Are you looking for a pet?
By denise36
@denise36 (128)
United States
July 6, 2010 6:55pm CST
If you are looking for a new member of the family? Try a shelter or rescue group instead of going to a breeder. There seems to be a misconception out there that dogs in the shelter are somehow damaged. I run a non profit animal welfare organization and see all kinds of beautiful wonderful loving animals come into our adoption program. If you are looking for a specific breed just type in the name of the breed into any search engine with the word rescue after it. There are breed specific rescue groups for any breed of cat or dog you can imagine. The benefits of adopting are numerous:
. If you are adopting from a shelter that isn't "no kill" you will be saving a life.
. If you adopt from a rescue group (breed specific or not), the animals are kept in foster homes so you can get a detailed description of every aspect of the animal. Likes, dislikes, gets along with other animals or children. You name it, because they live in someone's home they know their personalities.
. Breeders sell animals for for profit. Rescue groups adopt animals out of love. Don't get me wrong, some breeders do love the animals but exploting animals for money seems wrong.
. Every animal bought from a breeder leaves one in a shelter that may be put to sleep, just because there isn't enough room anymore.
Millions of animals die in shelters in the U.S. every year. Please consider helping one more survive.
2 people like this
2 responses
@jackall77 (41)
• United States
16 Jul 10
Denise, I know a woman that adopted a pet instead of buying one because she wanted to do the right thing and has spent thousands of dollars in medical bills to take care of the dog because it came with "problems". When I went to adopt a dog the one I liked was also sick. Its not a common misconception, it simply is something that people come accross.
@minx267 (15527)
• Hartford, Connecticut
21 Jul 10
Jackall77 Do you know how many BOUGHT puppies end up having medical problems? And then discarded because of it..
Just like with children -you are not given a guarantee that an animal will not get sick or injured.
When you adopt or buy a pet, you are taking on the responsibility of caring for that animal for the rest of it's life. If you can not afford or don't have the intention of doing so- you shouldn't take on the responsibility.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
12 Jul 10
I don't care if this is a duplicate or not. Amen to what you're doing. I volunteer for a group that rescues and finds homes for cats, and some of the sweetest animals end up needing homes for the stupidest reason. Don't get me started. 
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
13 Jul 10
yes indeed...
Welcome to myLot,you will find a lot of people here feel the same way!
And thanks for the BR.
