Opinion: The dangers of irresponsible adoption
Over the years, millions of families and individuals have adopted pets but ended up returning or abandoning them due to irresponsible planning. People will find cute animals, form a bond with these creatures, and then get rid of them as soon as things get difficult because they didn’t take the time to look at all the factors. This increase of reckless adoption has only gotten worse since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to an article written for the Service Animals Registry of California, there has been a 400% increase and demand for specialty breeds since the start of the pandemic. This has alienated some breeds and sent many shelters into a frenzy as they prepare for the post-pandemic influx of returned animals.
Things are only getting worse with puppy mills. In an article by Katie McKellar for KSL news, she writes about a new Utah law that restricts the sale of pets outside of shelters. In the article, the executive director of the Humane Society of Utah, Gene Baierschmidt, said “We usually see irresponsible backyard breeders or puppy mills producing high quantities of animals to be sold in pet stores, leading to pet overpopulation and needless animal suffering.”
The Cache Humane Society recommends doing your research and asking lots of questions. “Make sure they have breed testing and genetic testing, ask all those questions. Make sure it’s something you want going into it and make sure that you’re in a good place to adopt.”
Responsible organizations like theirs are completely transparent, telling adopters the good and the bad of adopting so that they know what they’re getting into.
When the influx of returned animals does come around towards post-pandemic life, the Humane Society is prepared with its transparent return policy. Organizations like these really try to get animals into the best homes possible with people that are truly ready for the time, money and attention that their pets deserve.
In an interview with Little Paws Animal Rescue, we talked about the dangers around animal adoption, including puppy mills and backyard breeders. These breeders are unprofessional, and breed for the sole purpose of selling the babies.
An employee of Little Paws said, “I think that in our world, animals are used and abused for profit and it’s not right. Any animal from a breeder is gonna suffer and I think that it’s a thing that needs to stop.” Adopting animals from shelters and rescues is the best thing we can do to support these creatures in the most civilized way possible.
Little Paws often receive calls for abandoned animals all over Cache Valley — but things have only gotten worse for post-pandemic awakenings of people who no longer have time for their pets. “When we first started, there were a lot of dumpsites we heard about. But now we hear of posts after posts.” This issue has become very extreme in Cache Valley, and across the entire country, and it’s thanks to uneducated adopters that need to be more attentive to housed animals’ needs.
The increased demand for specific breeds has resulted in more abandoned pets, overpopulated clinics and shelters, and animal suffering. It can be traumatic for pets to enter a new home only to be surrendered after a time, but it’s happening more often as people come to the realization that they are not ready. If we want to adopt, we should wait until we are financially and emotionally stable enough to care for another living creature. We must stay responsible and view what’s best for us, and the animals that deserve our respect.
Megan Cowdell is a sophomore opinion columnist studying for a bachelor’s in communications. She loves music, reading and wants to write books for a living.
megan.cowdell@usu.edu