Try to put yourself in an animal shelter employee's shoes and imagine working hard everyday in an animal shelter in order to give animals a second chance at a happy life but you are constantly faced with problems outside of your control. Every cage is full and there is never enough money in the budget. Someone comes in with a 3-year-old dog that they can no longer care for but you cannot help them because there are no open cage spaces. The only way for you to be able to help them is to find another dog already in your care a new home or to euthanize one to free up cage space. It is hard for you to find the animals you care for homes because they have been painted as unwanted shelter animals. The family who wants to get a new dog decides to go to a breeder because they heard that breeders have the "better" dogs. Every day is a struggle between wanting to save the animal's lives and knowing that time is running out. 

This is the reality that many shelter employees, who work in an open-admissions shelter or kill shelter, face on a daily basis. No one wants to euthanize a domestic animal but sometimes there is no other option. Every year millions of animals are euthanized across the country. Meanwhile dog breeders and pet storeowners sell dogs but do not insure that they are placed in good homes. When dogs are not brought into a safe environment it is more likely they will act out and end up on the street or in shelters. There needs to be stricter background checks on people before they are given an animal. They need to understand that getting a pet is a lifetime commitment and cannot just be temporary. Too many people are getting puppies and once they realize much work they are, they surrender them to animal shelters. Now that the dog is older their chances of getting adopted have decreased drastically. Pet stores should focus on selling pet supplies and accessories not the buy and selling of puppies.  These stores should partner with the animal shelters to help give suffering animals a second chance at a happy life. Although this may sound like complicated demands, it is the only way to start helping the overpopulation of animal shelters.

One of the biggest problems facing animal shelters is puppy mills. A puppy mill is a "large-scale commercial dog breeding facility where profit is given priority over the well being of the dogs" (Henn). These facilities make huge profits from the sale of the puppies they breed however do very little to insure that the puppies are going to safe homes. They are contributing to the overpopulation of shelters because someone who may have adopted a dog purchased one from them instead. In addition, when their dogs do not go to the proper homes, many times they end up on the streets or in shelters. In order to help decrease the overpopulation in shelters, puppy mills need to be shut down and dog owners need to be educated on spay and neuter procedures. Puppy mills being shut down will happen as a side effect of people making the right decisions in adopting a pet. 

Puppy mills and dog breeders contribute to the overpopulation of shelters in similar ways, however they are two different things. Although dog breeders tend to do a more thorough investigation of potential buyers, they are still a big contributor to the problem. Dog breeders pride themselves on their reputation and usually have waiting lists for puppies. Meanwhile, there are millions of dogs in shelters hoping to find a new home and they have no waiting list. Breeders also sell directly to the customer so they make a huge profit off of each puppy. Puppy mills will normally sell directly to pet stores and so their profit is not as great. Because of this, puppy mills do not have the same funds as breeders and have the reputation of harsh conditions. Normally breeders appear to be clean and trustworthy, however they are still a huge part of the problem. Just because they do not produce dogs that have health or behavioral problems, does not mean that they should continue to breed dogs. There are too many dogs without homes, and it is irresponsible for breeders to continue breeding solely for their own benefit. If people want a specific purebred dog, there is a good chance they can find one in an animal shelter. According to the Animal Protection Society, or APS, a quarter of dogs in shelters are purebred (APS). Many purebreds will end up in shelters because people will surrender their pet they got from a breeder for numerous reasons. 

When I was in first grade, my family got a purebred chocolate lab. He was one of the best dogs a family could ever ask for, however I do not believe it was simply because he was purebred. Sure, he had some of the traits that you expect from a Labrador retriever, however he did not have all of them, which is a common misconception people have about purebred dogs. My family always jokes that he was the one lab who did not like to swim. My dad always wanted a dog that loved to swim and play fetch, however our dog Oscar had no interest in either. If someone had gotten Oscar with the intentions of having him as a hunting dog or even an outdoors dog, they would have been disappointed because he was the type who liked to be inside with the kids and did not even have an interest in chasing squirrels. The point I am trying to make is that every dog, or even cat, is unique and they are not necessarily going to fit some checklist for their breed just because they are a purebred dog.

