:
Wow, " Breeders seemed safer — they’ve had the animal since birth and know his or her temperament and medical history." And where did she come to this conclusion? What kind of medical history can a breeder possibly have if you adopt a puppy, only months old? And how can you determine what the temperament will be when they get older? It's like looking at a newborn, and saying, "Oh, he's never going to get sick, he will be a good child, and when he becomes an adult, he will be kind to everyone he meets."
Has she not heard of the stories of breeders who fail and end up as…puppy mills?
I know of two people who purchased dogs. One from a breeder, and one from a pet store. The one that purchased from the breeder, paid $2,300 for the puppy. The puppy got sick, and she tried to return it, couldn't…and never got her money back! She found out later that it wasn't a purebred.
The other one that purchased from a pet store, found out a few weeks later that it had contracted parvo.
4. She says, "As I walked her through my complex the other day, neighbors stopped to pet her.“Is she a rescue?” one asked. My cheeks reddened."
My response:
It seems like the further I get in reading her article, the more my blood starts to boil! Her cheeks reddened? What out of embarrassment, to say that the dog was a rescue? People need to get down off of their high horses, and stop trying to impress other people. Is she to high-class to have a rescue dog? It's the same thing with people who say, "I want a purebred dog." Do they not understand that all dogs, no matter where they come from want the same things, love, a warm bed, food, attention and a backyard!
People sometime classify dogs like they classify cars. They want the expensive cars because they cost more, and look better than a hoopty. When you suggest that they buy a used car, it's, "oh no, I don't want a car that someone else had"…then cringe when they make that car payment every month.
I have a rescue, Jonas, an 18-month-old shih-tzu/yorkie mix, that we adopted from the Washington Humane Society, Washington, DC, at 9-months-old, on September 24, 2013. We are coming up on our one year anniversary with him in September. He has no health problems, and is so adorable! He is the love of my life, and I am proud to say that I rescued him…and saved his life!
5, She says, " I know now that I don’t have to defend this choice to her, or anyone else. Adopting a shelter dog is a lot of work, and it’s a gamble, especially for those who aren’t responsible enough or don’t have the time and resources (emotional and financial) to devote to the animal. Rather than take that risk, I took on a dog I know I can give a good home to. And for me (and Pony), that’s good deed enough."
My response:
No, she doesn't have to defend her choice to me, however, I do want to know what makes her think that adopting a dog from an animal shelter is more work than one from a breeder? You need time and resources to devote to both. She said that she took on a dog that she knows she can give a good home too. Well, so did I. If only Jonas could talk, he would tell her what a loving home he has, a mom and dad that love him, and how grateful that he is that he was adopted!
Ms. Auerbach's article received two other responses. You can read them below:
Lisa LaFontaine, President and CEO, Washington Humane Society
You May Have Read Erin Auerbach's Recently-Published Column ("Why I'd Never Adopt a Shelter Dog Again") - Lisa LaFontaine, President and CEO, Washington Humane Society, Responds - ("Why I Would Always Adopt a Shelter Animal")
Nina Stively, Nationally Certified Animal Control Officer
You May Have Seen an Editorial in the Washington Post titled "Why I'd Never Adopt a Shelter Dog Again" - An Advocate Responds to that Editorial - What She Had to Say
I would like to summarize by saying, Ms. Auerbach's opinions are hers, and she has a right to voice them. However, please do not let this sway you from adopting from an animal shelter. Please adopt and never shop for a pet.
If you are considering adopting, please visit your local animal shelters, you may just find your next best friend there!
I will always have an animal from a shelter in my life, as long as I am able to care for it. When you adopt an animal, they never forget what you did for them.
Please share, and remember, "Adoption is an Option!" and "A person is the best thing to happen to a shelter pet!"
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