Adoption Advocacy

Too many breeders generate too many litters which leads directly to too many dogs ending up in shelters. 31% of dogs in shelters are euthanized, leading to an average of 1.2 million euthanizations a year (ASPCA statistics). The two best ways to combat these statistics are to listen to the late Bob Barker and spay and neuter your pets, and to adopt instead of shop. Since we have created the modern canine that has evolved to rely on humans, it is our duty address overpopulation by not monetarily supporting unwarranted breeding practices.

Humans have created an extreme variation in the canine species through “artificial selection”, meaning we bred dogs purposefully instead of letting natural selection take its course. This is why dogs that are vastly different like Chihuahuas and Great Danes belong to the same species. We began selective breeding create better hunting dogs, then bred for other purposes like herding, sledding, and companionship. Today, there is still plenty of breeders (primarily in Europe) that are breeding great pedigrees that continue the advancement of the canine species. I encourage working dog bloodlines to persist to keep improving breeds, but the breeders that care more about money than the continuation of great temperaments and drives are the problem. Unnecessary breeding leads to shelter overpopulation but just like any other industry, if there is no market for a product, the production will dissipate. To do this, the cultural/societal norm needs to change to adoption is the first option mentality when looking for a new pet.

I wasn’t able to have a dog when I was younger which prompted me to volunteer at humane societies at age 11. Although I haven’t stuck with it consistently, I highly encourage you to dedicate just a few hours a week towards volunteering at your local shelter. Not only do you get to hang out with some wonderful doggies, but you’ll get a great sense of fulfillment from helping dogs in need.  When you volunteer or work at a shelter, you inherently become an advocate for adopting from seeing t0o many delightful dogs stuck in a cage waiting for a family. Sadly, not all shelters have enough funding for decent training and socialization programs, have enough volunteers to give the dogs needed attention, or enough space and resources to house dogs that resort to their doors. Elongated stays in a shelter can develop behavioral issues that wouldn’t otherwise arise, making adoption even less likely for some. Fortunately, “no-kill” shelters are becoming more popular as well as foster programs and shelter relocation for dogs enduring longer stays. Yet, the statistics listed above are still troubling. Hopefully this blog will make you consider adoption as your first choice, but after volunteering a few hours a week or even a month, you’ll know that it’s the right thing to do.

Spaying and neutering your pet is vital to population control because many pregnancies are accidental. These organs contribute to early development so consult with a vet about the timing of the operation. If you are not continuing a strong bloodline with the purpose of advancing the species, then I don’t think there’s an excuse to not spay or neuter. Imagine having those organs and never being able to use them. This can create behavioral issues and health problems like infections. Occasionally, you will see behavioral differences after the operation but those changes usually result in a calmer dog. 

Understandably, many of us have reservations about adopting. Most families want a puppy instead of an older dog, but shelters frequently receive liters and usually have waiting lists just like breeders. If you are looking for a certain breed, there are also wait lists to sign up for and websites to search for specific breeds in shelters. Others might be apprehensive of possible behavioral issues developed from their unknown past, which is a reasonable concern. Nearly every behavioral issue is treatable through proper training and providing the healthy lifestyle the dog has yearned for. They call it rescuing for a reason! I trained my dog Lance for two months at a dog training school before I adopted him and it still felt like a huge/scary decision, but he's the best decisions I've ever made. On average, adoption costs between $30 and $400 while buying a dog ranges on average from $500 to $2,000 (The Finance Geek). If you spend a just a portion of that difference on training you will have a well-behaved pup happy in their new homes with their new families. Plus, adopted dogs are already spayed or neutered, micro-chipped, vaccinated. If your new family member is still not the right fit for your home after working with capable trainers, you can return the dog. But rarely will a dog with severe behavioral issues be allowed to be adopted to a naïve or unprepared home. If you still have reservations, visit your local shelter! Ask the volunteers and employees questions, walk a few dogs, and maybe even sign up to be a volunteer or foster parent.

We all have our own problems, as individuals and societies. Solving shelter overpopulation can lead to resolving other problems because adopting a dog will be one of the most rewarding decisions of your lifetime. Contributing to local shelters and humane societies in any way will decrease the demand for breeders to contribute to unnecessary overpopulation. Hopefully this was convincing, but if you still want to do some investigating, get off the computer and visit your local shelter. You don’t have to make a decision and adopt a dog right then and there (but you might!). If you don't want to get off the computer just yet, go ahead and research "puppy mills".

I'm strongly believe in being able to laugh at yourself and things you believe strongly in, so check out comedians Louis C.K.'s and Bill Burr’s opinions on dog adoption, especially if you need a good laugh after researching puppy mills. If he and I debated, he'd probably win but you should still visit your local shelter soon anyway!