#adopt and shop responsibly

[wulflynn]

So, I’ve been on a Coral Island kick. My farmer gets letters from their grandparents and they’re always giving updates on “Ashley”. I believe Ashley is their cat. They’ve already mentioned Ashley and kittens and now they’ve just sent another letter with a “PS Ashley is pregnant!”

All I can think is, as an animal professional and playing a farmer who is dating Mark—who volunteers at the local animal shelter)—JFC get Ashley spayed 🤦🏼‍♀️😂

[apostate-in-an-alcove]

There seems to be a trend on DogTok to demonize and regard rescue dogs as trash not worth saving or rehabilitating and just flat out demonizing no kill shelters and rescues with little nuance. I'm sorry that abused dogs who are traumatized and stressed aren't the 2k purebred puppy that you saw on Craigslist but the majority of shelter dogs deserve a chance at a good life even if you personally would never give them the time of day.

[reliapet]

Living Things Are Not Good Gifts

I'm gong to say this now, because early Christmas shopping is just starting to ramp up. and please bear with me, as this is a complex subject, and the title is a general rule (as always, there are exceptions, but do not assume you are one) Dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, rescue animals, hamsters, horses, snakes, you name it. Do Not give them as gifts. I'll even go so far to extend this sentiment to plants. 1. Pets live multiple years. From the ones I listed, it's from 2 all the way up to 30 year lifespans! 2. Animals are Expensive. Even if you provide all the initial startup items as part of the gift, it will only dampen the blow. Food, vet fees, recurring enrichment costs, and more will add up. Not everyone can afford an animal, and there's no harder way to find that out than when opening a gift only to find a pet you can't afford staring back at you. 3. If the pet ends up given to someone who doesn't want them, that animal could be surrendered, dumped, abandoned, or worse. 4. Gifts are generally surprises, and if someone is gifted a pet, there is a chance they will know nothing about their care. This could accidentally kill or harm it in the middle of learning. But what if this person has been wanting and preparing for the pet for years/a long time now? They may be wanting to avoid backyard breeders and already have an ethical breeder picked out, or already be in the adoption process to get a rescue form a shelter. It's also possible they have a reason for holding off that they haven't told you yet, like concerns about an allergy or not having a vet fund saved up yet. They still might not be fully prepared to care for the animal if surprised with one on Christmas. Why on earth are you including plants in this? Personal experience, haha! When I was a kid, I had an assignment in Ag class to start and run a business. So, I got all the stuff for raising and selling plants, and I started a bunch of seedlings in the living room under grow lights.... This convinced my family, somehow, that I want more plants. I did not. I ended up with a rosemary bush, and was told it loved water, needed a ton of water. I was so caught up in trying to keep the plants from my business alive that I drowned it in water. The person who gave it to me for Christmas tried to save it, but it was already dead from root rot. I did not like Rosemary: the smell. flavor, nor its culinary uses in recipes. ... I also ended up with 12 air plants from another family member. They were confused why they didn't come in soil, so were keeping them in water to keep them alive. It was my frantic researching that managed to keep them from getting killed in the first week from rot. But, as much as I liked them, and try as I may have. they all slowly died except the sole survivor, who I gave away, and is now thriving in a windowsill. Since they were a surprise, I did not know about them until it was too late. I was not wanting more responsibility on top of the assigned business I had to do for class, but suddenly I was responsible for 13 more plants I didn't ask for. It was not a pleasant time. What if I want to give someone a pet for Christmas without it being a bad experience? how would I do that? Good question!

All animals are living beings, and when they are kept by humans, it is entirely that human's responsibility to make sure the animal gets the best life possible. This goes regardless if the critter is a hamster, fish, gerbil, leopard gecko, or a more expensive pet. They depend entirely on the owner for everything, including proper vet care. A human's ability to care for an animal depends entirely of how much they know about that critter's needs. In order to understand those needs, research is necessary. A LOT of research. Not just a day or two of quick googles, but weeks or months of deep diving into multiple websites for the same question to ensure you're finding correct information. It is intensive work, but well worth the time. The person researching must consider if they are willing and able to provide the needs of the animal they're considering. The owner must also research natural behavior. Expressing natural behaviors is a need the animal will fulfill as much as it can on its own, but certain enrichment items and other accommodations may be necessary to aid or improve this need's fulfillment. Not being knowledgeable on this is a major contributor to re-homes. For example some animals need to be noisy, and they will be noisy. And some people are unwilling to tolerate and accommodate for that need. Being well researched on the animal in question will save you a lot of stress and heartache, and save the animal's life or drastically affect its quality of life. Make Sure the person receiving the animal is well researched before they get the animal. This will allow them to make an educated decision as to whether they can take it in when you say you want to give them one, instead of replying purely based on emotion. Emotion will not keep an animal alive or give it a good quality of life. A well researched, already set up, and financially prepared home will. Here are some options to choose from: 1. Do not let it be a surprise. Let the person know ahead of time you want to get them a living thing for Christmas/birthday/ext... and ask them what they think of the idea! Don't pressure them if they don't sound excited. And if they do, make sure they're knowledgeable on the animal's care before getting it. This is actually what I'm doing for my grandma, and she's elated to be getting a young miniature african violet for Christmas! (she doesn't have it yet, but she knows it's coming and knows how to care for it)

