Our personal inventory about pet adoption has entered the home stretch. On our journey, we’ve surveyed our environment, our motivations to become a pet parent, honestly evaluated our life circumstances and confirmed our future plans. We know what type of pet could be a good fit for us and gone so far as to try and understand and speak its language. We’ve taken stock of our medical conditions and educated ourselves about potential maladies in the pet of our choice. Everyone is on the same page regarding the pet’s place in the family. We’re committed to handling the unexpected. Armed with this cache of essential information, we now ask ourselves:
Where should I look for a pet?
The Chance Encounter: In 1981, my cousin and her husband swept a cockapoo off the highway in Visalia, California, after they noticed him wandering aimlessly on the shoulder. Fourteen years later, a distressed and pining chow mix approached that same cousin in the alley behind her house. In both cases, exhaustive efforts to find the owners failed. Talk about lightning striking twice! Unless we’re content with dreaming about pet parenthood, the vast majority of us will need to conduct an active search.
Pet Stores: As public awareness that traditional pet stores are supplied by puppy mills, half of U.S. states have banned such establishments. Some reputable rescuers operate out of storefronts and charge nominal fees for their adoption services. About the only companion you can find in a brick-and-mortar pet supply store these days is a gerbil or goldfish.
On-Line: The Federal Trade Commission estimates that more than 80% of on-line pet-adoption groups are shams. Scammers in foreign countries lure us with endearing photos then pick our pockets and never deliver the goods. They claim that our loving bundle is held up in customs, then extort us for more cash. In reality, the pet was only a picture. Steer clear of this faux paws!
Backyard Breeders: Some people go this route when they like a particular breed, but lack the cash for a pedigree. More often than not, however, the proprietor is a dilettante who knows nothing about the weaning process and cares not for the individual puppies or kittens their eternally-pregnant mothers crank out. And good luck in getting a clean bill of health for your pet.
“Responsible” Breeders: Definitely a big step up from their backyard counterparts as they generally create and maintain a safe breeding environment and actively care about the welfare of each whelped individual. The bloodline can be traced back to identify hearty stock. Still, those of us married to a particular set of traits can check out breed-specific rescue alternatives.
One sticking point for many people preferring to obtain a pure bred animal from a reputable breeder is the belief that rescued companions come with “issues.” It is true that the traumas of abuse and abandonment leave imprints, but this does not necessarily predispose a rescue to a life of bad behavior any more than a pristine breeding environment guarantees a “perfectly” behaved animal companion. While I support limited breeding of companion animals for specific service purposes (e.g. Guide Dogs for the Blind), many rescue animals can be trained to assist us with our needs. Millions of pets are surrendered to shelters because of human “issues” including laziness and lack of foresight into the responsibilities of pet parenting.
Rescue Agency or Group: By far the noblest way to go, but beware of groups charging outrageous adoption fees on the pretext of addressing medical needs and providing spay/neuter services. These are the marks of a “flipper,” one who buys low from a dubious source and sells high to the public. Vet the target group thoroughly — including their source(s) for animals — before making any commitments. Ensure that there is a return policy. The genuine article will never balk at such a request.
However companion animals came into this world, all deserve loving and forever homes. The most compassionate, enduring and responsible act we can take is to adopt from an individual or group that has nothing to gain — except more power to rescue and harbor the living products of human greed and carelessness.
Click here for The Humane Society’s list of the “Horrible Hundred” breeders.