There is a lot of conflict between adopting a pet and buying from a breeder or puppy mills. Adopting from a shelter is the best thing you could do when looking for a fuzzy family member.

There are a lot of shelters in the United States; many of them are overflowing with homeless animals. 1.5 million animals are euthanized in the USA due to the overflow and the decreased interest for adopting.

According to the ASPCA, 3.2 million animals, like cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs are being adopted each year, but there are still many animals coming into shelters.

There are so many benefits from adopting. You save basically two lives, the pet you adopt and freeing a space for a new animal to get the opportunity to get adopted. Also, most sheltered animals have gotten their shots, been spayed or neutered, and are potty trained.

Yes, there may be some benefits from buying from a breeder. For example, you’ll know the family history of the pet, the animal will always have a home, or you’ll meet your pets’ parents. These might be nice to know if your pet has any health issues and you need to track down details, but, in my opinion, that does not outweigh the benefits of adopting.

On the complete opposite side of things, there are pet stores who buy from puppy mills. Puppy mills are places where people force dogs to breed over and over again to sell to stores or other people. The lives of the dogs in these types of places are miserable. Puppies are removed from their mother at the age of six weeks, depriving them of the socialization that is needed as a puppy. They are also put in wired cages. Being kept in cages like these can prevent a healthy life for the animal. It’s also just cruel.

There are plenty of places to find a companion here in Kansas City. We have two big adoption sources: Wayside Waifs and the KC Pet Project. I have adopted two cats from Wayside Waifs and one from KC Pet Project. When adopting, they make sure you are taking home healthy, happy pets.  There are a lot of homeless animals in need of love. Adopt, don’t shop.