2. If you want it to be a surprise no matter what, do not get the animal first. It is very important here to make sure the person is already knowledgeable and know they are able to fulfill ALL the animal's needs at the moment they receive it if you want to choose this option. It should be a surprise in the terms of, I wasn't expecting to get the critter this month, not I wasn't expecting to get this animal at all. Just because someone is excited does not mean they're able to care for it, whether or not they realize it. Instead, get an accessory or a photo of the animal. An accessory could be a dog collar, a cat collar, a cat litter box, a hamster hide, a reptile basking lamp, or something else. The nice thing about this, is if the recipient doesn't want the item, it's easy to return. This gives the person a chance to back out and say I don't want that, or I am not in a situation to take an animal. It opens the opportunity for discussion. And, if the stars align, they'll still be super excited and surprised in all the best ways. This option also gives you the chance to go with them and let them pick the source: a rescue, special breeder, or similar! 3. Get the animal, but be fully prepared to take it into your own household and have it become your pet if the recipient doesn't want it or isn't able to care for it. This works best if you already have one of the animal yourself, or if you're buying all the initial supplies and accessories and know fully how to care for the animal already. 4. Get a stuffed animal or toy of the pet you want to gift, and have a note in the box with an explanation that you can make this animal come alive if they want a new pet in their household! This one is awesome, because if they say no to the live animal, they still get a cute plushie to cuddle or a figurine they can put on their shelf. 5. If it is a plant, get a pot and write a note, share a picture, or gift some seeds! if they don't want to grow them or want to wait until they have more time or space, they can wait to germinate them. There are likely other options I haven't thought of, so feel free to add them in the notes if you think of one! The main thing is to have a fall back. Don't let the person feel cornered into accepting the animal or plant. And please don't feel bad if they decide it's not for them!

[stinkybrowndogs]

I mean I get that’s it’s not the only contributing factor, but I’m curious exactly how much of the shelter dog over-population problem is actually due to poor dog ownership/management vs the housing crisis and economical stress. I’d be willing to bet by investing in social programs that give people the resources they need to care for their pets (cough cough affordable and free housing cough cough) that the amount of pets in shelters would dramatically drop. We can all sit here pointing fingers and screaming at each other until we are blue in the face, but if the owners basic needs are not being met, how can we hold them to a basic standard for their pets?

[shrimp-crockpot]

Just so yall know, these ads usually come from puppy mills.

Remember that puppy mills are determined based on quantity of litters produced and their USDA licensing, NOT by how clean or well cared for the dogs are. There are plenty of Polished Mills that use guardian homes to hide the fact they’re a mill (if you need an example, look up Utahdoodles on TikTok or instagram)

[lobotomy-lady]

a dude in my state got mauled to death by his pitbulls but to be fair he was a back yard breeder

I can't say I have much sympathy for backyard breeders (lmao that autocorrected to backtard breeders which is...fitting) who get mauled, esp if they're breeding pits. bybs are so irresponsible. & I seriously do NOT get the point of breeding pits to begin with. shelters are already bursting at the seams with unwanted bully breeds, most of which will end up euthanized.

[nekatto]

Given that this is my first adoption advert, I decided to go with something basic… Basic white girl basic.

Without further ado, I present you the MeowBucks baristas: Madeleine, Mary Jane, Fontina the Big Cheese, My Little Pierogi, Gruyère, Bordeaux, and Artemis.

Accepting applications from residents of South Carolina and neighboring states only.

Bios for each cat as well as a link to the adoption form are under the cut.

logo (c) wafflestash on Etsy, used here with their written permission.

If you can’t adopt, but would like to support us, I have a cashapp ($kpao69) and PayPal (k-pao@outlook.com). I’m an independent foster and all food, litter, and vetting is paid for out of pocket. Any help is appreciated.

ADOPTION APPLICATION:

Adoption fee is $85

MADELEINE || SPAYED FEMALE

10/10 but she bamboozled me.

The one who started it all. I was walking my dog when this sweet mama approached me and meowed sadly at me. From that moment on, she had me hook, line, and sinker, and I ended up returning to the spot I met her and started feeding her, quickly gaining her trust and bringing her inside… Along with her seven relatives she had hidden in the bushes.

