I started off buying my first dog before I knew much about adoption. By becoming a dog owner I met many other dog owners and I came across people helping stray animals and adopting pets.
This led me to adopt two cats and rescue many cats and dogs off the streets. If I never had a dog I wouldn’t have been able to help many animals and learn about adoption. I hope to share some of my experiences with you and let you know why I will always adopt a pet instead of buying in the future. If you’re thinking of adding a furry friend into your home, you might be deciding whether to adopt a pet or buy one.
It’s a decision that many of us face, and it comes with a lot of questions. Should you go for the adorable puppies in the pet store window, or visit your local shelter to find a rescue animal? In this article, I hope to show you why adopting a pet might just be one of the best choices you can make—not just for the animal, but for yourself too.
Adopting isn’t just about giving a home to an animal in need; it’s about making a powerful statement against inhumane practices like puppy mills. It’s about choosing to support community shelters that care deeply about animal welfare. And the whole experience of adopting has always brought me a sense of joy and relief that comes from saving a life and gaining an irreplaceable companion.
So, let’s explore together why adopting a pet often ends up being far more rewarding than buying one from a store and the greater good it can do for the animal communities living amongst us.
Pet Overpopulation
Pet overpopulation is a big problem that leads to many animals living in shelters. Each year, millions of dogs and cats end up without a home because there are just too many of them and not enough people to adopt them. This situation causes many healthy animals to be euthanized, simply because there’s no space for them.
By choosing to adopt a pet instead of buying one, you can help reduce this overpopulation and save an animal’s life. It’s a kind and responsible choice that makes a real difference.
Benefits of adopting
There are a number of benefits when adopting a pet. Let’s take a look at a few of them. Feel free to let us know if you think of any more benefits you’ve experienced.
Saving a life
Adopting a pet from a shelter directly saves a life. Each time someone adopts, they make room for another animal in need at the shelter. This act of kindness helps reduce the number of animals euthanised due to lack of space. You can adopt from both kill and no-kill shelters. If you can choose a kill shelter then there is an even greater chance your are saving an animal that might not live much longer if they aren’t adopted.
Health Benefits
Many pets in shelters have already received important health treatments like vaccinations, spaying, or neutering. This not only helps the individual pet but also prevents more unwanted animals in the future. Adopting a pet that’s already been taken care of health-wise can also save you time and vet expenses.
Cost Effective
Adopting a pet is often more affordable than buying one from a breeder or a pet store. Adoption fees usually cover initial medical costs, which can include microchipping, neutering, and vaccinations, giving you a lot of value for a lower price. If you are adopting from an animal rescue organisation they might ask for your help raising some donations towards, paperwork and transportation costs, which can become very high if transporting animals to a different country.
Combat puppy mills
Puppy mills are places that breed pets mostly for profit and often in poor conditions. By adopting a pet, you’re not supporting these places. Instead, you’re helping to reduce the demand for animals bred in these environments, promoting more humane treatment of animals.
Myths vs. Reality of pet adoption
There are a number of misconceptions people have about adopting pets. Sharing the reality of pet adoption can help more people understand that most of the negative things people hear about adopting pets aren’t true. In fact, in many ways adopting can be a better option because the animals are often already trained, with rescuers and shelter staff working hard to combat behavioural issues and make sure the animals are healthy.
Myth: Adopted pets are not as healthy or well-behaved.
Reality: This is a common misconception. In fact, many pets in shelters receive thorough health checks, vaccinations, and behavioral assessments before being put up for adoption. These pets can be just as healthy and lovable as those bought from breeders or pet stores. Plus, shelter staff often work to correct behavioral issues, making these pets ready for a new home.
In our experiencing rescuing animals in China, we always make sure the animals are healthy and vaccinated before trying to find them homes.
Myth: Adopted pets don’t bond as well with new owners.
Reality: Shelter pets can bond deeply with their new families. These animals are often incredibly grateful to be given a second chance and show their appreciation through affection and loyalty. Adopted pets can become devoted companions, often forming a strong and lasting connection with their adopters.
Massive adoption numbers
It’s easy to think that not many dogs and cats are adopted each year, but this is wrong. About 2 million dogs and slightly more cats are adopted from shelters each year across the US. More and more people are learning about adopting their pets which is great for our animal communities, especially if trap neuter and release programs are also taking place with stray animals to help reduce numbers.
Sharing Our Experience adopting stray animals
If you’ve read our newsletters or other articles we have written, you’ll already know we live in China and have rescued a number of animals here. Our first experience rescuing an animal was a small kitten many years ago. This kitten was quickly adopted within one day by a loving couple who gave him the most precious experience of home life. Our second experience was a small puppy, who was fostered by a lady who rode him around with her on her electric bike. Electric bikes are common in China and it’s not unusual to see dogs sat by the riders feet.
The first animal we rescued and adopted ourselves was Tiger the cat, a beautiful ginger cat who grew up on our community streets with her siblings. One day we found her sat in front of one of the local stores. She was dribbling and clearly unwell. We managed to rescue her with the help of an elderly local lady and a big net. Tiger is an independent but sweet cat that has lived with us for a few years. Our second adoption was Lychee the kitten, a kitten who survived the most challenging diseases cats can face. He is a miracle kitten who loves to play and bond with his older doggy sister Teeny, our Corgi.
Having adopted 2 amazing cats off the streets we have shared some of the most precious and special moments in our lives with them and we hope that when you decide you’d like to fill your home with wagging tails and curious cats that you’ll think about adoption. We are currently looking for homes for some dogs and cats which we will share on this website soon. Feel free to reach out to us for more information about our rescue animals looking for homes.