Why You Should Adopt Instead of Buying From a Breeder

When deciding to bring a new dog into your life, you may wonder if adopting is right for you. While you may have the opportunity to go to a breeder instead of adopting a rescue dog, it’s important to understand the facts about dog breeding. Keep reading to see why your next bestie should come from a shelter or rescue — and debunk a few animal shelter myths along the way.

Adopting vs. buying a dog

You should consider several factors when you are thinking of bringing a new pup into your family. These include your preferences as a pet parent, financial situation, and values regarding animal welfare. By evaluating these factors, you can make a well-informed decision that benefits both you and the pet you bring into your home. Here is some info to help guide your decision.

Cons of buying a dog from a breeder

• Health uncertainties: Puppies from breeders often come with health guarantees, but these should be taken with a large grain of salt, as they primarily serve to bolster a breeder’s business. To that end, the Humane Society warns: “They can be full of exclusions and loopholes, and often require you to return a sick puppy to get a refund. Sellers will often use the puppy’s health certificate as proof that the animal was healthy when he or she left with you, leaving you helpless if the puppy becomes sick just a few hours or days after purchase.” Health for any living creature (including humans) is a variable. So, buyer beware: If a guarantee seems too good to be true, it very well might be. 

• Higher cost: Buying from a breeder can be significantly more expensive than adopting from a shelter. Expect to pay between $1,500 and $4,000 for a purebred or designer puppy from a responsible breeder.

• Spay/neuter responsibility: Reputable breeders often microchip their puppies before selling them. But they usually don’t spay or neuter them, because they’re too young at the time of sale. Most reputable breeders require buyers to sign a contract agreeing to spay or neuter their puppy once they reach a certain age, which is typically between six and 15 months, depending on the breed. While some breeders may cover the cost of the surgery, this is not always the case.

• Animal welfare concerns: Unfortunately, unethical breeders are rampant and tend to prioritize profit over animal welfare. This leads to issues like overbreeding, poor living conditions, and inbreeding that can result in genetic disorders, says Bob Bryant, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Mission K9 Rescue.

• Limited availability: Popular breeds may have long waiting lists. So, finding a reputable breeder can be challenging, requiring extensive research and patience.

• Effect on shelter overpopulation: Each dog purchased from a breeder means one less dog adopted from a shelter. Demand for breeder dogs can contribute to the ongoing issue of overpopulation in shelters, where there are more animals in need of homes than people who want to adopt them.

Pros adopting a dog from a shelter 

• Less costly: The cost of adopting a dog from a shelter is generally much lower than the cost of purchasing a dog from a breeder. The adoption fee is usually between $50 and $150. 

• Saving a life: “Overcrowded shelters often face the heartbreaking reality of euthanasia for animals that aren’t adopted in time,” Bryant says. “By choosing to adopt, you’re giving a dog a second chance and freeing up space for another animal in need.”

• Variety of options: Shelters often have dogs of all ages, sizes, and temperaments, which increases your chance of finding the perfect match.

• Known temperament: Shelter staff, fosters, or the previous guardian can often provide detailed insights into the personalities and behaviors of shelter dogs, helping you find a dog whose temperament matches your lifestyle and preferences.

• Health care: “Shelters and rescues typically provide thorough health screenings, vaccinations, and spay/neuter services, ensuring dogs are healthy and ready for their new homes,” Bryant says. These health services are usually included in the adoption fee, which saves you money.  

Busting myths: Why it’s best to adopt, not shop

While the choice of buying a dog from a breeder or adopting one from a shelter is ultimately up to you, it’s important to confront preconceived notions about shelter dogs before making a decision. Often, people have heard myths that make them hesitant to consider shelter dogs. Let’s address some of these misconceptions and highlight why adoption is often the better option.

Myth #1: Shelter dogs are all problematic.

Many people believe that shelter dogs have behavioral issues or are untrainable. In reality, dogs end up in shelters for a variety of reasons, such as changes in their guardians’ circumstances, which are not due to any fault of their own. Many shelter dogs are well-behaved, loving pets who just need a second chance.

Myth #2: Shelter dogs are not healthy.

Another common misconception is that most shelter dogs have health issues. While some may have health concerns, most shelters provide thorough medical care, vaccinations, and spaying/neutering. Most shelter dogs are healthy and ready to join your family.

