Writer Feature: Why Adoption is the Best Option

Editor’s Note: Please help me welcome our newest intern, Chloe Becker, to our writer roster! Chloe is a student as Michigan State University, finishing up a degree in professional writing. She lives in East Lansing with her two kitties, bunny, and tarantula.

My mom has never let me live down the time I went out for eggs and came home with a kitten. But it’s true, I passed the sign for a adoption event and before I knew it, the sweet little eyes staring at me from behind the glass were on their way home with me. And while I did forget to pick up the eggs that day, I’ll never forget bringing home my first shelter pet and all the joy that followed. Having only owned rescue animals since then, it’s easy for me to see why they make the best pets. Some people, however, need a little more convincing.

There are many reasons not related to morals to adopt instead of shop, for example price and maintenance. Sure, shelter pets typically cost less in the first place, but your wallet and your rug will be thanking you for adopting a pet who has a higher chance of being house-trained than a brand new puppy. However, no matter how much time or money adopting may save you, the real reward is in the good you’re doing.

By adopting versus buying from a pet store or breeder, first and foremost you’re joining in the fight against puppy mills or breeders who put their profits over the well-being of animals. Not only are the conditions in puppy mills inhumane, due to low standards animals are often prone to chronic conditions and diseases such as epilepsy and distemper. Puppy mills are also known to take animals away from their mothers too soon, leading to behavioral problems as they age. If you’re considering adding a pet to your family, you’re obviously an animal lover like me, so it’s important to take these conditions into account and learn about them if you were unaware of the reality of puppy mills.

On top of fighting the good fight, simply by adopting one animal, you’re saving lives. Yes, lives, plural. There are countless animals in need of a place in shelters across the country. Therefore, by adopting one animal, you’re making room for other animals to have a roof over their heads while they wait for their furever homes. Though all animals seem to have an infinite capacity for love, shelter pets often have a deeper type of bond with their owners, knowing their lives were saved.

Speaking for my two cats, Iris and Kiggy, I thought I was bringing them home to teach them what it was like to have a real family, not knowing they would teach me more about life and love than I ever could. All animals are a gift, but adopting a pet will truly leave you asking “who rescued who?”