Why I Don’t utilize the phrase ‘Adopt Don’t Shop’
I personally don’t utilize the phrase “Adopt, Don’t Shop” even though of program I support dog adoption.
The saying Adopt Don’t shop is utilized to promote dog adoptions vs. buying a puppy from a pet shop (puppy mill) or breeder. You’ll see the phrase on t-shirts, bumper stickers as well as as a hashtag. #AdoptDontShop
The reason I don’t utilize the phrase embrace Don’t shop is since it’s okay for a dog enthusiast to responsibly get a dog from a breeder OR from a shelter.
Adopting a dog is wonderful!
But buying a puppy is wonderful too!
It’s likewise extremely important for great breeders as well as great rescue groups to work together, supporting each other.
Rescue groups requirement great breeders.
Why embrace don’t shop is wrong
The embrace Don’t shop phrase is wrong since you should “shop” for the right breeder or the right rescue group or the right shelter.
It’s important to “shop around” as well as do your research study in order to get the dog or puppy that is right for your family.
I comprehend where people are coming from when they utilize the phrase. usually they mean well.
It’s great to promote dog adoptions as well as “Adopt Don’t Shop” is a catchy phrase – particularly if you’re standing outside a pet shop protesting puppy mills.
“Adopt, don’t shop!”
I’d even state it makes sense to utilize the phrase “Adopt Don’t Shop” in that precise scenario, if you’re protesting a puppy mill or pet shop.
I get it. We can all agree that puppy mills are terrible.
The issue is when people utilize the phrase embrace Don’t shop to represent ALL breeders.
Good breeders should not be lumped together with puppy mills.
Adopt Don’t shop controversy
The phrase embrace Don’t shop might potentially alienate a big portion of dog owners who have happily bought their dogs.
These are dog owners who may like to assist your rescue or shelter since they like the breed or they like dogs in general.
They are dog enthusiasts who don’t feel guilty about buying a purebred puppy but they likewise want to assist shelter dogs! You can do both, as well as many of us do! (Such as myself!)
I bought a weimaraner puppy, for example, however I likewise support my regional weimaraner rescue group. In my home, we likewise have an embraced lab mix as well as two embraced cats.
Many households have both “rescued” pets in their house in addition to pets from breeders.
Why I don’t utilize the hashtag #adoptdontshop
The issue is when people utilize the phrase – embrace Don’t shop – to include ALL breeders, not just irresponsible breeders or puppy mills.
Some people take the phrase literally.
But buying a puppy from a breeder is not a poor thing.
For me, it was a extremely positive experience, as well as I would do it again.
We can support great breeders as well as great shelters at the exact same time
Sometimes rescue volunteers fail to remember that a big portion of dog owners are proud of buying their dogs from breeders however would likewise like to support true no-kill shelters.
It’s possible to support both accountable breeders as well as accountable rescues!
Maybe they’d like to volunteer, foster, donate, go to a fundraising event – or even embrace their next dog!
They requirement to feel welcomed in order to do so! Not alienated since of where they got their previous dog.
You might argue, “Who cares! It’s about assisting the dogs! I don’t have time to concern about a ‘Greeder’s’ hurt feelings.”
But this isn’t helpful.
We requirement great dog owners to open their houses for dogs in requirement when it’s a great fit.
Do you believe this phrase “Adopt, don’t shop” really assists more dogs get adopted?
I believe in some methods it has since it’s added to the social pressure to embrace a dog vs. buy a dog. There is a extremely high demand for “rescued” dogs right now. Some shelters in the Midwest as well as northern united states have extremely few dogs in their shelters right now, which is a great thing.
But on the other hand … the slogan perhaps harms dogs by turning away a big portion of great dog owners who are thinking about adopting however feel ashamed when they hear “Adopt! Don’t Shop!” since they have a lovely dog from a breeder at home.
Or, one more phrase they may hear is, “Don’t buy when shelter pets die!”
I’m going to end with a quote from my buddy Tegan Whalan who does it all.
She is a blogger, dog breeder, dog fitness instructor as well as runs a small rescue group!I repeat, she is a breeder as well as runs a rescue group!
She said:
“If rescues ostracize as well as discriminate against breeders, they are losing a valuable resource. many breeders truly like dogs, including rescue dogs, as well as want to assist them.
“This assist can be finances, kennel space, networking or knowledge. If rescues do not interact in an efficient as well as pleasant – or at least civil – method with breeders, they may be ‘burning bridges’ when it comes to the assist that breeders can provide.”
Read the full interview here: exactly how breeders as well as rescues can work together.
Related articles:
How are true no-kill shelters saving more dogs?
How much money do dog breeders make?
5 things I desire rescue groups would never do
When a dog rescue volunteer buys a puppy from a breeder