Also, it’s important to remember that any dog, whether a mutt from a shelter or a purebred from a breeder, can develop health issues. So adopting from a shelter doesn’t necessarily mean higher risks. In fact, mutts tend to be healthier than purebred dogs because of their diverse genetic pool.

Myth #3: You can’t find specific breeds in shelters.

Contrary to popular belief, shelters and rescue organizations often have a wide variety of breeds, including purebreds. Additionally, there are rescue groups that focus on finding homes for particular breeds, so if you have your heart set on a specific type of dog, adoption is still a viable option.

“The right dog for you does exist within shelters and rescues, and subscribing to alerts from Adopt a Pet can aid in connecting with the one who checks your personal boxes,” says Tamsen Kingry, chief executive officer at Richmond SPCA.

Myth #4: Older dogs in shelters are not trainable

Old dogs can indeed learn new tricks. In fact, adult dogs often come with the added benefit of already being house-trained and having some basic manners. Adopting an older dog can be a wonderful experience; they’re often more settled and easier to integrate into your home. Plus, you can feel good about giving a home to a dog who may have less of a chance of being adopted than a younger dog.

Myth #5: You can only get a specific personality from a breeder.

“Nostalgia for a childhood pet can set people up with a narrow vision for the type of pet they expect to have as adults,” Kingry says. This may lead them to buy a puppy from a breeder, expecting them to have the same personality as their beloved childhood pet.  

However, dogs of the same breed can have vastly different personalities. Some may be more shy and reserved, while others might be more high-energy and confident. Just like human babies, there’s no guarantee what personality a bred dog will have.  

In contrast, shelter staff, volunteers, and foster parents spend a lot of time with the dogs in their care and can provide valuable insights into each dog’s temperament and behavior. “That’s shared with adopters and is a much better predictor of how a new companion will fit into the home,” says Kingry.

Myth #6: You can only get a hypoallergenic dog from a breeder.

“Those who suffer from allergies often tell us that they’d love to rescue, but they’ve been convinced that only a poodle-hybrid will avoid triggering a reaction,” Kingry says. However, she says, the label “hypoallergenic” is unreliable when applied to a living creature.

“In reality, dogs are unique and so are the proteins that trigger an individual allergy sufferer’s reaction,” Kingry adds. “Adopting from a shelter or rescue gives you the opportunity to spend time with the individual animal and evaluate your own reaction rather than trusting in the accuracy of a marketing label.”

Myth #7: Puppies aren’t available at shelters.

While many dogs in need of homes are adults, there are plenty of puppies awaiting adoption at shelters. If you have your heart set on a puppy, that’s A-OK, but according to Kingry, there are several benefits to adopting an adult dog:

• Their temperament is known, so you can experience their adult personality up front and know (more or less) what you’re going to get.

• They don’t have to go out to do their business as frequently as puppies.

• They’re likely past the most destructive chewing stage. (Your shoes and table legs will thank you!)

• It can be easier to acclimate your life and your schedule to care for an adult dog. 

• They’re lower energy and easier to manage.

• You’re helping a dog who is less likely to be adopted. And that’s something you can feel really good about. 

Commonly asked questions

Where can I adopt a dog?

You can adopt a dog from local animal shelters, rescue organizations, and humane societies. Additionally, many breed-specific rescue groups can help you find a particular breed. Websites like Adopt a Pet also allow you to search for adoptable dogs in your area.

How much does it cost to adopt a dog?

The cost to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue typically ranges from $50 to $350, depending on the location. The adoption fee often includes vaccinations, spaying/neutering, microchipping, and a basic health check. Some shelters waive the adoption fee for older dogs.

What does the dog adoption process entail?

The adoption process usually involves filling out an application, a short interview with a shelter attendant, a meeting with the dog, and possibly a home visit. Shelters and rescues want to ensure the dog is a good fit for your home.

If you’re ready to welcome a new dog into your life, use Adopt a Pet’s search feature to find your new family member today. 

References 

Adopting Pets from Animal Shelters or Rescues 

Everything You Need to Know About Breeder Contracts

For the Good of the Breed: Care, Ethics, and Responsibility in Pedigree Dog Breeding