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Don’t Buy That Doggie in the Window -- Go to Your Local Shelter

Posted October 2, 2008

I have a confession to make. Back in the mid 1980s, I decided to get a dog for my young daughter. I wanted an animal companion in the house and figured a dog would help teach responsibility and compassion. I researched breeds and chose one that was suitable for our lifestyle. So far, so good.

Here’s where I fell short: I didn’t adopt.

At the time, I was completely unaware of the existence of our local animal shelter and of breed-specific rescue groups. I had no idea that millions of friendly and lovable companion animals -- pure and mixed breeds alike -- are euthanized every year because there aren’t enough good homes to go around. And I was oblivious to the evils of puppy mills, where dogs are callously bred in miserable and unhealthy conditions and then sold to pet stores, all in the name of profit.

I wish I could blame it on the era; animal welfare may not have been as prominent an issue 20 years ago when I was looking for a dog. But sadly, the uninformed choice I made back then is still a common one. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association’s National Pet Owners Survey, only 10 percent of our nation’s companion dogs were adopted from animal shelters in 2007-2008.

Ten percent. This statistic is staggering to me now that I know how critical adoption is in American Humane’s fight to protect animals. I think that if people realized they could help a homeless pet or even save a life -- and get the dog of their dreams -- adoption would be a foregone conclusion rather than a rarity.

October is American Humane’s Adopt-A-Dog Month®, sponsored by FetchDog. If you are considering adding a dog to the family, don’t make the same choice I did. And be sure to spread the word about animal adoptions to friends and family.

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