Why Should Malaysians Adopt Their Dogs And Cats Instead Of Buying?
Many people are now choosing to adopt their pets and here are reasons why!
By Hew Lee Yee — 18 Nov 2014, 04:22 PM — Updated about 10 years ago
1. With overpopulation, there are many animals waiting to be adopted. SPCA Selangor receives over a thousand animals each month!
There are too many animals and not enough homes. Shelters have been facing a pet overpopulation problem for the last few decades.
spca.com
When you adopt from a shelter, you become part of the solution to the overpopulation crisis. You give a deserving animal a new home. You free up cage space for another animal needing to be adopted. And your adoption fee goes toward the shelter’s education and spay/neuter programs, which help prevent more unwanted litters.
apsofdurham.org
2. Adopting a pet is essentially saving a life! Doesn't it feel great?
There is limited space at shelters, staff members sometimes need to make very hard decisions to euthanize animals who haven't been adopted. The number of euthanized animals could be reduced dramatically if more people adopted pets instead of buying them.
humanesociety.org
Adoption will not only save the life of the pet you are adopting but will also make room and free up precious resources for another animal that the shelter will take in. Adopting an animal from a shelter is the best way to help the shelter continue its work.
spca.com
3. A puppy at the pet store could cost you thousands of ringgit but significantly less at the shelter (the price of adopting an animal from PAWS can be as low as RM50)
Adopting a pet from an animal shelter or rescue group is much less expensive than buying a pet at a pet store or through other sources.
humanesociety.org
In addition, animals from many shelters are already spayed or neutered and vaccinated, which makes the shelter’s fee a bargain.
vetstreet.com4. Old or young, you can choose a pet of any age to your heart's desire
Though puppies and kittens are cute and cuddly, they can also be a handful. An adult or older pet may be a better fit for you.
An adult or older pet that is already trained may be a better fit for your lifestyle. For example, adopting an adult dog that is already housetrained and knows basic commands is often much easier than adopting a puppy.
vetstreet.com5. There are so many choices, you can even find an animal that suits your wacky personality
Rescued pets have full histories … something that can actually be GREAT for adopters. Remember, all pets– even eight-week old puppies and kittens — have distinct personalities. Those personalities will either jive with your home and lifestyle or not. Work with rescue group or shelter staff to find the right fit for you.
petfinder.com
6. Animals from shelters are healthier than you might think
Animal shelters and rescue groups are brimming with happy, healthy animals just waiting for someone to take them home. Most shelters examine and give vaccinations to animals when they arrive, and many spay or neuter them before being adopted. In addition to medical care, more and more shelters also screen animals for specific temperaments and behaviors to make sure each family finds the right pet for its lifestyle.
humanesociety.org
7. Puppy mills that supply to pet stores have been said to put animals in terrible conditions
Most animals raised in these mills are housed in poor conditions with improper medical care. They are often in poor health and have ongoing behavior and health problems due to lack of socialization and human companionship, and are often inbred. Mill animals are sold to unsuspecting consumers in pet stores, over the Internet, and through newspaper classified advertisements.
vetstreet.comBy adopting instead of buying a pet, you can be certain you aren't supporting cruel puppy mills with your money. Puppy mills will continue to operate until people stop purchasing from them.
humanesociety.org
8. Female dogs in puppy mills are bred when they are in heat in a commercial dog-breeding facility for mass distribution to pet stores
Puppy mills will breed a female dog every time she is in heat. For instance, a 5-year-old dog could have given birth to 10 litters of puppies.
dosomething.org
Female dogs are bred twice a year and are usually killed or abandoned when they are no longer able to produce puppies.
9. Some Malaysians are insistent on obtaining purebreds or designer dogs but are unaware of the plight that comes with it
“People just see a designer breed and say, ‘I’ve never heard of that dog, but it sounds cute.’”
Buyers may be swayed by talk of “papers” and “AKC registration,” but these papers cannot ensure good temperament or good health. Says one veterinarian, “The best use of pedigree papers is for housebreaking your dog. They don’t mean a damn thing.”
10. Previously-owned pets are usually already housetrained. Hey, that's half the job done!
Most shelter residents are healthy, affectionate animals. Many have already lived with a human family and have the basic training, socialization, and cooperative skills they need to become part of your household.
apsofdurham.org
11. Many pets are put into shelters for various reasons and it doesn't mean that they aren't good pets
It is a common belief that animals end up in shelters because they were abused or behaved badly. In truth, many animals in shelters are there for reasons that have more to do with their previous owners than the pets themselves: divorce, moving, lack of time, and financial constraints are among the most common reasons why pets lose their homes.
vetstreet.comShelter animals make great pets. A “second-hand” pet in no way means second-rate. On the contrary, many shelter animals seem to sense what they were up against and become among the most devoted and grateful companions.
apsofdurham.org
12. Is everything a bit too much to handle? Fret not, as you'll have a support system
Rescue groups often provide support for new owners because keeping pets in good homes is in the best interest of these groups. So if you are worried about health issues, want advice on what kind of dog food to buy, or have other newbie questions, the shelter staff will probably have opinions and advice to share.
vetstreet.comIn addition, shelters offer educational literature on all aspects of pet ownership, and they often provide ongoing advice, guidance and training suggestions.
apsofdurham.org
If you're interested in adopting an animal, here are a few places you can refer to:
SPCA Selangor
Address:No 2, Lorong Kolam Air Lama 2, Ampang Jaya, 68000 Ampang (A bungalow house just next door to the animal shelter!)
Tel: 03-42565312 (9am - 4pm Daily)
Email:[email protected]
PAWS Animal Welfare Society
Pilmoor Estate, Subang Airport Road,
47200 Subang, Selangor, Malaysia.
WAZE: PAWS ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY
Tel: +603 7846 1087
Email: [email protected]
paws.org.my
PetFinder Malaysia: Check out Malaysia's most adorable pets for adoption! Save homeless animals now by adopting and giving them a loving family. Rabbits, hamsters, birds and other pets available too. Check out http://www.petfinder.my/
petfinder.my