Should you always adopt pets or are reputable breeders okay?

For many people there’s nothing more exciting than buying a new pet. Whether you are a dog person, a cat person or even perhaps even a guinea pig person—there are many avenues you can take to buy a furry friend.

If you have a particular breed or look in mind it may take some searching online and shopping around. Most people would agree that when buying a pet the one thing you don’t want to do is support dodgy backyard breeders and hoarders that are just in the industry to make a quick buck.

When you’re ready for a new pet, your first step is deciding on whether you should go to a shelter or a breeder.

Pros and cons of buying from a breeder

It is important when buying from a breeder you make sure they are reputable and registered. Anyone can breed animals; whether they are equipped to look after them is another story.

Many people love buying from reputable breeders because they can see the animal’s parents—which usually gives them a good idea of what their young pup or kitten will look like as an adult. Reputable breeders can also give you a detailed account of your pet’s lineage and history. This can be very handy when going for vet check-ups and can be helpful for owners as they try and make their pet as comfortable as possible.

This history will also give you a better idea of a dog or cat’s personality and any health issues specific to their breed. If you want your dog to compete in competitions, a breeder can provide you with papers and conduct genetic health tests confirming the purity of the breed. 

Some of the cons when buying from a breeder include the higher cost and the effort. Breeders usually sell their animals as young pups and kittens meaning it is up to you to train them, get them desexed and spend more time shaping their personality.

When buying from a sanctuary or rescue, most of the animals are older and have gone through these stages already.

Read More: Facebook changes are coming – what it means for you, and for Starts at 60

While many swear by buying from a breeder others say the only place we should be buying our pets from are shelters and animal sanctuaries. “Adopt not Shop” is a statement listed on most charitable animal sites and is a motto many animal lovers agree with.

Those who support adopting pets believe there is no need for any type of breeder as there are already so many unwanted animals in the world waiting for a loving home.

Pros of and cons of adopting from a shelter

When you adopt from a shelter you save the life of an unwanted pet and also make room for other pets in need. Shelter animals usually have up-to-date vaccinations, regular grooming and have often been socialised with other animals in preparation for adoption.

Many are also older meaning they have already be trained and are less expensive. If they have enough money, most shelters will also desex the animals or at least offer a desexing service for a reduced fee.

Buying a shelter animal is also quite cheap when compared to buying from a reputable breeder or buying from a pet store.

When buying an adult dog the shelter can give you an idea of its temperament and personality. A puppy or kitten can be a bit more of a wildcard.

Unfortunately, you can’t always be sure of an adopted pet’s true breed and it can be hard to predict any health issues that may present themselves later. Shelter animals can also be less trusting as they may have suffered from physical and emotional abuse; meaning it may take longer for them to warm up to you.

This only means they might require a bit more patience to get them out of their shell.

So, what do you think? Are you fine with buying a pet from a reputable breeder or do you think we should always adopt? Do you think we should focus on giving unwanted pets a loving home before breeding more animals or do you think keeping the purity of certain breeds is important?

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