Whats the difference in buying and adopting a pet?
What steps do you take in both?
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Snooty Pets
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buying you just pay for it then register it at the vet and all that junk, adopting you choose a dog, and literally adopt it like you do a child. basically, adopting is saving a dog from being put down, and buying is just buying.
Well, “buying” usually means that you are getting a pet from a breeder or pet store.
But, “adopting” tends to lead more to saving a life from an animal shelter.
I hope that I answered your question! Thanks, and good luck,
~ Future Vet
when you buy a dog you just hand the sales person money or a credit card and they give you a dog that is probaly from a puppymill.
Adopting is when you go to a shelter and fill out a application to take in a dog that really needs a home.
You really are saving a life adopting and buying a dog is just like really not the same at all……
With buying a pet, the pet will not be spayed or neutered. You will just speak with the ones selling the pet, pay the money, and take the animal home. With adopting, they are previously owned animals who were not cared for by the owners or they were found wandering around. They are usually up to date on all of their shots and spayed/neutered already. With some places, you will have to be approved to adopt. Then you will fill out the necessary papers and pay the money, then take the animal home. Also, with adopting, many are not babies, and be sure to ask about special needs and if they are animal and children friendly.
Buying a pet, that means that you go into a petstore like a place in the mall and buy a pet, which supports puppymills:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3P0HXRmfKg I don’t recommend doing that!
Adopting a pet means that you go to a pound and adopt a pet that has been abused by their previous owners or was a stray animal and if these animals do not get adopted, they will be put down because there are so many animals coming into these shelters. I do recommend adopting!
buying a pet is typically done through a breeder. adopting a pet is done through a shelter, or rescue program, or sometimes a private individual for both.
Both your home will typically have to be approved and you will have to show intention to care for the animal, and show means to do so. A good breeder or rescue organization will also sometimes run a background check to show that you have no history of animal cruelty charges. They may also call your exisiting vet, or check up on the vet you intend to use for their qualifications. You will pay a fee, ranges everywhere, and typically shelters will require you to fix the animal.
note that i did not include anything about purchasing a pet from a pet store, because you never know if you pet is coming from a puppymill.
Normally in buying a dog or cat someone is going to make a profit from it. When you adopt a pet the organization is more concerned in the welfare of the animal then the profit it can bring. An adoption facility is sometimes more choosy about whom they let their animals go home with. The process in purchasing one is pretty much the same except at an adoption facility you may have to fill out a longer questionnaire and sometimes there is a waiting period when adopting. It can also depend on the type of animal you are adopting. When adopting a Greyhound they actually come to your home and check things out. They want to see what other kinds of dogs you have and what type of yard, fence etc. the animal will have. They are very protective of these dogs.
When you buy you find a reputable breeder (one who shows their dogs, one who only has pups once or twice a year (depending on how many dogs they have), one who wants to know lots about you and not just ‘give me the money and leave’).
You talk to the breeder and make sure their breed is right for you.
You give the breeder money- they give you a dog (with it’s first shots).
They may want to come see your house etc.
You may have to sign a spay-neuter agreement.
A reputable breeder will also want you to sign something saying if you ever change your mind you’ll give the dog back to them…
When you adopt- you find a dog or a shelter (try petfinder.com)
Some will want info about you- your schedule, yard etc.Some will just take your money and give you a dog. The dog may be fixed- or you may have to sign a contract saying you will fix it.
Dog may have shots or not. May be health tested or not.
Some will want to see your home.
Each has it’s pros and cons.
Normally people use “adopt” when somebody goes to rescue an animal from the pound. But many people these days just prefer saying “adopt” because it sounds so much better. They (myself included) do not think about a pet as a “thing” that you just pay for and take home like a pound of potatoes or something. I don’t “own” my beloved dogs. they are complete members of the family, dear, and loved. Just like human children, there are many things they cannot do for themselves and have to rely on their human guardians to provide their needs and protect them, and keep them safe, well, and happy. Hopefully some day everyone will think this way about their animal companions.
