A closer look into pet adoption
Pets are scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety, so much so that trauma and other mental health-related patients get therapy pets, just to calm themselves down and keep themselves grounded. However, even besides the concrete, explainable benefits, perhaps the most important gift a pet can bring to humans is unconditional love and lifelong companionship.
Despite the apparent advantages, animal welfare associations regularly find themselves in a conundrum. Even as there is a rise in pet ownership around the world, a large of pets are simultaneously abandoned. Whether due to a rise in living costs, stagnant paychecks or a lack of time, millions of pets are left to fend for themselves on the outskirts of town. A lot of these animals find themselves entering shelters that take care of them up to a certain time, until they are put down because of expensive illnesses, lack of funds and a host of other reasons.
By choosing to adopt, people can make a difference in the lives of animals and contribute to the reduction of animal overpopulation.
A solution that can bring this problem to something of full circle is pet adoption. Pet adoption is a wonderful way to bring love and joy into lives while also making a positive impact on the animal community. Adopting a pet can be a rewarding experience for both the adopter and their new furry friend, but it is also a serious commitment that should not be taken lightly. A lot needs to be considered before adopting a pet, and ensuring a smooth transition for them into the family. When deciding to adopt a pet, it is easy to get carried away with the nobility of the deed. However, plenty of adopted animals find themselves back in shelters within the year so it is very important to consider both the practical and ethical implications of adoption before diving in. Factors such as lifestyle, budget, and personal values should all be taken into account before making any sort of commitment.
There are numerous advantages to adoption. For once, shelter animals often come from a variety of backgrounds, but they are all in need of loving homes. By adopting, people can give these animals a second chance at life and often save them from euthanasia. Second, adoption fees are typically much lower than the cost of buying a pet, and the animal may already be house-trained, spayed or neutered and have up-to-date vaccinations. Shelter staff can further provide valuable information about the animal’s personality, behaviour, and medical history to the adopter.
However, taking in a pet can come with some challenges. Some animals may have behavioural issues or medical conditions that require extra care and attention. Adopters must be prepared to dole out some extra love and patience to previously abused or traumatised animals and this is what makes it so important to truly find that passion for animal welfare within you before going into the long and often arduous process of adoption. By choosing to adopt, people can make a difference in the lives of animals and contribute to the reduction of animal overpopulation.
Adoption may not be ideal for those who are looking for specific breeds of animals as adopters usually have less control over an animal’s breed or specific traits. However, by adopting, you may be a combatant against what is known as the ‘puppy mill’. A puppy mill may sound cute but that is only until you find out that it is not someplace that churns out cute puppies but a rather inhumane breeding practice that regularly puts profit above animal health and welfare. According to Azizul Hakim Honey from Animal Planet Bangladesh APB, buying animals encourages breeders who unethically continue to breed animals without any regard for their health. Once unprofitable, mother animals are discarded. The cruel living conditions traumatise younger animals and exhaust older ones. “They think animals to be nothing more than money-making products, but this is not so. Animals are precious, and this immoral breeding business needs to stop.” A pet from the pet store almost always comes from such a mill and by refusing to buy, you can keep money out of the pockets of these unethical breeders.
There are a number of different animal welfare associations and animal shelters in Bangladesh, which are working hard to give abandoned, hurt or traumatised animals a dignified life. Animal Planet Bangladesh, for instance, takes injured animals to vets or paid shelters for treatment, and bears the costs on its own or through donations, when possible. Fostering pets or adopting them can reduce pressure from these shelters and independently run organisations and give innocent animals a much-needed chance at love and happiness.
Founder & Chairman
Animal Planet Bangladesh (APB)
“They think animals to be nothing more than money-making products, but this is not so. Animals are precious, and this immoral breeding business needs to stop.”