Getting a Pet: Shelters vs Buying from Breeders
Reading time: 5 minutes
- Ethical aspects and saving a life when choosing a pet from a shelter.
- Arguments for buying from responsible breeders.
- Financial and time costs of pet ownership.
- Key questions before making a final decision.
- How modern platforms help in the search for a pet.
Article Contents
- Ethics and Saving Lives: Advantages of Shelters
- Breed and Predictability: Arguments for Breeders
- Financial and Time Costs: Hidden Aspects
- Key Questions Before Making a Decision
- How a Classifieds Platform Helps in the Search
Ethics and Saving Lives: Advantages of Shelters
Taking an animal from a shelter is, first and foremost, an act of mercy and responsible attitude towards the problem of homeless pets. You give a second chance to a being that could have perished on the street. Typically, shelter animals are already sterilized, vaccinated, and have undergone an initial veterinary check-up. Often, volunteers can tell you about the pet’s character, which helps make an informed choice. Financially, the adoption fee is usually significantly lower than the cost of a purebred puppy or kitten. You are not supporting the breeding industry, which can sometimes be unscrupulous, but are becoming part of the solution to a social problem.
Breed and Predictability: Arguments for Breeders
Buying from a responsible breeder is the choice for those looking for a pet with specific, predictable qualities. This concerns not only appearance and size but also character traits, health, and instincts, which is especially important for working or service dogs. A good breeder provides documents of origin (pedigree), information about the parents’ genetic tests, which reduces the risks of hereditary diseases. They become your guide in raising this particular breed. The key word here is ‘responsible’. Such a breeder cares about the fate of every puppy and does not view animals as merchandise. You can find them, among other places, through verified ads in the “From Hand to Hand” section.
Financial and Time Costs: Hidden Aspects
It’s important to assess not only the initial expenses but also the long-term commitments. A purebred puppy from a breeder is expensive, but a “free” pet from a shelter will also require investments: for adaptation, possibly for additional treatment or behavior correction. On the other hand, some breeds are prone to specific illnesses, the treatment of which can be costly. Time costs also vary: an adult animal from a shelter may need rehabilitation and patience, while a puppy of any breed needs constant training and socialization. Plan your budget in advance for food, veterinary care, accessories, and, for example, pet sitting during vacation, offers for which can be found in the “Services” section.
Key Questions Before Making a Decision
Before making a choice, honestly answer a few questions for yourself. For what purpose do you need a pet: for companionship, for sports, for protection? How much time and resources are you willing to devote to its training and health? Are you prepared to deal with the possible psychological trauma of a shelter animal or the hyperactivity of a purebred puppy? Talk to family members, ensure there are no allergies. Visit shelters, talk to breeders at shows. This is a decision for many years ahead, and it should be based on information, not just emotions.
How a Classifieds Platform Helps in the Search
Regardless of your choice, modern services significantly simplify the search. On a specialized classifieds board, you can find both offers from shelters for animal adoption and ads from private breeders. The main advantage for Israel is automatic translation into four languages. This expands the search scope and provides an opportunity to help an animal or find your ideal pet, even if the original ad was in a language unfamiliar to you. You can easily post a request about wanting to take an animal or, conversely, find new owners for a pet if circumstances have changed, and your message will be understood by a huge audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How to choose between a shelter and a breeder?
- What advantages does a shelter offer?
- What is the cost of owning a pet from a shelter?