Despite being the grandma of the family, I believe she’s still a fairly young cat, possibly around three years old or so. Since her spay surgery, it’s almost like she’s trying to make up for the kittenhood she never got to have. She loves nothing more than batting toy mice across the floor and playing chase with her granddaughter Pierogi. When not zooming around, Madds is quite the cuddle bug and loves a warm lap to lay in.

MARY JANE | SPAYED FEMALE, ~3 yrs old

Mother of Fontina, Gruyère, and Pierogi. Now that her kittens are grown, Mary Jane is beyond done with wild kitten antics and looking for some place calm and quiet to settle down.

All in all a pretty chill cat, though not particularly social. Out of her relatives, she most prefers to spend time with her daughter Gruyère.

FONTINA THE BIG CHEESE | NEUTERED MALE, ~1 yr old

They say the key to a man’s heart is food, and that’s doubly true for Fontina! While he can be shy at times, add food to equation and he’s putty in your hands.

He’ll do just about anything for food and so far has even trained himself to go inside his carrier on command. Would make an excellent trick training candidate.

Ideally would prefer a home with his best friend and wrestling buddy, Bordeaux.

**Fontina has displayed a propensity for eating non-food items. Please be mindful of this and take appropriate precautions.

MY LITTLE PIEROGI | SPAYED FEMALE, ~1 yr old

When she first came here, Pierogi was a bit shaken by the overnight transition from living outside to living in a home and spent her first few days inside hiding. But now she’s come out of her shell and blossomed into the sweetest little girl, albeit still on the shy side. Loves churu, head-butting feet, and playing with wand toys.

**tentative. if no applications look promising I miiiight end up keeping her.

GRUYÈRE | SPAYED FEMALE, ~1 yr old

No, you’re not seeing double, though very different in personality, Fontina and Gruyère are our loveable void twins!

The princess of the group. Gruyère demands you provide her with your undivided attention at all times… or else.

Out of her siblings, she has the closest relationship with her mother, Mary Jane, and the mother-daughter pair can often be found grooming one another.

**though she’s never broken skin, Gruyère can be mouthy, and we'd recommend applying for a different cat if you have young children or elderly people in your home.

BORDEAUX | NEUTERED MALE, ~1 yr old

Sweet little Bordeaux had a very rough start to life. At just a few weeks old, Bordeaux lost both of his siblings and was briefly separated from his mom during a particularly nasty winter rainstorm. It was only through a stroke of luck (and his cries) he was found before it was too late.

But none of that has dampened his spirit! As you can undoubtedly see, Bordeaux is a silly young man who loves having fun.

Without fail, he turns everything into a game. You thought you were going to mop the floor? Nope! Time to play wrestle the mop away from the kitten for the thousandth time!

10/10 but you’ll never get anything done with home around. But with a kitten this cute, who can stay mad?

When he’s not being a menace to society, he can be found palling around with his best friend and brother from another mother, Fontina.

ARTEMIS | NEUTERED MALE, ~2.5 YRS OLD

The odd one out of the bunch. I’m unsure how, or even if, he’s related to the rest of the colony. All we know is that he was buddies with the other adult male of the group, Apollo, and they could often be found huddled up together for warmth.

Artemis is a sweet boy who wants very much to be someone’s one and only. Always the first to greet me when I come in. And don’t think he’s content with a simple pat on the head. He DEMANDS all the love and snuggles. Like, I’ll sit down to relax and next thing I know he’s climbing up on my shoulder and nuzzling me.

*would prefer a home with no other cats.

**Apollo will be going up for adoption separately as he needs to have a specialist vet preform his neuter due to some neurological issues.

[orcinus-veterinarius]

To be clear, I’m very pro-spay/neuter!

[wildchildshelters]

As party season approaches, it must be re stated that adopting a party clown just for summer birthdays and holidays is a bad idea.

If the adoption is souly for the sake of entertainment for such events it is inevitable that care towards the living breathing creature will dwindle after the season is over, and scary clowns and harlequins "come into season"

Clowns do not have seasons, they are a responsibility year round.

[mandana-the-service-pup]

We celebrated on Sunday but today is actually Mandanas third birthday. We celebrated by taking some donations to the local animal shelter.

[wulflynn]

A Day in the Life of a Groomer, ‘23.

[fallenorpheus]

I beg friends to never show me the "cute" puppy they're planning on buying, because I then to decide whether I'd rather keep my friend or explain that the dog they want is a BYB mess, isn't even close to bred to standard, and omg if every puppy mill red flag isn't present T-T

Doodles are mutts. Doodles are not ethically bred. The breeder has zero mention of health testing, there's no pictures of their breeding dogs, they have several young litters up on their Facebook page, and they're allowing people to visit and walk away with a puppy same day.

