Comments on: 9 Reasons You Should Never Buy an Animal from a Pet Store

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:21:40 +0000

Excellent post! Who says money can’t buy love? Nothing more heroic than rescuing an otherwise unwanted life. I agree, too, that anyone wanting a purebred can find one at their local shelter or any specific breed rescue in their area. Right now in Northern California the shelters are packed with Chihuahuas, Pomeranians and, often, Dalmatians. Not only that but the shelters will often let black dogs and cats go for less than other colored pets. A good incentive to save a few bucks while acquiring a wonderful new family member!

By: tirsden

tirsden — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:47:33 +0000

What makes me sad is that the animals even in a bad-rep pet store also need homes. It’s too bad too many people keep buying them so the pattern repeats itself. I myself would go with a shelter (though in the past until learning better I didn’t know better), and have recommended that choice to any who ask or mention thinking about a pet. I can’t have pets at the moment so the point is moot but I’m moving soon and will have better control over where I can pick to live. I’m thinking cat, ferret, or bunny, slated for indoors of course, and from a shelter. Can’t wait! ^___^

By: Gaws

Gaws — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:34:21 +0000

Great article and (mostly) applicable the world over. Anyone in Victoria, Australia looking for a pet, please check out the Geelong Animal Welfare Society – http://www.gaws.org.au

Unfortunately, we have 10-20 beautiful animals per week that don’t find homes in time to be saved…

Thanks and happy pet finding!

By: coal mine training

coal mine training — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:40:54 +0000

Good advise for those who are questioning where to get a new pet. There are some other important and compassionate reasons to consider adopting a pet over buying from a store.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:07:30 +0000

I think everyone knows it is a good idea to adopt from animal shelters, but it was nice to see all the reasons listed. I had not thought of a few…

Great article.

By: Sara Ost

Sara Ost — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:10:11 +0000

Hi Anderson, thanks so much for sharing your experience. It’s helpful to get an insider perspective on this issue.

By: Anderson

Anderson — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:56:03 +0000

Well, i don’t know about other shelters but at the one i work at, when we decide to put an animal up for adoption, its there til it gets adopted. no window of opportunity, no expiration date. if it takes two years to get the animal adopted then thats what we’ll do.

Also, i appreciate the work that no kill shelters do, but as an employee of an open admissions shelter, its frustrating that people look down their noses at us because of the euthanasia when the no kill shelters are outsourcing their euthanasia to us so their hands stay clean.

just remember, as shitty as it is, euthanasia is an integral and omnipresent part of animal welfare.

By: j

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 07:18:05 +0000

I have only ever aquired my pets via animal rescue centres and they have been the best companions ever. Anyone looking for a loving companion that is not human should seek via these channels. Just the knowledge that you have saved a life is rewarding enough but having that life residing happily with you is beyond words.

By: Kimberly Herbert

Kimberly Herbert — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:19:26 +0000

My two dogs are shelter dogs. They are wonderful companions and are great with my niece and nephew.

By: nerosmama

nerosmama — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:30:38 +0000

My two dogs and two cats are rescues, from either shelters or rescue organizations or in the case of my Corgi, from a local breeder who knew he needed a good home. They all came to me as adults as I want to help difficult to place animals and those are usually the mature/old animal or those w/health issues. If people must have a purebred, there are very reputable breed rescue organizations which do a great job of vetting the potential adopter and matching the individual to the animal. For those not so picky, shelters and rescue organizations have wonderful dogs and cats just waiting for a loving forever home. Oh well, I fear I’m preaching to the choir. Let’s hope the message gets through to more than just we animal lovers.