A ROOM WITH A POINT OF VIEW
Why adopting pets is the humane thing to do
By SONIA FARUQI
I’ve been thinking a lot about the lessons I’ve learned recently, and I’d like to share one with you.
I recently rescued my dog, Rozetta. She is a three-and-a-half-year-old chihuahua terrier from the Dominican Republic.
Soon after, we adopted our second dog, a little darling called Bea, in part to rescue a dog but mostly as company for Rozetta! She is a six-year-old chihuahua terrier from Virginia.
This process taught me a lot about the world of dog adoption.
There are two ways to get a dog: buying and adopting.
The key difference between them is that when you buy a dog, you normally do so from a backyard breeder or puppy mill; when you adopt a dog, you usually get the dog from a shelter.
Why is adopting important?
According to the Humane Society of the United States, each year, 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in the US.
This number is high in Canada as well, with over 100,000 being euthanized every year.
In Canada, the euthanasia rate equates to one cat or dog being killed every 5 minutes; in the US, it equates to 5 animals per minute.
These statistics are frightening, and certainly not what our loyal companions deserve.
A lot of cats and dogs are euthanized because there just isn’t enough room in shelters.
As such, when you adopt, you both adopt a loving pet and open a shelter spot for an animal who may need the space.
If that isn’t enough, here are a few more reasons to adopt rather than buy:
Adopting is cost effective. The adoption fee often includes spay/neuter, a vet check-up, vaccinations, and microchipping. Getting a pet from a breeder or pet store can cost up to $500 extra dollars that you could spend on toys for your furry new friend!
Animals in shelters are usually adults. This means they already have established personalities, and you know who you’re going to be living with. Some programs even match adopters with animals that best fit your personality and lifestyle.
It’s the right thing to do. When you adopt, you’re changing the life of an animal by giving them a fresh start in a good home.
To learn more, check out common myths about shelter dogs on Humane Canada’s website, www.humanecanada.ca.
• Sonia Faruqi is the acclaimed author of Project Animal Farm and The Oyster Thief. The paperback edition of The Oyster Thief is now available wherever books are sold. More info at www.soniafaruqi.com.