Adopt a Pet

If you are an unwanted or stray dog and end up in a pound, you’ll probably end up dead.  In Britain some 6-9% of dogs in pounds are put to death every year. In Japan, the figure is more than 70%.

In a pet shop, you select based on looks, color, breed or size.  Appearance is not everything.

You should select based on your PERSONALITY and lifestyle.  Dogs have their own personality. Some are good with babies. Some are active. Some sedentary. Some independent. And some needs lots of attention.For example, an owner’s sedentary lifestyle don’t match well  with an active dog who needs running and exercising.

A pet shop’s priority is profit while an animal shelter’s priority’s is to find a perfect match. Shelter homes know their dogs well. Divorce is not in their interest.

In animal shelters, you’ll find a better match than in a pet shop.

There are limited pets to choose  in a pet shop. In Singapore there are hundreds of pets available for adoption through the various animal shelters list from this website.

Puppies in particular need more of your attention such as house training, obedience training, and regular medical attention.  On the other hand, an adult is is calmer and may not need as much training or attention.

Staff at the pet shelters know the temperaments of the dogs, so they can help you find a perfect match based on your personality and lifestyle.

7  Reasons To Adopt a Pet

Why Buy When you can adopt a pet?

Here are 7 reasons why you should adopt a dog or cat:

1.  Hundreds of dogs are killed (to put it kindly, put to sleep) each year because they are unwanted. Animal shelters are overcrowded.  When you buy a pet, it adds to the overpopulation.

2. When you adopt a pet, you save a life which might die if no one adopt them. Adopting it make room for one more dog to be kept at the shelter. You save  2 lives.

3.  When you buy a pet from a petshop, you cannot return it. But most rescues will take your pet back.

4. Sheltered dogs are usually ready for you. They are vaccinated, microchipped, have undergone medical checkup and are fit for adoption.

5. When you buy a puppy, you do not know its personality. When you adopt an adult its personality is already developed so you can assess if it is suitable for you or not. The staff at the shelter/rescue know the dog’s temperament and they can match you with the right dog.

6. When you adopt a pet, you have an instant friend for life. To them you are the hero and they will show their appreciation to you for the rest of their life. They will bond quickly with you. They will make for a affectionate, attentive and loyal friend.

7.  Do you know where the local  pet store get their puppies from? Could it be from a puppy mill? A puppy mill is a factory where puppies are churned out quickly so they are forced to breed at unhealthy rates. The puppies are weaned early from their mothers. They are kept in small cramp cages and never get to run freely. There is little human interaction. Imagine the mental and physical conditions of these animals. The aim of the puppy mill is to sell to the pet stores and make a profit. It’s a business. So the welfare of the animal is not their primary concern.  When the buying stop, so is the breeding.

“Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.” – George Elliot

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” — Gandhi

“The purity of a person’s heart can be quickly measured by how they regard animals” ~ Anonymous

“All of the animals except for man know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it.” — Samuel Butler

“A dog is the only thing on earth that will love you more than you love yourself.” ~ Josh Billings

“There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.” ~ Ben Williams