Adopt or shop? A veterinarian explains the real benefits and challenges of each, what to avoid entirely, and why the right home matters far more than where your pet came from.
If you ask this question in any pet-related environment you are likely to get very strong opinions from both corners and discussing this issue can be very polarising and highly emotive. As a vet, we are faced with giving pet parents advice on this topic almost daily and then we also watch as pet parents may struggle with their choice and their pet later.
Whilst social media often presents this as a simple choice between right and wrong. In reality, the answer is far more nuanced. Both adoption and purchasing from a responsible breeder can be excellent choices. The most important factor is not where your pet comes from, but whether you are prepared for the new family member and are able to provide for their needs for the rest of their lifetime.
So, should you adopt or shop? Let's unpack it a bit to help you ask the right questions for your family.
Social media will often punt adoption as the best option because then we are able to give a pet a second chance. And whilst this is true and there are many advantages to adopting or rescuing a pet, sometimes the significant challenges are downplayed.
The biggest benefit of adopting a pet is that you give that pet a second chance of a loving home, thus preventing them from sitting in foster care or shelter for an extended period or even facing euthanasia if they cannot be rehomed.
By adopting pets, you help decrease the burden on shelters and rescue organizations who are often dealing with overwhelming numbers of pets looking for homes with little hope in sight of finding them.
Often, an adopted pet will have already received the appropriate vaccinations and would have been sterilised thereby reducing your acquisition costs significantly. Reputable rescue organisations do health and temperament checks and they are often very strict on home checks to ensure that the rescue animal finds a good match. If you adopt an older pet, they are often already trained and house trained.
As a veterinarian, I find that the challenges of adopting a pet are often not discussed or downplayed, yet these can be significant. And if the new pet parent is not prepared for these challenges it can become overwhelming and result in the pet being put up for adoption again.
Rescue pets often have unknown medical histories or behavioural histories, particularly if they were surrendered. They can also have previous trauma or lack of socialisation or training in the significant periods of their early lives which can lead to behavioural issues such as separation anxiety or aggression.
Rescued animals are often crossbreeds and have unknown breeding heritage which can make it difficult to predict how big they are going to grow and what their nature is going to be. This can make choosing the right pet difficult, as you may be looking for a small breed dog to fit into your household but then they grow up into a significantly bigger dog which may make living in your home difficult.
It may sound like I am advocating against adoption but in reality I have rescued all of my pets from unknown or difficult backgrounds and I love them dearly. It is critical to think about all aspects of how this pet is going to fit into your family and how you will cope with their unique challenges. Most challenges can be successfully managed with realistic expectations, patience, and support.
When adopting a pet, choose a rescue organisation that is reputable and has a good track record of getting background history on each pet. Ensure that they are fully vaccinated and sterilised. Take time to get to know the pet before making your final decision. If possible, introduce your pets to the new family member beforehand to see if they are going to get on with one another.
Be prepared for behavioural issues such as separation anxiety, particularly if they have been in a shelter or have been rehomed more than once. Proactively consult with a behaviourist to help them adjust to your home in the beginning.
And then be prepared for the utter love and dedication that you will give them and they will give you in return.
The main benefit of buying a dog or cat from a reputable breeder is that you are able to predict more accurately what the size of the dog or cat is going to be, their likely temperament and needs based on that breed. This can help you to choose the right breed for your household and circumstances.
Reputable breeders will also be able to provide a full family history and pedigree. They also work hand in hand with veterinarians to screen for genetic diseases in the parent animals before breeding with them.
Impeccable breeders will start the training and socialisation process early. This helps with adjustment to their new home, long term behavior and temperament and house training.
Lastly, getting a young puppy or kitten allows you to bond with them early and train them to fit into your household's routine and habits from an early age.
It can be tricky to ascertain if a breeder is responsible or not, and many new pet parents fall into a trap of buying a pet from a puppy or kitten mill or backyard breeder. Whilst knowing what breed you are getting and knowing their family history helps a lot to predict what type of pet you're getting, not every individual in that breed is going to be the perfect example of that breed.
Buying a puppy or kitten from a breeder can be pricey and there are significant costs associated with the early vaccinations, sterilisation and training. Getting a young puppy or kitten also requires a significant time commitment with regards to training and socialisation.
Breeds with small gene pools in your area may also be more likely to develop genetic diseases or other health issues which can lead to significant cost and heartache later on.
A responsible breeder will care more about the welfare of the animals that they breed with than profit. They will always be able to provide the relevant pedigree and family history of the mother and father and will allow you to meet your new pet's parents. Responsible breeders will also allow you to visit their premises to inspect the conditions that the pets are kept in.
They will be able to provide records of genetic screening and other medical care and they will often do house visits to ensure that your home is suitable for that pet.
Whilst adopting or shopping both have significant benefits and challenges, there is one thing that we should avoid altogether. And that is supporting puppy/kitten mills and backyard breeding. These types of breeding result in a number of puppies or kittens requiring homes with unknown backgrounds, screening or planning for their lives and this is a significant driver of abandoned animals or animals with significant health concerns.
We should be standing together with our local rescue organisations and animal welfare organisations to clamp down on puppy and kitten mills and backyard breeders. Avoid supporting these setups as it just perpetuates the problem.
Many new pet parents are unprepared for the significant time, resource and financial commitment associated with having a pet. We are often taken in by a cute puppy or kitten and then down the line it becomes impossible to provide for them as we should. This leads to many animals entering shelters or rescue organisations.
Before you take on a new pet be sure to research the rescue organisation or breeder thoroughly. Do your research in terms of what that breed needs and how you will be able to provide for those needs. Chat to your veterinarian before acquiring the pet about the costs and commitment required. And plan for the significant financial burden that comes with it.
By doing your research and planning for your pet you are setting you and your new family member up for success. And reducing the number of homeless pets.
The goal should be to reduce the number of animals entering shelters by promoting responsible breeding, responsible adoption, and responsible ownership.
Questions pet parents should ask themselves:
Once you know these things you will be able to find a better match for your lifestyle. A busy family, with children may not have the time or resources to care for a dog that requires a lot of exercise or grooming. Or an elderly couple may not be able to manage an active, large breed dog. A person that travels a lot might be better off considering a cat that is more independent.
The "best" pet is the one whose needs match your family's lifestyle.
Whether you adopt from a rescue organisation or purchase from an ethical breeder, the most important decision is choosing responsibly and committing to that pet for life.
Responsible breeders, rescue organisations, veterinarians, and committed pet parents all play an important role in improving animal welfare.
The real goal is not simply to reduce the number of pets in shelters today. It is to create a future where fewer animals need shelters in the first place through responsible breeding, responsible adoption, and responsible ownership.
A pet's future is determined far more by the home it goes to than by where it came from.
