Pet Adoption Awareness as Enchancment of Human Wellbeing

Maple, an eleven-year-old dog who has never had a person to love her, sits in a cage each day waiting to be adopted. Each day Maple fears of being euthanized. Maple has many health problems due to her tragic past as a puppy mill mom. Being enclosed in an uncomfortably small wired cage dogs are forced to stand on thin wires. She and many other dogs were forced to be bred over and over again not given a chance to recover from the last litter. The dogs are forced to live in feces and in unsanitary conditions. They live in the cage 24/7 and do not get exposure to the human touch. With the fear, if they can no longer produce puppies they will be shot or abandoned. Maple was rescued at the age of five years old from a mill raid and was put in a shelter. She is fed and let outside only for a couple of hours a day where she is then returned to a cage where she awaits to be adopted.

Significantly, pet adoption is an issue not discussed enough and pets are paying the price. Pet adoption is a huge issue in the United States. With the ever-increasing number of 7.6 million pets entering shelters, 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats. Of the 6.7 million pets, 1.5 million are euthanized each year due to many factors. (ASPCA n. pag.). Overcrowding is the main issue because shelters are nonprofit meaning they are not given money by the government to stay open. This results in limited space, care, and resources needed to take care of the animal. If more people were aware of the value of adoption many pets would not have to be euthanized. Although some people oppose pet adoption because of the perceived idea that all pets from shelters are damaged, pet adoption awareness should be increased because puppy mills will be decreased, pet lives will be saved, and human health will be improved.

Of course, as studies show, adopting pets isn’t as bright as everyone thinks. According to Samantha Bubar, in the article “Common Issues with Rescue Dogs” published by Wide Open Pets, many owners are faced with new challenges bringing home rescue dogs. Seven issues are associated with rescue dogs: fear, discipline, teaching, socializing, housebreaking, and destructive behavior. Owners aren’t ready for these difficult challenges and even end up giving the dog back, Bubar concludes. (n. pag.). As other research shows, according to Christian Cotroneo, in the article “If Everyone Reads This, The Shelters Would Be Empty” published by The Dodo, many dogs that enter shelters are overwhelmed with new experiences such as to scents, sounds, and strangers. The dog becomes scared or aggressive and acts differently than how he/she would have before entering the shelter. The dog may no longer enjoy the human touch, get along with other dogs, or become more aggressive, Cotroneo concludes. (n. pag.). Both authors have provided information about the downsides to pet adoption. They insist that adoptable pets can be difficult to train, have aggression issues, and may no longer act like themselves before entering the shelters.

However, as evidence proves, adopting can decrease the number of puppy mills in the United States. First of all, according to Mark Greenberg, “Stopping Puppy Mills” published by the Humane Society of the United States, flea markets, face-to-face sales and a large sum of pet stores obtain their animals from puppy mills. The life for a dog in a puppy mill is horrific. They spend their entire lives in wired cages with little to no room. They are bred over and over again with no break until they can no longer produce puppies. Once they are no longer useful they are abandoned or killed. In the United States, there are estimated to be 10,000 live puppy mills, 194,00+ dogs are in inhumane conditions strictly to be bred. Of those dogs two million puppies are sold and purchased by the American dollar, Greenberg concludes. (n. pag.). Secondly, according to Matt Bershadker, in the article “Too Many People Are Still Not Adopting Animals” published by ASPCA, adopting pets helps fight puppy mills. A puppy mill is an establishment where dogs are bred strictly for-profit and have unhuman conditions for the animal. As stated by Bershadker “When these dogs can no longer produce puppies or when breed becomes unpopular, they’re often abandoned, shot, or sometimes starved to death” (Bershadkern n. pag.). By purchasing dogs from stores there is such a high chance they come from puppy mills. By using your American dollar at pet stores that sell animals or even pet supplies you’re essentially keeping this industry alive, Bershadker concludes. (n. pag.). Lastly, according to the article “Stop Puppy Mills: 15 Things You Can Do” published by The Best Friends Animal Society, there are fifteen things you can do to help stop puppy mills. By adopting, asking officials to pass stricter laws, speaking out, reporting bad puppy stores, spreading the word, and donating to organizations that specialize in stopping puppy mills, this can significantly help decrease the harsh condition of puppy mills. Even though this won’t go away overnight, any impact helps. Even if that means you got one person to adopt rather than buying a pet from a store, Best Friends Animal Society concludes. (n. pag.).

More importantly, as data reports, adopting saved not only one but as well as more. First of all, according to Robin Ganzert in the article “Animal Shelter Euthanasia” published by American Humane, the national euthanasia statistics are hard to get an exact number, however, they have found ways to get a pretty accurate number. Since there is no national reporting system for shelters, it is hard to know the exact percentage of dogs and cats that are euthanized. The American Humane is a founding member of the National Council for Pet Population Study and Policy. The National Council’s mission is to not only gather but analyze data that is collected. Data collected includes the number, origin, and disposition of cats and dogs in shelters. The council then uses the data for recommending a program to decrease the abandoning of pets in shelters. They advocate for the decline of surplus/unwanted pets in the US. according to the American Humane, the statistics for pet euthanization are given, 56% of dogs that enter shelters are euthanized and 71% of cats are euthanized. In 2008 it was estimated that about 3.7 million animals are euthanized. If people were aware of these statistics and about the value of adoption many pet lives would be saved. By adopting it saves a pet from euthanization and opens room for another pet to come instead of being euthanized, Ganzert concludes. (n. pag.). Secondly, according to Chrissy Matthies in the article “Animal Companion Overpopulation” published by PETA, more than 6 million pets enter shelters yearly. This lead to the overcrowding in shelters. Almost half of these are euthanized. However, many are no-kill shelters operate in every state. Many animals who are not adopted in these shelters go insane due to a lack of interaction and freedom. The pets are confined in cages for long amounts of time, which can last from days to weeks, to even years. On the other hand, pets who are not admitted to shelters are often abandoned and unwanted by their owners. The pets then suffer on streets, in alleys, or lonely backyards due to lack of companionship, exercise, and necessities. Three main reasons contribute to the sad reality of why there are so many unwanted pets. First of all, many dogs and cats are not neutered/ spayed due to failure by their owners. This then leads to the reproduction of cats and dogs. According to PETA, “1 unspayed female cat and her offspring can lead up to 370,000 kittens a year” (Matthies n. pag.). This is shocking and is one reason why there are so many unwanted pets. The second reason is that many people are buying rather than adopting, leaving many pets in shelters. Lastly because when pets are obtained, ignorant people do not realize that it is a lifetime commitment. These people end up giving up the pet wither to shelter or by abandoning it on the side of the road, Matthies concludes. (n. pag.).

