Abigayle Lipscomb

Contributing writer

atl5355@psu.edu

Everyone growing up when asking for a pet has heard the same thing, “Pets are a big responsibility,” which is true. Taking care of a living thing is a lot of work, as you have to feed it, water it, make sure it gets enough exercise, and depending on the animal, you have to make sure it has the correct living accommodations. Though, it’s also a really big responsibility of where you’re getting this pet. Are you getting them from a chain pet store, a breeder, or are you going to adopt from a shelter? It’s all a lot to process.

“Adopt, Don’t Shop” is a very common phrase to hear when expressing interest in getting a new pet. It’s plastered all over social media, all over T-shirts, and some people totally live by it. The slogan was created for a campaign that helped bring awareness to the struggles of shelter animals in hopes that more people would adopt rescue animals rather than buying from a pet store or online. This is because most animals that are sold from these places come from mills that hold no regard for the welfare of the animals they breed and distribute. Instead, their only worry is profit. 

Having two rescues myself, I do believe that people should consider looking at their local shelters when potentially getting a pet. Not only are they making a lifelong friend, they’re giving an animal a second chance at life. Shelters also have a wide variety of animals to choose from, like basic animals such as dogs and cats to guinea pigs, rabbits, rats; the list goes on and on. I find it rather difficult to walk into a shelter and not fall in love with at least one animal there. 

We actually almost adopted two dogs when we were getting our second rescue dog, Cooper, as the original people interested in his brother had backed out and we felt we couldn’t just leave him there. Luckily, another family just so happened to come in looking for a dog and fell in love with him, so it all ended really well. We still get Facebook updates on him sometimes and he’s one of the happiest boys alive. 

While I firmly believe that adopting is the better option, I also understand people’s adoration for certain breeds and going through a breeder to get them. I don’t believe that people should be demonized for buying a purebred or specific mixed breed from a breeder, just as long as they put forth the time and effort to research and find a reputable breeder that takes proper care of their animals. 

My first dog ever, Phoebe, was actually a purebred Shih Tzu that we bought from a family friend. We knew exactly what type of conditions our dog was coming from and had no reason to worry about her welfare. Now, this cannot be said about all breeders as the rescue I mentioned earlier, Cooper, was taken along with his mother and brothers from a neglectful breeder. So, research and check-ins are really important when buying an animal from a breeder. 

In the end, people are going to buy their pets wherever they want, but it’s important to try and educate them on more ethical ways to obtain their pets.