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Among 1,000 new pet owners (those who acquired a dog or cat in the past year), the study found that only 24 percent were adopted from shelters. This means a whopping 76 percent of pets were received from sources other than shelters, with the primary reason being a desire for a specific purebreed.
Interestingly, when those who purchased pets were asked what might motivate them to choose shelter adoption instead, knowing that "millions of purebred animals end up in shelters" was found to be the least motivating factor.
Despite Bob Barker's tireless encouragement, the study also found that nearly half of people who have acquired unsterilized pets in the last year haven't fixed them. As a result, more unwanted pets are being born into the world. Owners reported that more than half of the litters born to their dogs and cats were unintentional.
Other interesting findings from the study are that people earning $55,000 or more per year are more likely to adopt from shelters, and southerners and the under-35 set are the least likely to sterilize their pets.
"We hope that by providing this data to others who share our passion for saving the lives of homeless pets, we can break down the barriers to pet adoption and spay/neuter that survey respondents identified," said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of non-profit PetSmart Charities, Inc. "We can all use the data to develop new practices and messages based on what we now know to be key motivators and barriers."
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We adopted our dog..She is the best, I will always adopt these animals are full of love and are fantastic, We adopted an Akita 6mos and that was 4years ago...she is a huge part of our family!!!
Our family just adopted (what we think is) a Carnauzer from the ARL 6 months ago. He has been a wonderful addition to our family.
We adopted our purebred girls from a home-based breeder as adults. They had both had litters of puppies and one had been in three homes in just over three years. The vets says it's likely she had at least four litters. She bites her nails and has huge separation anxiety. Our other little girl took about a year to learn to cuddle or even be held. Now she's first in line for snuggling. While we may not have gone to a shelter, we certainly believe we rescued our girls. They have both been spayed and are living in SpoilMeRotten Land where they are dearly loved.
Akitas are awesome. I have one full-bred akita that was from an unwanted litter, and I also have an akita-rottie mix, another from an unwanted litter. They're both sweet and fun and affectionate and very protective. I love them both!! And I have 7 cats, all of whom are adopted/rescued, and except for the littlest fellow, all neutered, all males, and the little guy's going next month.
Sorry, I have a completely different experience. I adopted a rescue Cocker who has a horrible temperament. He was obviously abused by his prior owners and will try to nip people he doesn't know. I've taken him to numerous dog behaviorists and nothing has really helped so any time someone visits he has to be segregated from everyone else. He's now 13 1/2 and has settled down a bit but he still can't really be trusted. The next three dogs I bought from an ethical breeder. I was able to see the parents and judge their temperaments. I saw the spotless conditions the puppies were raised in and I saw the health clearances from the parents. It is everyone's CHOICE where they obtain a dog. I will never again buy from anyone but an ethical breeder.
I also have a beautiful Akita, they are amazing! My Kodi rarely barks, only if there is a good reason. If he does bark, then I know somone is on the property. He is the best!!!!!
to Michlyn....what you are calling a "carnauzer" is a Cairn terrier crossed with a Schnauzer...better known as a MIXED breed. Pleeeease DO NOT turn the mix into a "DESIGNER breed so someone else will deliberately cross the 2 breeds and do it with the intent of "getting rich quick" . There are too many dogs without homes out there already !!!!!!!
The article mentioned that the survey consisted of people who adopted from shelters, but where do the people fit who have adopted a pet from rescue groups? Rescue groups are different than shelters and some rescue groups focus on specific pure breeds. I know many people who (when deciding to adopt a pure breed) go to rescue groups for that specific breed! Both of my dogs were adopted from rescue groups and I think that the survey should have included that.
I agree with you! We also adopted our dog from a regional breed rescue league, and reading this I really wonder why that option wasn't included in the survey. Adopting a pet is one of the most fulfilling things we can do. People need to spread the word not only about shelters, but about rescue leagues as well! Give every animal a forever home!
Also strays. I pulled my cat and my previous cat straight off the street. I wonder if they would have been counted as shelter pets?
