By Emma Coleman, Film and TV Subeditor
Why adoption? Let me start by giving you three reasons you might be cautious, and three reasons why it is the ethical and superior choice. Your worries may include that the adopted animal will have trauma making them nervous or aggressive, you may want a specific breed for aesthetic reasons, or you may not have been informed about the options regarding rescuing animals. Now consider the reasons for adopting your pet: ending unethical practices, a more affordable option, and saving a possibly maltreated and certainly traumatised animal.
It was in 2016 when I adopted my two cats from the RSPCA Southridge Animal Centre, following their abandonment; I cannot not imagine my home without them now (you can see them below, they had to feature). I have grown up in a household that has always adopted, not ‘bought’ animals, and this has shaped my passionate views on animal protection and welfare. Our pets quickly become a part of our family as soon as we bring them home, but unfortunately, some animals are not treated this way – through no fault of their own – being abandoned, abused or neglected. We must ask ourselves: do these animals not deserve a second chance and a forever home? And you can make it happen instead of supporting unethical breeding practises.
Last year the RSPCA rescued, rehabilitated and rehomed over 26,000 abused and neglected pets (don’t worry, I won’t spend the whole article boring you with statistics), which truly shows that there are enough animals already needing homes, so there is no ethically justifiable need to breed more. Many animals used by breeders will spend their entire life being impregnated to create endless litters of genetically ‘perfect’ pets and being sold for extortionate prices. During lockdown the prices of pets skyrocketed, with everyone wanting a furry companion to get them through isolation – and let’s be honest, to get them out of the house – and as a result pedigree dogs can now be sold for thousands of pounds. When considering the annual price of caring for dogs, which can be up to £2,000, this is a considerable stretch of the bank account, especially for students, and this is why so many animals are now abandoned. Through adopting pets, the cost of vaccinations and microchipping are often covered, reducing yet another cost.
‘if your family, partner, or friend is considering getting a pet, encourage them to adopt one instead of buying one from a breeder’
Overall, no matter your financial situation, adopting a pet is always saving a life. Many animals, after being rescued, spend the rest of their lives in animal centres and whilst they are cared for by caring and committed staff and volunteers, they are not homes. Overcrowding also puts a strain on animal charities, so they are restricted in the methods and quality of care that they can provide. Furthermore, though I am not claiming that all breeders treat their animals cruelly, the principle of forced impregnation still does not sit right with me – if this was done to humans no one would be able turn a blind eye, but with animals it seems far too common.
Ellie Brown
Finally, I’ll address the concern of behavioural problems in adopted animals; due to severe trauma and neglect, animals may not have the ‘temperament’ we desire of our pets. Still, this can be mitigated through discussions with animal centre staff and volunteers in terms of what they have found helps in these situations, as well as getting a full understanding of any existing issues. Animal behaviourists can provide therapy options and you can change your overall perspective: a pet is not an accessory for your home, but a living creature that integrates into your family and therefore deserves patience and kind treatment. Many traumatised animals do recover naturally after being adopted into a caring home and receiving the love that humanity has failed to give them in their past.
You may be thinking ‘this doesn’t matter to me, I’m a student, my landlord won’t even let me have pets!’ So let me explain to you how you can help: if your family, partner, or friend is considering getting a pet, encourage them to adopt one instead of buying one from a breeder, or even just reflect on the benefits of adoption over buying and internalise them yourself! Educating yourself on the cruelty that many bred animals endure, when you can feasibly adopt a pet in need, is already a massive step in the right direction. You can also sign various petitions to stop animal breeding, such as on change.org, or on the UK Parliament’s website. Additionally, you can donate to animal charities such as the RSPCA, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Dogs Trust, and Cats Protection for pet welfare to help them continue with the charitable work they do in protecting vulnerable animals!
Featured Image: Unsplash / Markus Winkler
Would you consider adopting an animal?
