Adoption Month

By Dr Benjamin Graham | Vet at Bvsc

June is National Pet Adoption month so we are going to go through some reasons to adopt a pet, rather than buy one from a pet store or breeder.

Employment in the animal care industry relies on the love and care that we all have for animals. Through the generosity and care of donations and pet adopters, rescue shelters and animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA are able to save as many pets as possible for rehoming with a new loving family.

Every year, rescue organisations like the RSPCA provide shelter to thousands of animals in need of a new home. By choosing adoption, you’ll not only have the chance to make a friend for life, but you’ll be giving an animal a second chance and helping support the RSPCA and similar rescues.

Beautiful pets are recovered every day for a wide range of different reasons, through no fault of their own. These include animals surrendered by their previous owners, and sadly some who have suffered neglect or cruelty. By adopting an animal in need, you’ll truly be giving a second chance to someone who needs it.

All shelter and rescue animals undergo health and behaviour assessments, are fed a nutritious and healthy diet, and all dogs and cats are desexed, microchipped, and vaccinated. By adopting a pet instead of purchasing from a pet store or breeder, you will be contributing to the management of the overbreeding pet population instead of contributing to it.

When you adopt an adult pet, you also have the advantage of avoiding the juvenile behaviours of young animals. From chewing to inappropriate urination, juvenile animals come with a host of intensive behaviours and requirements for the early stages of life. Adult animals are most often toilet trained and socialised, helping you settle a pet into a new lifestyle with less fuss.

There are many organisations which can help you along your journey to adopt an animal. From the RSPCA and the Animal Welfare Leagure, to breed specific dog and cat rescue groups. It doesn’t stop at dogs and cats either. There are many birds, rabbits, ferrets, chickens, ducks, sheep and other species looking for their forever homes too.

The love you receive from a baby animal is nothing short of amazing, but the chance to give an animal a second chance at a happy life and a loving family will outweigh that for many of us.