Like, I value this friendship, but do I value it enough to stay silent while they support shitty breeding practices all to spend $5000 on a 'purebred' doodle? Or do I tell them that the 'purebred' doodle they want to buy is a BYB mutt?

[reliapet]

New article is out! I'm so excited to share it with you all. Adopting is so important, but ethical breeders do a lot of good, too.

[dirtbag-linecook-kyloren]

Okay it was quite an hour so this is an end to poodle period

With a reminder that doodles are unethically bred nightmares and if you paid multiple thousands of dollars for one ur a nightmare and I STAND BY THAT BESTIES ❤️

[lavenderlabsu]

I’m so sad that the French Bulldog surpassed my favorite breed of all time, not only that but only 1-3% of all of those dogs are registered with the parent club :(

Being a animal lover is hard when their are people trying to do dumb things with living animals.

[deadlydreamin]

would like to add that while euthanising is always sad, “no-kill” shelters and rescues actively hold onto unadoptable dogs for years, taking up valuable resources and living a very poor quality of life.

think of it like this:

a “no kill” shelter/rescue: gets in a 2 year old dog. this dog has a known bite history, having bitten their last owner because of severe resource guarding issues. this dog is extremely fearful. they cannot go to a home with any other animals, no kids, and no elderly people, and also have reactivity issues and can only really live on a farm or large lifestyle block that has 2m/6ft solid fencing as this dog is also prone to escaping. the dog ends up also showing fearful aggression to men.

this dog can only live in one very specific scenario: an all-women household with no other animals or kids, experience in severe behavioural issues in dogs or the money to pay a behaviourist for training, living on a farm that is fully fenced.

this is an incredibly specific home and not many of those homes exist. this dog is considered unadoptable - it can’t just go to the average household.

the dog ends up sitting in that kennel for years until they die of old age at, say, 14. 12 years in a kennel, taken out for what is barely a walk for years, never played with, seeing humans once or twice a day for food. this dog takes up 12 years of space, food, water, time and energy of rescue/shelter resources.

a “kill” shelter/rescue: takes in this same dog, however, after a month or two, they realise this dog is unadoptable - the chance of them finding the exact home is very, very low. because they have to take in every dog, they euthanise this dog as it has a very poor quality of life and it likely has genetic aggression or anxiety that even after behavioural training, will always remain - the dog will never be happy and healthy.

then, that kennel is used many, many times as they are able to house adoptable dogs that maybe sit in that kennel for a few months at most. this means more dogs are helped long-term - in 12 years that could potentially be hundreds of dogs helped, resources are properly used to help dogs that are able to go into homes and (hopefully) live happy lives.

euthanising unadoptable dogs is best in the long-term - it helps rescues and shelters receive necessary funding, as well as helping the dogs they take in, and it helps the unadoptable dogs by letting them go to a better place than sitting in a kennel for years, being completely miserable.

TLDR: no-kill shelters are the best solution, though euthanising unadoptable animals is sad, they are doing a necessary evil and in the long run are helping more dogs. don’t support “no-kill” shelters. adopt or shop responsibly.

“Kill shelters” are the shelters you need to donate to.

“But shrimp!! Kill shelters are evil!!”

No, shut up, listen to me for a second.

“Kill shelter” is a colloquial term used primarily for Town/City (aka municipal) shelters that rely on incredibly limited government grant funding to operate.

These shelters, by the very nature of their existence, DO NOT HAVE the funds to operate like private rescues do.

On top of this, they’re also *legally required* to take in ANY animal that comes to them. Even if they’re full. Or they’ll lose all of their funding.

This is what leads them to needing to euthanize for space. Is euthanizing for space sad? Yes. But due to the current crisis, it’s also NECESSARY.

These shelters are constantly overfull. They’re STRUGGLING. They don’t have the funds to operate properly. And yet these municipal, government funded, struggling shelters are the same ones that are most likely to be providing care for owned animals in the community

Municipal (“kill”) shelters are the ones hosting low cost spay and neuter clinics. They’re the ones discounting vaccination appointments and microchipping. They’re the ones that have pet food banks so struggling pet owners can feed their pets that week.

These shelters are not evil. They’re doing the absolute best they can with the bare minimum funding they get.

These people are incredibly resourceful and care very deeply about the animals in their care. It breaks their heart every time they have to euthanize an animal that couldn’t get adopted.

These underfunded shelters need your money significantly more than that fancy private rescue you see on TikTok or instagram that has a beautiful facility and has never had to euthanize an animal ever.

Support your local shelters and they will give back to the community thousand fold.

Sincerely, an animal welfare student who’s tired of seeing the hardest working professionals shat on because of circumstances they can’t control.