Many animal shelters require that the animal be spayed or neutered before the family gets to take them home. If they are still too young, many times they will require the family to sign a contract stating that they fully intend to spay or neuter the animal. However, there are still thousands of animals that have not had the procedure completed because owners do not fully understand its importance. Even though animal shelters have very limited resources and funds, they work hard to educate pet owners and provide inexpensive surgery services. There are a lot of myths about spaying and neutering that prevent owners from getting the procedure. According to the Humane Society, "around 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized each year in the United States simply because they do not have homes. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering" (HSUS). Given the overpopulation of cats and dogs, it is irresponsible for owners not to spay or neuter their animals. If they are properly educated, owners will understand the benefits of having the procedure completed. 

Another reason many people do not adopt their pets is because of the common misconception about shelter animals. Experts say that even using the term "shelter" in front of the word cat or dog gives a negative connotation. "The idea that there are "shelter dogs" and "shelter cats" is itself a distortion, implying that homeless animals are different from their counterparts with homes and feeding the notion that these animals are damaged goods" (Kahler). Even though there should not be a negative association attached to the word shelter, it still negatively impacts the chance of that animal finding a home because some people feel as though the dog or cat is not as high quality a pet. Shelter animals already have a lot of obstacles they need to beat and the simple wording of a phrase should not be one of them. The public needs to be better educated about animal shelters and where the animals come from that are there. They need to understand that they are not there because they are "bad" but there for so many reasons that are out of their control. No animal deserves to be dropped off at a shelter and locked up in a cage, just waiting and hoping for a better life. 

Many people believe that all shelter dogs are mixed breed, when in reality about 25% of shelter dogs are purebred (APS). It is common belief that purebred dogs are superior when in truth, they tend to have more health problems and are often the product of inbreeding. Many dog breeders just want to make a profit and are not concerned about the health risks, so they will breed dogs they already own even if they came from the same litter or share one parent. Many dogs that are inbred are more likely to have physical and behavioral problems. "The inbred dog has a weaker immune system that is less able to fight off these infections than dogs that have a wider range of genetic diversity"(VetInfo). In addition they are more likely to suffer from seizures, liver disease, kidney disease, eye disease, or cancer. Studies have also shown that inbred dogs are more likely to display aggressive behavior and are often less intelligent (VetInfo). Dog breeders are focused on profits not the health and behavior of the dogs they breed so they often overlook the accepted breeding guidelines.

Everyday thousands of animals have to be euthanized because they were not adopted during their allotted time in the shelter and cage space is limited. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, nearly 2.7 million shelter animals are euthanized every year. On average, dogs are adopted more than cats however more cats are brought into shelters than dogs. "Of the dogs entering shelters, approximately 35% are adopted, 31% are euthanized and 26% of dogs who came in as strays are returned to their owner. Of the cats entering shelters, approximately 37% are adopted, 41% are euthanized, and less than 5% of cats who came in as strays are returned to their owners"(ASPCA). Although more dogs are adopted than are euthanized, the difference is a meager 4%. And 4% more cats are euthanized every year than are adopted. These adoption numbers are too low and are greatly impacted by dog breeders and pet stores. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, only 10% of stray animals that are brought in have been neutered. The cost of neutering an animal may seem high to some owners, however it is less expensive to neuter your pet than it is to raise a litter of cats or dogs for a year (ASPCA). 

Animal shelter workers face frustration everyday because pets are constantly brought in because the owner can no longer care for them. When you buy or adopt a pet, it is a lifetime commitment. If you have a pet and are moving to somewhere that does not allow pets, dropping your pet off at an animal shelter is not an acceptable solution. A shelter manager wrote a letter explaining just how hard shelter life is, detailing the day-to-day reality of the shelter. It is not a place filled with happy animals that get to run around and play all day. The animals spend the majority of their time locked up in cages and only get to go on walks if there are enough volunteers to help take them out. According to this manager, if a pet owner dropped their dog off at the shelter, there was only a 90% chance that the dog would ever leave again. If the dog does not get adopted within 72 hours then it is highly likely he or she will be euthanized. "If your dog is big, black or any of the "Bully" breeds (pit bull, rottie, mastiff, etc.) it was pretty much dead when you walked it through the front door. Those dogs just don't get adopted. It doesn't matter how 'sweet' or 'well behaved' they are" (Reach Out Rescue). 

