by Julie Borowski
Recently, The Libertarian Republic (TLR) published an article by Aya Katz titled, “Top 5 Reasons Not to Buy From An Animal Rescue.” I read it and became triggered. Luckily, unlike the modern American university, TLR allows for dissenting opinions. So, here it goes:
1. You Will Be Saving a Life
According to Best Friends Animal Society, four million homeless cats and dogs are killed each year in America’s shelters. That’s more than 9,000 every single day! Most of these animals are healthy and adoptable. The reason that they are killed (not euthanized) is to make room for more homeless animals. By adopting an animal from a shelter, you are saving an animal from death and opening up room for another animal. By adopting from a rescue, you are allowing them to save another animal from a kill shelter. You will be a life saver!
2. You Will Not Be Supporting Puppy Mills
Be wary of buying a puppy from a pet store, online, or from classified ads. Many of these puppies come from inhumane dog breeding facilities where profit is given priority over the health and well-being of the dogs. Little known fact: the Amish are notorious for running puppy mills. How can we defeat cruel puppy mills? By not giving them money. The same supply and demand rules apply. Instead of buying a dog from a pet store, go to your local shelter or rescue instead!
Yes, rescues do charge an adoption fee. This is not a “money-making scheme” as Aya Katz claims. The adoption fee is often not enough to cover all the expenses incurred by the rescue from taking the animal in. Rescues have to factor in the costs of shelter, food, veterinary services, pet supplies, and other necessities. Especially if a dog is senior or special needs, he or she could wait years to find a forever home. That adds up!
3. You Will Be Fighting Dog and Cat Overpopulation
Sane animal rescuers (aka not PETA) do not have a problem with responsible breeders. We love dogs and cats! We do not want them to go extinct, like Aya Katz says. Our problem is with irresponsible and cruel breeders — which there are far too many of! We also have a problem with owners who let unfixed cats outside to mate with feral cat populations. Katz says we are contributing to the demise of all domestic animals in the US? Oh please. With millions of cats and dogs being killed in shelters due to overpopulation, this is not a worry at all. If you’re dead set on buying a puppy, we ask that you do your research to make sure that the breeder is responsible and cares about the health of the dogs.
4. You Will Also Be Helping People
Rescues are overwhelmed with people calling to try to surrender pets. Some people have lost their jobs or homes and cannot afford to take care of their pets anymore. Some people are terminally ill and want their pets to be taken care of. Some people are in a domestic abuse situation, and pets are not allowed at domestic abuse shelters. These people are desperate and the last thing they want is to drop their beloved pet off at a kill shelter. By adopting an animal from a non-kill rescue, you make it possible for the rescue to help out another animal AND person in need. I have grown more empathy for people by being involved in animal rescue because I’ve listened to their struggles.
5. Your Pet Will Thank You
My two rescued cats are very grateful to finally have a home and it shows 🙂
Do you want to help support animal rescue? I’m participating in Strut Your Mutt dog charity walk on October 1! All of the money will go to fund animal rescue and adoption programs and it’s 100% tax-deductible! Please click here to donate. I will send a handwritten and signed thank you card to anyone donating $50 or more. Thank you!