Picking a pet from the pound

The benefits of adopting a dog from a shelter rather than from a breeder

Amy Inkrott / Copy Editor / The USD Vista

When I was in fourth grade, my family decided to adopt our first dog. At the time, I was very protective of my cat, Chloe, and was not in love with the idea of a dog. Because of this, my parents wanted me to feel included in the adoption process. The three of us spent hours sitting at the computer researching different breeds and finding local breeders. After a few days of looking, however, my parents decided to take me to our local animal shelter. 

The three of us were initially overwhelmed by the sheer number of dogs cooped up in that small building. I remember walking past the glass stall doors and seeing the sad eyes of a dog looking back at me. Eventually, we stopped at a room containing a very hyper and energetic dog. Immediately, I fell in love with this puppy, and my cat was all but forgotten. An hour later, we were pulling away from the shelter with a new dog in the backseat. But despite how excited I was about this new addition to our family, I couldn’t help but look back at the dogs that were left behind.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates that nearly 3.3 million dogs enter animal shelters each year. While some of these pets are reunited with their previous owners, others are left to wait for adoption. Many of our country’s animal shelters are overcrowded and cannot handle the high number of pets. According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), “healthy, young, and adoptable” pets are euthanized as a result of shelter overcrowding. 

Despite this abundance of dogs in shelters, some pet owners choose to purchase their pets from puppy mills or purebred dog breeders. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) found that 34 percent of all adopted dogs were obtained from a specialized breeder. Often, a breeder will look to create a line of purebred dogs, all from the same breed. Purebred dogs are sometimes seen as a matter of pride or as a symbol of social status.

But these seemingly perfect pets come with a price; dogs purchased from a breeder can often cost between $500 and $3,000. Sometimes, the dogs can face serious health issues as a result of overbreeding. Animal rescue organization RedRover reports that puppy-mill pets will often get sick or suffer from nervousness from the poor conditions at the mill. 

While no shelter dog is perfect, they do have some benefits over those from specialized breeders. Shelters encourage people to select a dog based on its unique personality rather than just the specific breed. The San Diego Humane Society, less than a mile away from USD’s campus, currently houses nearly 50 dogs, varying in age and breed. Some of these dogs are a mix of breeds, resulting in a dog unlike any other. Many shelter dogs, however, are pit bulls, chihuahuas, and German shepherds — breeds often associated with aggression and difficult behaviors. 

Knowing that some will outright reject these dogs, shelters look to emphasize the personalities of these pups. Each dog is given an introduction sign, highlighting some of their best traits and mannerisms. Adopters are encouraged to interact and spend time with the dogs to find the best fit for all parties involved. Adoption costs are also significantly lower for shelter dogs; at the San Diego Humane Society, fees range from $12 to $100. 

On any given afternoon at the University of San Diego, dogs can be found roaming across the college campus. These dogs serve many purposes, from service animals, to fun fur friends. Students considering pet adoption should look to their local animal shelters rather than a large commercial puppy mill or specialized dog breeder. 

Two summers ago, my family said goodbye to that happy shelter dog we adopted all those years ago. Almost immediately, we felt something was missing. A week later, we sat around the computer, scrolling through pages of breeders’ dogs. Eventually, however, we stumbled upon a picture of a young dog at an animal shelter 30 miles away. This dog was included on the 24-hour euthanasia list, set to be put down the following morning.

In a moment of spontaneity, my five-person family piled into our Chevy Cruze, and sped over to the shelter. We pulled into the parking lot 20 minutes before the shelter closed, and asked to meet the dog we saw online. As soon as the gate was opened, this 10-month-old pit bull mix  began racing around us with the biggest smile on her face. She was perfect. 

With no room in the car, our newest family member sat in my lap during the drive home. As we pulled away from the shelter, I hugged my new dog a little tighter, knowing we had saved her life and that she would change ours for the better.