Why You Should Adopt From a Shelter Vs. Buying

Every year, over 1,000 animals come through AAPS’s doors needing help and a new home, many in need of medical assistance to get them healthy again.

Many pets in shelters have been surrendered by loving families who are unable to access veterinary care or pet-friendly accommodation, while some arrive having been victims of cruelty.

To help a pet in need

Despite an increase in adoptions, many thousands of animals remain in shelters awaiting a loving new home. A large proportion of these animals in need are cats and dogs, although there are also a good number of other animals, such as guinea pigs, rabbits, bids and more.

When you adopt from AAPS, you not only help a pet in need of a safe, loving home, – but also create new space for another animal in need to be cared for in the shelter. You’re saving 2 lives!

Because you can find an amazing pet

To some, the thought of animal shelters conjures up images of neglected, abandoned animals with behavioural and health issues, but the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. While some animals do find their way to shelters because of neglect and abuse, for the most part, they are surrendered due to their owners’ change in circumstances, leaving them with no choice but to make the sad decision to give their beloved pet away – this can be especially hard in tough economic climates.

Many animals in shelters are happy and healthy, and just in need of a new, stable, and loving home. In plenty of cases, they are also already well-house-trained and can live harmoniously with other pets and children.

It is also often noted by pet owners who have both adopted a rescue animal and bought from a breeder that adopted pets are often more loving than their purpose-bred peers. Some feel that shelter animals have a sense that they have been rescued and are even more loving for it.

To support your local animal shelter

When you adopt a pet from an animal shelter or other animal welfare organisation, you are supporting a non-profit organisation. Every time a pet is adopted from one of these organisations, it frees up a little more of their room and resources to care for other animals in need.

Shelters also work towards improving general community standards. By ensuring that all adopted animals are neutered or spayed before leaving for their new home, the number of unwanted animals that will be born out in the community is reduced.

To help fight against puppy farms

Believe it or not, puppy farms still exist throughout Australia. In puppy farm facilities, mothers and their puppies are often made to stay in filthy, overcrowded conditions, and forced to sleep, eat, go to the toilet, and even give birth all in the same confined space. The mothers are trapped in a never-ending cycle of pregnancy and nursing, all while living a life of neglect, isolation, and abuse.

To help combat the cruelty of puppy factories and have them shut down, make sure you:

• Choose adoption and visit your local animal rescue shelter

• Report any suspicions of a puppy farming organisation to the RSPCA and local council

• If you do choose to buy from a breeder, ensure that they provide high-quality care to the puppies and parents. Many rogue ‘breeders’ who sell farmed puppies will request to meet in public, refuse to allow you to meet the puppy’s parents or visit their property, or attempt to sell you unvaccinated, unwell, or very young puppies. Puppies for sale on the internet that are expensive yet curiously cheaper than the prices advertised through reputable breeders is another telltale sign. These are all red flags to be wary of.

To save money

It’s no secret that the cost of buying in-demand puppies and other pets from breeders and pet shops can be high, with many of the most popular cat and dog breeds selling for thousands of dollars each.

While there is some cost involved in adopting a pet from a shelter, they are typically affordable and, in most cases, hundreds or even thousands of dollars cheaper than buying a pet from a breeder. Pound puppies, for example, may be a little dearer given their relative value when bought from a breeder, but the costs will still be lower via adoption.

Additionally, many shelters have already provided a considerable amount of medical care to animals before they are adopted, such as vaccinations, spaying or neutering, microchipping, and more. Some of these costs may be covered in the adoption fee, but overall, adopting almost certainly represents a significant saving.

To inspire others to do the same

The more people who adopt pets from shelters, the more normalised it will become. By adopting a rescue animal, you are not only providing a safe, loving home to an animal in need, but you are supporting the shelter, helping them to care for other animals, and inspiring others to follow your lead and adopt a wonderful pet of their own.