Adopting a better option than buying pets - PETA

MANILA, Philippines - Planning on getting a pet dog? An animal welfare society says adopting is a better option than buying.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) senior campaigner Ashley Fruno said yesterday that with thousands of dogs being abandoned, sent to animal shelters or euthanized worldwide, adopting pets is the best recourse.

Fruno pointed out that pet adoption is not only easy on the pocket but it would also allow the owner to find the right pet that would suit his or her lifestyle.

With several animal shelters in the Philippines, especially in the provinces, that have already reached capacity, the popularity of animal adoption has grown as more people are being educated on the breeding of pets in animal shelters.

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is one of the organizations known for its animal care and adoption program in the country. 

“There are many dogs that need homes at PAWS,” Fruno said.

Animal shelters would normally charge the new owner vaccination and neuter fees for rescued dogs compared to pet stores and animal breeders that sell their dogs at a higher price.

“In pet stores, you take the risk of not knowing how the animals were bred. You don’t know their temperament. While those in the animals shelters have veterinarians who would take care of the pets and vaccinate them, before they would be put up for adoption,” Fruno explained.

There had also been cases when they would receive complaints that pets bought from big animal markets died. The buyer was unaware how the pet was raised or its medical history.

A person scouting for a pet would only have a limited time to observe and learn the temperament of an animal being sold in a pet store.

Whereas in the case of the animals found in the shelters, the resident veterinarian or caretaker would be able to give the owner tips and pointers on what is the suitable animal for him. 

Other factors in the person’s life would also be considered, such as if he has a family or lives independently and if he has a big yard or limited space. 

The PETA officer also dismissed speculations that dogs left at the shelter would be more difficult to tame and train. “The cliché ‘you can’t teach old dogs new tricks’ does not apply here.”

The animal welfare group revived its “Adopt, Don’t Buy” campaign after Uggie the dog, which starred in films such as “The Artist” and “Water for Elephants.” was used in one of its advertisements to promote animal adoption.

The new PETA campaign’s title is “I’m Uggie, and I was adopted. Millions of dogs are waiting in animal shelters for a loving home. Adopt, Don’t Buy.”

The 10-year-old Jack Russell Terrier was reportedly rejected by his two owners because they could not handle his energy. 

It was dog trainer Omar Von Muller who stepped in and prevented Uggie from ending up in an animal shelter.

Von Muller fell in love with his fearless, playful attitude and his star quality.

By showing that a once rejected dog can become an award-winning pooch, PETA hopes to convince other pet lovers to adopt animals from shelters.

Uggie received the Palm Dog Award at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival and a special mention at the Prix Lumire Awards in France.

“Animal shelters are full to the brim with dogs and cats who are waiting for the opportunity to become the star of a loving family,” PETA campaign manager Rochelle Regodon said.

“PETA encourages everyone who is considering bringing a canine companion into their lives to save a life by adopting from an animal shelter – and never patronizing breeders or pet stores,” she added.

PETA also pointed out that there are instances when breeding facilities and pet stores would offer little comfort and care to the animals or would breed animals under cruel conditions.