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RUNNING HEAD: ADOPT DON’T SHOP 1
Thi is Cli But Ado Don’t Sho Ple
Angel M. Jimenez
Arizona State University
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ADOPT DON’T SHOP 2
Abstract
This is a persuasive essay that is meant to convince people to adopt instead of shop. This essay
uses facts, statistics, and original interviews to highlight issues such as animal overpopulation
and the increasing euthanasia rate. There are also some personal opinion interjections as well.
Overall the issue is written by an individual who is passionate about animals and adoption and
she genuinely aims to convince people to adopt in this paper. She uses the many positive benefits
as well as genuine reasons why people should adopt to back her argument.
Keywords : Adoption, Overpopulation, Euthanasia
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ADOPT DON’T SHOP 3
Animal adoption is an issue that I am very passionate about because it’s dishearting to see
kind sweet animals not get forever homes and instead spend their lives in cages without the love
they deserve, happiness, and cuddles. So next time you are thinking of adding a fourlegged furry
friend to your family think about adoption before you go to a breeder or buy a dog or cat from
the mall because adopting is a better option for you and for the poor pets in the shelters. You
should adopt a cat or dog because the animal overpopulation issue, as well as the euthanasia
issue, are an increasing problem within the U.S. that unfortunately leads to the increasing loss of
the lives of dogs and cats that are euthanized because of overpopulation issue within the shelters.
Another reason why people should adopt animals is because each of the animals has such great
personalities and they all deserve loving homes and happy lives. The last reason why people
should adopt is that pets bring joy to households and owning a pet has proven positive medical
benefits. So by adopting you are saving that pet’s life you are giving them a second chance while
they give you unconditional love and positive health benefits such as happiness.
Even though people may see shelter animals as broken and abused animals with pasts of
hurt and pain there is often the misconception that they will have broken or anxious personalities
because of how sad shelter animals are often portrayed in the media. An example of the sad
portrayal of shelter animals is of Sarah McLachlan's Animal Cruelty video campaign for BC
SPCA in which she says the line “Every day innocent animals are abused, beaten and neglected
and they’re crying out for help.” (McLauchlan, S.) while in the background of the video her
song “In the arms of an angel” is playing while visuals of sad shelter dogs plays as well as
visuals of crying cats and dogs. Overall the video portrays all the animals as sad, broken, and
helpless. A lot of what people don’t see are the shelter dogs and cats smiles and the bright and
bubbly personalities of these pets that just want a family to call their own and a home to live in.
When I researched local animals shelters and local nonprofit I stumbled upon Arizona’s
first and only cat cafe titled La Gattara Cat Lounge and Boutique. Even after walking into the cat
cafe and only spending five minutes in the environment I could see how happy each of the cats
were and was able to see each of their individual personalities. All of the cats within the cafe
were rescues and have spent anywhere between 1 435 days before getting adopted and one cat,
in particular, was rescued from a near lifedeath situation. I spoke with Ms. Pruitt the owner of
the establishment and she spoke more on Charlie’s story telling me “I equate him to a baby that
was born dead but then when the mom holds them they come back to life. I know it sounds
cheesy but I really feel like that’s what happened to Charlie. He just got so much love and he
gives so much love that it’s just like you know, love wins.” (Pruitt, M.). I thought this was so
sweet because I myself saw how much love Charlie had and all he did the whole time I was there
was give people hugs and cuddles.
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“Sleepy Charlie Chaplin,” Image taken by Angel Jimenez.
Although Charlie was sweet my favorite rescue that I interacted that day with was a
sweet boy named Hobo who was a homeless cat she found a few days earlier. To say the least I
fell in love with Hobo because as soon as I put him in my arms he snuggled in my arms and
started to purr softly and fell asleep in my arms. Then after he woke up I set him down and he
proceeded to follow me and give me cuddles when he got the chance. Hobo just had so much
love to give and was so sweet that I wouldn't have believed you if you had told me that he was a
homeless cat that was sick and roaming the streets previously. Because his personality wasn’t
fearing of humans or angry if anything after everything he’s been through he’s still a sweet boy
and such a kind and loving cat.
“Hobo the sweet orange tabby cat at La Gattara,” Image taken by Angel Jimenez.
So my point I am trying to make is that you should give rescues a chance. Often times
couples, families, and individuals want a specific breed of cat or dog and prefer a younger pet
such as a kitten or puppy . This then leads to the demand of younger pets which leads to breeders
increasing a higher supply to meet the demand according to a recent study “Dog and cat breeders,
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ADOPT DON’T SHOP 5
it can be argued, contribute to the problem of pet overpopulation by supplying the world with
more pets when there are already millions that do not find loving homes and end up being
euthanized. ” ( Instagram and Adoption Rates article). Overall I think people assume that they
can’t create that same bond and connection with older cats and dogs but if anything adopting a
cat or dog can still give you the same amount love and affection that you’d get from buying a
pet. I think the nice thing too about adopting a grownup cat or dog is that unlike a puppy or
kitten you already know how they’ll look, how they act, and what their personalities are like. So
maybe when selecting your first or next pet be open to adopting.
Another reason why people should adopt is that the animal shelter overpopulation and
increasing euthanasia rate are both increasing issues across states all over the U.S.
“In fact, pet overpopulation is an especially pressing issue for the state of Arizona. As of 2011,
Arizona was estimated to have the second highest euthanasia rate in America (White, 2011).”