The author of the letter wanted to open people's eyes and make them realize that when they choose to bring a pet into their family, it is a big commitment that cannot be taken lightly. What most people do not realize is that when a perfectly healthy animal gets euthanized in a shelter, they do not just peacefully go to sleep. Because funds are so limited, the animal does not get tranquilized before the lethal medicine is injected. The person who does the injection is not necessarily a vet but instead is "euthanasia technician" who sometimes struggles to get the needle in the vein so it takes multiple attempts. Volunteer workers hold the animal down as they spasm and cry because the medicine is burning through their veins. Sometimes they spasm while the injection is still happening so they jolt and the needle cuts through them and they suffer even more. There is nothing serene or peaceful about euthanizing an animal in a kill shelter with limited funds. It is not because shelter workers are cruel or heartless, but they simply do not have any other choice. Everyday they work hard to make each animal feel as though they are loved and wanted. It is heartbreaking to have to euthanize the animal, but sometimes the shelter workers feel like putting them down will give them more peace than living a life in a cage. Sometimes the workers get attached to an animal and it is then very bittersweet if that animal gets adopted. Even though the goal of the shelter is to place the dogs and cats in good homes, it is often difficult to watch them leave. They are happy that they get a second chance at life, but they will miss them anyway. Animals have a way of pulling on peoples heartstrings. Everyday in an animal shelter is an emotional rollercoaster.

Although animal shelters have limited resources, they are still making incredible differences for animals that would have been homeless otherwise. There are numerous reasons why you should consider adopting your next pet rather than purchasing one from a pet store or breeder. Adopting from a shelter gives you the chance to save a life instead of contributing to the problem. According to the Humane Society, "The number of euthanized animals could be reduced dramatically if more people adopted pets instead of buying them. When you adopt, you save your animal and open up shelter space for another animal who might need it"(HSUS). Another great reason to consider adoption is because it is less expensive than purchasing a dog from a pet store. The pet stores got the animals from mills so they drastically increase the price in order to make a profit. And because they had to pay so much for the puppy initially, they do not spend the proper amount to care for them. The cost of having a pet can add up and shelter animals already have received many of their shots, which can save the pet owner a lot of money. The adoption fee is simply to help meet some of the expenses the shelter incurred while caring for the animal and also will be used to offset the costs of caring for the other animals that remain in the shelter. In addition, many shelters will help cover the cost to spay or neuter the animal if they have not yet had the procedure.  If the animal is of the right age, chances are the shelter paid to have them spayed or neutered already. If adopting a pet that is a little bit older, chances are he or she is housetrained which saves the new owner a lot of time and stress. Housetraining can be difficult and messy so getting a pet that already is trained will also make an even happier owner. Saving an animals life can create an even stronger bond, enhancing the attachment between the owner and their new pet (HSUS).

I personally have a lot of experience with adopting dogs and cats. My family has two cats that were adopted about five years ago. They have both become part of our family and it feels good knowing that we got to give them a second chance at a happy life. Our one cat, Danny, was considered to be shy and timid so the shelter was having trouble finding a home for him. I got attached to him while still at the shelter so I insisted that our family select him. Now that he is home and in a happier environment, he is the friendliest, happiest cat. He loves to snuggle and will roll right onto his back for belly rubs. Being in the shelter environment, he was always scared, so it was hard for people to see how great he really was. This is a common problem that shelter animals face because people want to know what kind of characteristics they have before they take them home. Unfortunately, you will never be able to completely know what the animal will be like until they are home and comfortable. In addition to having two cats at home, my family also has a dog that we adopted. She has been with my family for over a year now and is an absolute sweetheart. Before adopting her, we received a video of her from the shelter that showed her with other puppies in her litter. In the video, she was sitting towards the back and appeared to be more timid than the other puppies. Most of the other puppies in the video had already been adopted and appeared to be very outgoing and playful. However, once we had her at home we quickly learned that she was not shy at all. She is one of the most playful and loving dogs we have ever had. When animals are in the shelter, it is not easy to identify what their true personality is like because even though they are safe they tend to be scared and nervous in the shelter environment.

