Why I Disagree With the Phrase “Adopt, Don’t Shop”

Let me get this straight, I 100% support adopting dogs but I support buying them too. “Adopt, don’t shop” has quickly stopped being used to bring light to the overpopulation of stray and shelter dogs, and has become a way to attack those who prefer a purebred dog. The campaign has become problematic and is blaming the wrong people for the homeless dog pandemic. This is why I disagree with the phrase “adopt, don’t shop”.

Buying From Breeders Is Not The Issue

Dogs that end up as strays or in shelters are not the result of people buying from ethical breeders. The problem lies with puppy mills, backyard breeders, and accidental litters. When you say “adopt, don’t shop” you are undermining responsible dog breeders who put all the necessary work and love into producing healthy puppies.

People spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on purebred dogs. These aren’t the people who are getting bored of their dogs and dropping them off at shelters. This isn’t to say that people who choose to buy their dogs never get rid of them. Life happens, things come up, and sometimes the only option you have is to re-home your dog. However, responsible dog breeders have their customers sign contracts saying that if you must get rid of your dog for ANY reason, you will bring it back to the breeder. A responsible breeder takes the necessary precautions to keep their dogs out of shelters. 

I Do Not Support Buying From Pet Stores and Puppy Mills

There is a major difference between buying a pup from an ethical breeder and buying from a pet store. Pet stores get their dogs from puppy mills and this IS problematic. These dogs were bred solely for money. The person who bred them does not care about these dogs or what happens to them.

When I say that buying a dog is okay, I am not referring to those who purchase a dog at their local Petland. 

It Is Okay To Prefer A Certain Breed

Every dog breed is different and fits a very specific lifestyle. Because of this, it is okay for people to prefer a certain breed. If you want a dog that will fit your active life then you should seek out a responsible Australian Shepherd breeder. If you want a dog that will live comfortably in your small apartment, it’s okay to purchase an ethically bred Bichon Frise. 

Not everyone wants a dog to have solely as a pet. People use dogs for competitions, agility training, and service work. Only certain dog breeds are capable of completing such tasks. If you’re looking for a dog that you can use for work, you aren’t likely to find that pup in a shelter. 

Shelter Dogs Are Unpredictable

The life of a homeless, stray, or shelter dog is a sad one. They go through so much trauma during their lives that they often end up having a very unpredictable personality. Many shelter dogs are known to be reactive or aggressive. It takes a special person to be able to rehabilitate a rescue dog that spent years living on the streets. 

So many dogs are returned to the shelter over and over because they “aren’t the right fit”. When we convince people that buying a dog is wrong, they end up getting a dog that they cannot handle. This is largely why I disagree with the phrase “adopt, don’t shop”.

It’s Okay To Want A Puppy

The only way to guarantee that your dog is raised with the manners that you want it to have is to raise it as a puppy. Finding a puppy in a shelter is rare. If you do, they’ve likely already dealt with a lot of trauma that has begun to shape their personality. 

It’s okay to want to raise a dog from the very beginning of their life so that they will be the best fit for you and your lifestyle. 

You Can Support Dog Adoption While Buying Your Own

I chose to buy my Siberian Husky from a responsible breeder, but this does not mean that I don’t support adopting dogs. You can buy one dog and adopt another later on. You can support shelters and rescues through donation or volunteering. Just because you choose to buy your dog does not mean you’re neglecting all the homeless dogs that need homes.

In conclusion, we need to stop shaming people who buy a dog over adopting. All dogs need homes, and as long as you’re being responsible you are not wrong for the way you to obtain yours. The phrase “adopt, don’t shop” is problematic. You can adopt OR shop, as long as you do so responsibly.