When the numbers were broken down approximately “In 2010, Maricopa County Animal Care
and Control took in 94,132 dogs; more than half of these were euthanized (White, 2011).” Even
today this issue is still a problem as even now in 2019 Maricopa County still has the second
highest euthanasia rate in the country. Thus it is becoming increasingly more important that
people adopt because what most don’t know is that once the animal hit the animals shelter
systems they only have so many days before they get adopted that if they do not get adopted
within that window of time and more pets come to the shelter then they risk being put on the
euthanasia list. It’s just very disheartening because often times we think of the animals on the
euthanasia list as very ill, sick, older, or has major health issues. But sometimes that’s not the
case at all when I went to a fundraiser/adoption event for a local nonprofit foster based rescue
that saves dogs off of the euthanasia list and is called Lucky Dog Rescue. I met a few of the dogs
on the list such as William, Mona Lisa, and Zeke who were simply on the list because of
behavioral issues of being too energetic and hyper when that is just a common trait of Siberian
Huskies.
“William, Zeke, and Mona Lisa at Lucky Dog’s annual Rockabillity fundraiser and adoption event,” Image taken by
Angel Jimenez.
This was disheartening to hear especially after looking around and seeing how sweet each
of the dogs were towards everyone. Nicole Bowman the assistant director at Lucky Dog Rescue
said that “The absolute best part of doing what I do is when I get to see a dog go to a home that is
absolutely perfect for them. When that dog shows up at that house and the people are
overwhelmingly excited and the dog just they know that they are home and I get to leave there
just knowing that that was the absolute perfect placement that's my favorite part of the
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day.”(Bowman, N.). So when you adopt you do save a life regardless of whether or not that
animal was on the euthanasia list because you are giving them a second chance to have a life,
family, home, and love. According to Pedigree.org, a few benefits to adopting are one “You give
them a new life in a loving home and at the same time, you make room at the shelter for another
pet in need of a second chance.” (PEDIGREE foundation). Second“You help break the cycle of
pet overpopulation. There are not enough homes for all the animals that are born every year.
More than 8 million animals are euthanized each year.” (PEDIGREE foundation).Third “You get
your choice of pets at any age.” and “Adopting an adult dog who’s already housetrained and
knows basic commands is often much easier than adopting a puppy. You will also be able to see
the personality of the adult animal and won’t have any surprises down the road.” (PEDIGREE
foundation). Fourth “You can choose from a great selection of animals, some purebred, some
mutts.” and “Based on the wellestablished principle of “hybrid vigor,” a mixedbreed animal is
likely to live longer and cost less in vet bills than a pure breed. Many purebred dogs are prone to
developing health problems ranging from breathing difficulties to hip dysplasia to an enlarged
heart as a result of inbreeding. Mutts don’t face these issues.” (PEDIGREE foundation). Fifth
“ When you adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue, you assist a notforprofit organization and will
send a message to others who will be asking you for years to come where you obtained your
adorable pet. ” (PEDIGREE foundation). Sixth “y ou pay less [because] Low adoption fees (which
cover a portion of the costs for the care the shelter or rescue has invested in the health of their
pets) are much less than the cost of purebred puppies or kittens sold for profit.” (PEDIGREE
foundation).
Lastly, families should adopt because owning a dog comes with many positive health
benefits and according to Lucky Dog Animal Rescue.org “It’s not all about the physical,
however; dogs can improve our quality of life and boost our mental health in so many ways”
(Baylis, G.). A few of the ways in which dogs improve your lives positively is that they “Dogs
keep us calm”, “Dogs increase our task performance”, “Dogs can increase our social circle ”,
“Dog ownership keeps the doctor away”, “Dogs can improve our selfesteem.” So not only do
you save a life but they will inreturn positively benefit your life in many positive ways from
physical to mental health. Owning a pet not only lowers levels of stress but they also increase
levels of productivity and task performance.
So the choice is clear if you're looking to add a fourlegged furry friend to your family
adopt because there are so many positive benefits with adoption. Best of wishes to all potential
adopters. Be the one who saves a life and helps to solve the animal overpopulation issue by
adopting a sweet kind cat or dog that will give you unconditional love.
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Citations
BautistaHobin, Elena Maria, Minteer, Ben, Ellison, Karin, Morefield, Michael, Barrett, The
Honors College, & School of Life Sciences. (2015). Instagram and Adoption Rates: The Impact
of Proactive Social Media on Adoption Rates at the Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA .
Baylis, Gemma. “Rescue Them, Rescue Yourself: The Many Health Benefits of Adopting a
Dog.” Lucky Dog Animal Rescue , Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, 13 July 2018,
www.luckydoganimalrescue.org/articles/resources/rescuethemrescueyourselfmanyhealthben
efitsadoptingdog .
Bowman, Nicole (2019, February 17). Personal Interview at Lucky Dog’s Rescue’s annual
Rockabilly for the dogs adoption event.
McLachlan, Sarah. “Sarah McLachlan Animal Cruelty Video.” YouTube , YouTube, 3 Oct. 2006,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gspElv1yvc .
Pruitt, Melissa (2019, March 23). Personal Interview at La Gattara Cat Lounge & Boutique.
Staff, PEDIGREE Foundation. “Six Reasons to Adopt from an Animal Shelter or Rescue.”
PEDIGREE Foundation , 16 June 2017, www.pedigreefoundation.org/sixreasonsadoptrescue/.
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