Lots of people really wanna adopt a dog, but they get confused whether it’s better to go through a pet store or an animal shelter1. Let me give you the lowdown based on my experience raising dogs:
Health & History: The Background Check and Providing Care
For one thing, shelters take way more responsibility for the dogs’ wellbeing because they’re not trying to make a profit off them. Shelters give them regular checkups to make sure they’re healthy, get them all their shots, and spay/neuter them. Pet stores see dogs more as products to sell, so they sometimes cut corners on healthcare to save money.
Know Your Source
Another thing is shelters are upfront about where their dogs come from – local strays or owners who couldn’t keep them. But pet stores are sketchy about their sources. They probably get dogs from puppy mills or irresponsible breeders, which is bad news for the dogs.
Shelters: Saving Lives
Also, adopting from a shelter literally saves lives. We can’t pretend there aren’t a ton of dogs abandoned or left stray every year. Adopting prevents more strays and dogs being put down.
The Costs: Financial and Beyond
Plus shelters are cheap – just a small adoption fee really. Pet store pups can cost an arm and a leg, especially for purebreds. Shelters even cover the initial vet visit as part of adoption.
And one more thing – shelter dogs tend to have more stable personalities since they already have life experience. Pet store puppies are a total question mark.
Adoption vs Purchase: Weighing the Options
So all in all, shelters seem like the better choice to me. But there are some downsides too – less selection and dogs that might need extra TLC from past trauma. Pet stores let you intentionally pick out a specific purebred puppy to avoid surprises down the road.
Giving Back: The Rewards of Rescue Dogs
The main thing is adopting any dog is a huge commitment requiring a ton of thought and prep. For first-timers, I’d say try a shelter to do good. But ethical pet stores work too. The key is understanding you’re taking on a family member for over a decade. Make an informed decision and be ready to give that furry friend the best life!
Let me know if you want to chat more about the pros and cons of the different adoption options. I’m always happy to help think through bringing home a new pup!
If you want to know some common problems you may encounter after raising a dog, you can refer to 《10 Common Challenges Faced After Getting a Dog》.
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