Good afternoon bloggers,
Animal Event
I have recently been reading many articles on adoption events that are spread throughout social media and news sources. These adoption events are a little different though. The shelters greatly reduce or waive the adoption fees to empty the shelters. For example, a Cleveland shelter just recently had an adoption event where they reduced the fee to adopt a dog, $40 and cats were free. The adoption event was so successful they ended up extending a few days. According to Shelby News, 129 animals were adopted out of the shelter from the event. The normal price for a cat or dog at the shelter is $120. I personally see positives and negatives from discounted or no adoption fee.
Positives
So let’s start with the positives. Obviously, one of the positives is 129 animals have a home. I got my dog from a shelter and I still think to this day she knows. Being in a cage 24 hours a day unless someone feels like playing with you, would be the most depressing life. I loved the feeling of rescuing a dog and I am so happy so many other people and pets get to experience was my dog and I experienced. Another factor that’s positive about the adoption events, when animals get adopted out, there is more homes for other animals that are homeless or in need. According to Shelby News, the shelter I read about is currently a “kill shelter”. This means some of the animals do not make it and get a new home. The shelter may have to terminate the animal due to overcrowding, sickness, etc. However, because of the adoption events and getting so many animals adopted out, the shelter said it may be able to become a “no-kill shelter” soon. This would be fantastic for the animals. I hope the day they become a no-kill shelter is soon!
Negatives
Now the negatives. Why would these people not adopt the animals when the adoption fee is full price? Do they not have the money or do they see a discounted animal and think “hey, a free cat sounds good”. I added up my two dogs expenses of food and vaccines cost around $800-$900 a year. That does not include any emergencies (hopefully none happen) but you have to be prepared. I understand some people do not have the money to afford animal emergencies, but I sure do hope the people that are adopting these discounted or free animals have the money to provide them with the necessities. In my opinion, they are better off at the shelter if you cannot afford food and vaccines.
According to Petful, the shelters buy food, toys and pay for some of the medical issues with the money from adoptions. The money is very helpful to buy supplies and anything the pets need. Without the money and donations people give, shelters cannot accept more animals to feed and take care of.
My Opinion
Overall, I believe the discounted or free adoption events are fantastic and a great idea. I just wonder why so much more people decide to get animals then, instead of when they are full priced? Maybe when doing these discounted or free adoption events the shelters should require a bag of food or maybe it all balances out? I guess it all depends on the shelter and how many animals are adopted, etc. Lots to think about!!
I would love to hear your thoughts about this too! Comment below, please. Happy Blogging!
Gray, A. (2016, June 30). The Pros and Cons of Pay-What-You-Want Adoption Fees. Retrieved October 01, 2017, from https://www.petful.com/animal-welfare/pay-what-you-want-dog-adoptions/
Orlando, J. (2017, August 30). Nealy 130 animals adopted during discount event. Retrieved October 01, 2017, from http://www.shelbystar.com/news/20170830/nealy-130-animals-adopted-during-discount-event
Wow! I never knew that the shelters had discount or free adoption. I don't have a dog or cat but my friend does and she love her dog dearly and she states that pets can be very expensive. I agree that when the shelter have discounts on pets it should be some type of stipulations for getting a pet. Maybe a small donation would be a great idea. Great job Lauren!
ReplyDeleteGreat topic choice! I see the "Empty the Shelter" events advertised all the time on Facebook. In my area the vacuum cleaner company Bissell sponsors this event and they pay for the adoption instead of the adopter. I have a very good friend who by accident went to the Humane Society on this day when she had no idea this was what was taking place and she adopted her third dog. I also know quite a few people who choose to wait until the fees will be waived to get a dog or cat. They have told me it's so they have the extra money to get what they needed for the animal such as food bowls, toys, food, dog bed, etc.
ReplyDeleteI have two yorkies and I can attest to the fact that they can be very expensive. My girls both require medications daily and they seem to have very sensitive stomachs. I recently got pet insurance to cover emergency vet visits along with wellness supplies such as wormers, flea and tick control and dental cleanings. I was skeptical at first but have been pleasantly pleased with my purchase. My 2 year old had to have knee surgery this spring and my 1 year old had to have surgery on her knee this summer. I would guess that pet insurance has saved me roughly $2,000 just this year. I plan on keeping it and urge others to look into it because once your pet has been diagnosed with something the insurance company considers it to be a preexisting condition and they won't cover it. I get my pet insurance through the ASPCA. Very affordable and they pay the claims out very quickly. Nice post!
~Dennis
I am a dog owner and my family and I have always been a fan of the smaller breed dogs. We checked shelters and adoption events, but never found a dog we wanted. We purchased one from the mall and later found it she could have come from a puppy mill. Had we found the breed we wanted to a small mild tempered dog we probably would have done that back then. Now that we are looking for a sister for dog, we are considering adopting from a rescue. Dogs can be so expensive, so everything is still up for debate. Do we or do we not get a 2nd dog.
ReplyDelete