Should You Get A Dog from the Store or the Pound?

One of the first decisions a potential pet owner makes is wherever to get their new furry friend. Many are captivated by new puppies peeping out from pet shop window but do not know the full story behind dogs' origins. Adopting a dog from a pound as an alternative is an affordable, animal-friendly option that must be thought about by anybody thinking of adding a new friend to the family.

Most enthusiasts feel the need to provide their new dog the best life available, one that consists of regular walks, cuddle sessions at home, security and proper healthcare. They couldn’t imagine that wide-eyed pup they fell in love with at the shop stuck in a small cage with no human socialization, poor access to good food or clean water or lived in unsanitary conditions. The gritty truth is many pet store pups come from puppy mills using those practices to breed half a million puppies each year.

Pet store owners are experienced at concealing the sources of their pups, usually claiming that animals come from known breeders and not puppy mills. Reputable breeders don’t sell their animals to pet stores; in reality, the practice is out of bounds for most breeding clubs' codes of conduct. Ensuring that the pup came from a federally-inspected place also does not guarantee the pet was raised properly. Current rules only necessitate breeders to give a minimum in standards of well-being and many mills are USDA-approved.

Pet store pups commonly suffer from genetic disorders on account of inbreeding and substandard care at mills. Psychological issues are in turn common because of a lacking in socialization. Owners may talk to potential buyers with certificates of fine health from a veterinarian. Unfortunately, this usually only means pups had a brief check-up that did not include vital checks for bugs, genetic issues or other ailments. Health certifications are usually plagued with loopholes and lend little if any protection if the dog becomes ill afterwards. These problems, coupled with the high cost of animals ranging upwards of $1000, make buying a pet from the store hazardous.

The alternative to bringing home a shop pup is to adopt a shelter dog. Nearly 8 million pets end up in pounds annually and commonly, their livelihood depend on getting adopted. Most pound dogs are given up not because of behavioral problems, but since their owners had life-changing events like residence or lifestyle.

Many dog pounds offer services that pet shops do not, including behavioral analysis, vaccines, spaying and neutering, microchipping, deworming and other health procedures. These practices guarantee that the adopted pet is a smooth fit for your family and is truly healthy. The tie between the pound and owners often goes on after the adoption, as rescue groups offer classes and are available for advice during the dog's lifetime. These services are usually included in the price of adopting, which is commonly much less than the cost purchasing dogs from a pet store. Giving a dog from the pound a house is the better second option to getting from the shop.

Christel Gowans isn't a expert writer she writes for fun. She started composing with the intention to share her thoughts and knowledge with the entire world. Her subjects the she publishes on range between dog beds for large dogs to how to build a chicken house. Maybe you have realized all her content articles have to do with animals. Christel has a couple of pooches a kitten and a very good looking bunny called Bugs.