When you buy a pet you most likely get it from a breeder or pet store, more may be known about the animal’s family, but a lot of breeders don’t tell the truth (such things as how many litters a female has had, things like that), always go with a reputable breeder, and never buy from a pet store as most of these animals come from mills where all the animals are there for is to breed. When a pet is adopted it is usually from an animal shelter, these are places that likely kill animals if they are not adopted in an allotted time. When you buy a pet a lot of times the animals (usually puppies) have not had their shots, whereas most shelters do give their animals the shots needed, a lot of them also have their animals fixed, some shelters do not have their animals fixed and it is up to the person adopting them to do so (by law *at least in Michigan* any pet adopted from a humane society or the like MUST be fixed) when a pet comes from a breeder they do not have to be fixed unless it is part of the contract signed. Also for the most part those who buy an animal know exactly what the animal is, and it is usually registered with the breed club (akc for example), most of the animals at animal shelters are mixes, though about 20% are pure bread (at least dogs). The major difference is price, animal shelters usualy run between $2-80 for cats/kittens and between $5-100 for dogs/puppies. When someone buys an animal it usually runs anywhere from 250-1500 depending on the type of animal and the demand for that breed.
Buying means anybody can put down money for any animal. It doesn’t matter if they’re responsible, abusive, or plan to use the animal for fighting. As long as you’ve got the cash you can have the animal.
Adopting will include an adoption fee, but you will also have to meet the agency’s criteria. You will have to fill out an application, you will have to sign a contract, they may do a home visit, reference checks and veterinary check.
Adoption agencies care about the animals in their charge. They aren’t out to make a fast buck. They want to make sure the animal is right for you and you are right for the animal. If they have any doubts they may deny you or suggest a different animal.
It may seem like a hassle, but you get a much better match when you go through adoption.
Adopting a pet gives an animal that may doomed to be killed a chance and a loving home that they would not have otherwise. The should be shelters or a humane society near you, those are good places to start. Check the phonebook. They will be happy to help you. Here where I live when you adopt a pet you get reduced fees for vaccines and spay/neuter and that can add up to good bit saved over regular vet bills.
I adopted my dog from a shelter, he was from a puppymill bust. Buying a dog from the store usually funds the puppymill industry. I have never bought a dog from a pet store-there are so many animals that already deserve good homes in shelters, and you will feel good saving a dog’s life.
As said before – unless you have to have a purebreed pet that has papers and can be shown, I would always advise to adopt a pet.
Favorite site here: http://www.petfinder.com
You can browse all pets up for adoption in your area – by breed, age, size, gender – everything.
The site will allow you to view photos, read descriptions of the animals character, history.
And don’t be mistaken – there are plenty of young animals, even babies up for adoption.
There are a couple of definite advantages to adopting an older animal, the main one being: you’ll know what you are getting. Most of the listings contain a description of character of the animal, preferences towards children or other dogs/cats, whether the animal is calm or playful … etc.
You don’t have to house-train an older animal and there are no surprises as to the size and look (my mother in law just bought an expensive designer mix from a puppy store that wound up growing three times as large as she wanted).
Some of the other advantages:
Most people and even Vets will treat you better knowing that your dog was a rescue. Our vet actually gave us a discount after he found out that our pup was a rescue.
We adopted her at five months old and she’s the best dog in the world.
It’s one of the most rewarding experiences you can have – seeing all the dogs at the adoption stands waiting for somebody to take them home and knowing you’re giving one of them a new life.
For large furry pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, etc), I would recommend strongly that you try and adopt before you consider buying. There are too many animals that end up being put to sleep after they were abandoned. If you can help just one you’ll feel really good inside and your new pet will love you for saving their life.
A good place to start looking is petfinder.com. You put in your zip code and it will show you animals up for adoption at animal rescues in your area. You’ll be surprised that you can find more than cats and dogs. You can also visit your local SPCA in person and see the animals there.
If you have a particular breed in mind, try putting that in your favorite search engine with the word “rescue” (“pomeranian rescue” “guinea pig rescue” “labrador rescue” “small animal rescue” etc…) The people that run these rescues are usually volunteers and genuinely love the animals they’re saving.
When you adopt a pet, you usually pay an adoption fee. Depending on the animal and the agency, this can be anywhere from $25-$200, so you’ll want to be sure and ask. Sometimes the agency will have their animals spayed/neutered and get all their shots before they put them up for adoption, but this isn’t always the case. Regardless, you want to take your new pet to the vet for a full checkup right away.
I have 3 dogs that I’ve adopted from animal rescues and all 3 have turned out great. When I found one she was scrawny, filthy, neglected and terrified of everything. My girlfriend thought I was crazy for wanting her but I saw something. Now, only a few months later, she is the most playful, beautiful, gentle, bundle of joy and I can’t imagine not having her.