I’ve recently begun questioning the ethics behind dog ownership. Some people question if owning a pet at all is ethical, and while I’m not all the way behind that thinking, I do think we all need to sit down and have a serious conversation about ethical dog ownership. I’m noticing that many people buy or adopt dogs not understanding what comes with taking care of them. We need to start bringing up the reasons why breeders are terrible, why you should be knowledgeable about your dog’s breed before taking them home and what all comes with owning a dog. But, I think there is an overwhelming sense of human entitlement we tend to have when it comes to animals that need to change.
Before I dive into things to consider and how to consciously shop for a dog, let’s break down why we, as humans, feel entitled enough to own dogs the way we do. Like I said earlier, I think the relationship between humans and dogs is beautiful. I’m looking at my beautiful rescue terrier-mix, Skittles, right as I type this. However, I do understand that I am privileged to be able to own a pet as loyal and awesome as this one. But, I think many people take animals for granted. They see dogs the same way they see a pair of jeans, I’ll buy it. Take it home and see if it fits right with all of my tops. If they don’t, no big deal, I’ll just take them back and buy a new one.
Obviously, when put in terms of analogy, this ideology is heavily flawed. Dogs are living things. They aren’t just items on a shelf. So, why do we treat these beloved animals this way?
Honestly, I am sick and tired of seeing people buy dogs without being informed first. Honestly it’s surprising that people are so uninformed about how to shop for and own a dog when fidos are the leading pet in the United States alone. Sixty-nine million U.S. households have a dog while compared to roughly forty-five million households with cats. Let’s face it, most people you come across are going to have multiple bones to pick with cats as a whole, but their cons list for dogs are much, much shorter.
We love dogs so much, but I would argue that, while the love is definitely reciprocated by your furbaby, a human’s love for their pet seems to be rooted in some selfishness. It’s apparent every time someone buys a specific dog breed because of the aesthetics alone not even thinking about the amount of training it’ll need, the time and space needed for daily exercise, the cost of it all and so much more. We are depriving these amazing, complex, loyal animals of a fulfilling life when we do this. And I think if more people just understood the impact being made, everyone would be able to make a much more informed decision when buying a pet.
Now, let’s talk about breeders. I’ve written before about the negative impact animal breeders have on not only the animal, but the pet owner. And dogs are no different. If given the choice between adopting a dog and buying one from a breeder, I will choose to adopt each and every time. Did you know that only 10% of dogs born end up finding a permanent home? Do you know what happens to the other 90%? They end up in shelters. But here’s the catch: shelters are already so overrun, this results in dogs being euthanized. And the dogs being euthanized are not just the sick or dangerous ones, approximately 2.7 million perfectly healthy dogs end up being put down. Why is this happening? You guessed it, because of breeders. There are over two million puppies coming from puppy mills each year. It isn’t lost on anyone who has done the research why there is an overpopulation of animals in the shelter.
But the biggest problem isn’t just the breeding alone, it’s the misinformation these breeders give to dog owners that keeps the cycle going ‘round and ‘round. Pet parents are being told that their dog is one breed, when they are really another. Breeders are neglecting to give all of the proper information on how to fully take care of the dog you are buying. And on top of it all, these dogs are rarely getting the proper veterinary care they would receive at the shelter.
So you are going home with little to no information about how to care for this precious being and you aren’t getting the animal at its healthiest. You are already being set up for failure. So, once you realize the dog doesn’t fit into your lifestyle, you give them away to the shelter and the cycle has continued.
So, I urge all potential and current pet owners to do the research. Make sure you understand the amount of time and energy you will need to give to this pet before purchasing. That way you aren’t contributing to the sad reality of pets and shelters. Adopt, please do not shop! The shelters have an amazing variety of animals and will have all of the answers and resources you need to be completely informed about your pet before you take them home and make them your forever friend!