I agree totally. The way it sounded, if you didn't get a dog from a shelter, the only other choice you had was from a breeder. We have 5 dogs. We got one from a friend of a friend, one at a rummage sale, one from a rescue group, one from a shelter, and one from a breeder. They are all "fixed," play together, and are a blast to watch. There is lots of love in our house for and from our "babies." But, according to this poll only 2 of the 5 count. Where ever you get your new "kids" should be acceptable if you take care of them.
Rescue groups get most of their animals from shelters. So, technically, they fall into the shelter category. I know this to be a fact because I work for a no kill animal shelter and we share animals with rescue groups. What I mean by share is that we allow an animal a chance to be adopted through our shelter. If there isn't any luck, then we try the rescue groups to see if they can provide hope for that animal. And vise versa. As long as an animal is without a home, they still need to be rescued. Because even in a shelter, they don't have the same freedom, love and care as they would in a home.
Totally! I rescued my one dog from a pit bull rescue and the other I found on the side of the road! I would never buy a dog when there are so many great and really appreciative animals sitting in shelters! They will love you forever!
I tried despirately to adopt a dog from a shelter. I am a responsible dog owner who never lets my dog run free(or even go out unesorted), they are neutered/spayed, trained and are well loved house pets. I was turned down because I do not have a fenced yard. I have 25 acres and a leash and I went to a breeder who was happy to sell me a pup. And now I get solicited for donations by the very Recues who felt I was unworthy of the love of one of thier dogs. Until some common sense in approving forever homes prevails the Rescues will continue to overlook many great homes for thier dogs and we will support the breeders who will consider us.
SAME thing happened to me! They made it so hard all because of no fence...for a 3 lb dog! And I had excelled references from vets and 3 non family members AND the same dogs are still there, unadopted. fence does not equal love, thats shameful! I have a dog that is extremely loved, cared for, and has a great life! I make her natural dog treats! But hey...I dont' have a fence...so no way should I get a dog...take a survey on that! Also, some breeders are not bad...some are good people who have two dogs that are companions with each other and breed on their own...
I agree, many of the rescue group will not let someone without a fenced in yard adopt form them. My dogs are like my kids and get treated better than most people. I would love to help rescue from the groups but it is them telling me know. Really does a Chihuahua need a fenced in yard. I take my dogs on walks 3-4 times a day and go to parks every weekend. It needs to be on a case by case basis.
I also tried to adopt a dog from a shelter (a spayed female) and was also turned down because my male show dog was not neutered. And I do have a fenced yard...
Yeah, my friend, who is such a great caretaker of her animal, was denied because the volunteer for the rescue thought she slept with her boyfriend. Didn't matter that the vet said she was great and she's gotten her certification in pet cpr and first aid, donates to shelters and has fostered for a cat rescue...and the volunteer had like 30 animals at her house!
Donna: people who have dogs who are companions to each other and breed on their own ARE NOT GOOD BREEDERS, they are irresponsible pet owners who did not get their companion pets altered and are having litters without concern for the fate of the pups, responsible breeders make sure both parents have excellent health and conformation, and take care which pairings have litters;
To all those who have tried to adopt from shelters or rescues but were turned down bec of the rules, keep looking, rescues want the dogs they have spent time, love and money to rescue to go to homes where they will be safe, it is not that hard to put up a fenced enclosure, and not all rescues or shelters require that either;
So before you give up and go buy a dog (by the way, a responsible breeder would do a home check too, the ones that will sell a dog to anybody are not responsible), check out other rescues;
If an individual at a shelter or rescue is using their own set of criteria for saying who can adopt and who cannot, then if they are a shelter worker you can report to their boss, if it is a rescue, well, find a different rescue.
Good comment Rachel. I never diss the criteria of other rescues. They do a lot of work for the good of the animals and as far as I'm concerned if you are turned down by a rescue and your next step is to buy a dog knowing you are contributing to the overpopulation problem...they may have been right in their assumption that you may not be a good home. Maybe a bit lazy.
While we have criteria at our rescue, nothing is set in stone. We like a fenced yard, but for a tiny "house" dog, we may waive that standard, we do expect other "pets" in the family to be fixed, but obviously not a show dog...but I mean a real Westminster dog show dog...In closing, if you want to do right by one of the millions of homeless pets you won't whine about being turned down by a rescue, you'll find a dog to adopt.