I adopted a dog of my own last October in addition to my family's pets. My dog, Gunner, was part of a litter that was rescued from someone who tried to breed dogs in order to make some money. They did not know what they were doing and so the puppies were not properly cared for. When the shelter received the puppies, they were all under weight because they did not receive the proper nutrition and were covered in ant bites. This is a common issue that arises when people try to breed dogs for the sole purpose of making a profit. They do not properly care for the animals and end up having the puppies taken away from them or surrendering them on their own. Although I am grateful that I got my dog, the whole situation could have been prevented if those people had the proper education and knew better than to try breeding for profit.

When I adopted him, the shelter told me that he was a lab/ shepherd mix. However, as he got older he did not look like he had any lab in him so I decided to have a DNA test completed and learned that he was actually a shepherd/ pit bull mix. Some times this happens with dogs that come from shelters because the shelter does not always know exactly what kind of dog it is. If this litter of puppies had been labeled pit bull mixes, they would have had a significantly lower chance of getting adopted because people tend to be more hesitant to adopt the pit bull breed. Although some people want to know what specific breed their pet is, it can be more fun to get to be surprised what they look like as they grow up. Gunner's ears started off flopped over like a lab but as he got older they started to pop up like a German shepherd. I also noticed that he had some pit bull traits in him because of his facial structure. I am very blessed to have all these animals in my life and I would not have had the chance to adopt them if it was not for all the hard work that animal shelters do. 

With millions of animals out on the street, millions in shelters, and millions more being euthanized, the time has come where action needs to be taken. The puppy mills need to be shut down immediately. Pet store should stop focusing on selling puppies and focus more on supplies. In addition they should work alongside shelters to help get dogs in need more recognition, which would give them a better chance of getting adopted. A lot of times shelter dogs go without being groomed for a while, which leaves them looking dirty and not desirable. If pet stores could volunteer their groomers to help shelters clean up the animals, they will appear more desirable to potential families. There are a lot of little things that can be done in order to help make a difference, but action needs to be taken. Dog breeders should be fined for overbreeding and inbreeding to help reduce the amount of dogs being sold solely for profit as well as reduce the amount of dogs with health problems. When the dogs are inbred and have health problems or behavioral problems, it is more likely for them to end up in shelters. Dog breeders need more incentive to stop breeding and instead help shelters get the dogs adopted to help decrease the number of animals euthanized. Every 13 seconds a shelter animal is euthanized, the time has come for dog breeding and puppy mills to be shut down.


This is a good source for statistics about animal shelters. It comes from a credited source and provides useful information about shelters. It is not only statistics but also good starting points to arguments as to why you should adopt form animal shelters rather than buy your next pet. This will be useful for my research paper because it contains important statistics that will be useful to build my argument and help establish my credibility. It has a lot of good ideas that I can use as starting points to form my argument. If I ever get stuck while writing my paper, this source will be useful to help me brainstorm ideas for the direction I want to take the argument. 


This source is really useful for statistics that help to form an argument. They are a credited organization so I know that the information they provide is accurate. To make my argument stronger, it has to be backed with useful statistics and that is where this source is the most helpful. 


This is great overview of the problems with dog breeders and the negative impact they have on the animal society. There are a lot of myths about purebred dogs and how they are superior to mixed breeds, however this article goes over why that is not true. It also touches upon how many people buy the dogs thinking they will be superior, however when they are not, they end up in shelters. This is a useful piece to form my argument against dog breeders and puppy mills. It contains a lot of good evidence that I can use for my piece.


This article is not formal but it does give a lot of good reasons why you should consider adopting a dog over buying one. Although the piece is somewhat lighthearted, the reasons given are extremely important and relevant. I can use a lot of these reasons as starting points in my research paper. This article gives me general reasons why to adopt and I can further explore each one in order to build a stronger piece. 


-This scholarly article touches upon the difference between using the terms "shelter dogs" and "shelter cats" versus saying dogs and cats. This source is very useful because it opens the reader's eyes to the issue and how the small factor of language greatly impacts the overall problem. When placing the word "shelter" in front of cats and dogs, it insinuates that the animal is of a lesser value than other cats and dogs. Most people do not realize this when hearing the term, but our brains subconsciously think there is a reason why this animal is a "shelter" animal. 


- This source was a great primary source that helped me to open the reader's eyes to the reality of animal shelters. Given that the author was an animal shelter manager and chose to remain anonymous, it made the source raw and honest. 


- This source gives a lot of useful information about the problems dogs have when they are inbreeded. This will help me to identify the problem with dog breeding. 