Also, as studies have shown, according to Bershadker, adopting a pet saved more than just one life. With the ever-increasing numbers of animals enter shelters, many shelters are overcrowded and do not have all the necessary resources for their care-taking. Adopting a pet it not only saves the animal from euthanization and misery, but also it frees up space for more animals to enter. Of the 6.7 million animals enter shelters yearly, 2.7 of those are being euthanized due to the lack of available resources and space. While many are true of loving homes, shelters are forced to euthanize existing animals to free up room. When one animal is adopted, opportunities are open for more pets. Resources, space, supplies, and extra moments of care are all open to the new pet. When one dog gets adopted, resources, space, supplies, and attention are no longer used on that previous pet, which results in extra opportunities for the pets left behind in the shelter. Even if you aren’t in the position to be able to adopt, spreading the word about adoption can help tremendously. Every little thing helps, Bershadker concludes (n. pag.).

Most importantly, as the statistics reveal, according to Ginny Nicarthy in the article “ The Mood-Boosting Power of Pets” published by Help Guide, pets come with mental health benefits for the human body. Mental health benefits from your four-legged companion include coping with stress, anxiety, and depression. The human-animal bond is significant and they have evolved to our liking. Through our behavior and emotions, pets have been acutely attuned to our liking. This means they understand our body language, tone, and body language including gestures. Lower levels of stress, anxiety, depression, ease of loneliness, encouragement of exercise, and improvement to your cardiovascular health are all helped to do companion pets. Studies have found that patients who suffered from heart attacks tend to survive longer than those without pets. 30% of people over the age of 65 had fewer doctor visits because they had a pet in the house. Through the increase of exercise, the feeling of companionship, helping meet new people and adding structure and routine to your day. Because isolation and loneliness can trigger depression, having a dog in the home can prevent this and add years to your life. The caring for a pet makes you feel needed and wanted. This can take you away from your problems. By the ownership of pets, you are open to a pet store, clubs, and training classes. This can lead to new conversations with people and friendships from common interests. On walks with your dog, people often stop to admire each other's pet and conversations and friendships spark. Dogs, as you know, require food and exercise which can lead to a routine. One sad look from them causes you to get out of your bed to feed, exercise or play with them. Pet owners are more likely to meet daily exercise requirements. Through taking a dog for a walk or hike are just some examples. Not only does it keep the dog happy and healthy but you also. Many studies have shown pet owners lose weight. Dog food manufacturer mars petcare conducted a study that showed Americans with a dog walked 30 minutes longer than they had before owning a dog. Another study conducted by a wellness institute at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago showed that dog walking provided similar qualities to a human exercise buddy, but with greater consistency. Companion pets provide many health benefits for older people. They include an increase in happiness, staying connected, and a boost to your vitality. As you increase in age, your children move away and/or you retire from your career. The act of caring for a pet not only boosts tour morals, optimism, and sense of self-worth but brings pleasure to your life. As you grow older, retirement, illness, death, and relocation are huge factors that can take away friends and family. Sparking up a conversation and making new friends can be difficult for the older generation. However, having a pet helps solve these issues. Pets help spark conversations and make new friends for the older generations. Playfulness, laughter, and exercise are all encouraged by having a pet in the home. All these factors result in a boost to your immune system and an increase in energy. Pets in the home help children as well. Less risk of allergies and asthma, learning responsibility, compassion and empathy are all results from having a pet in the house with young children, Nicarthy concludes. (n. pag.)

Also, as information reveals, according to Andrea Arden int the article “How Pet Improves Your Health” published by Pets for Patriots, pets do improve our health. Your four-legged friend can lower levels of depression, blood pressure, and stress. Pets for Patriots states that many studies have shown that pets can provide physical health benefits. Arden then states “In some cases, having a pet can improve your health more than medication alone-or at all” (Arden n. pag.). Lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglyceride levels have all been proven to be the effects of a pet in a home. With increased physical activity, lower cardiovascular stress, elderly people having fewer doctor visits, and children exposed to pets at a young age benefit from all that. A study was done where the veteran reported that having a pet motivates them to be more physically active by getting them out of the house. Because the dog cannot walk themselves. Pets boost our spirits because they do not judge us in any way as humans do. They disregard our looks, failures, and disabilities. As quoted in the article“They see our invisible wounds and look beyond them.” (Arden n. pag.). They boost our spirits in reducing stress, lowering feelings of loneliness, and boosting children’s ability to relate to others. Pets in life give people a reason to wake up in the morning, Arden concludes. (n. pag.).

Consequently, as research has confirmed, pet adoption awareness should be increased because the reality of puppy mills will be decreased. Adoption reduces the surplus of puppy mills because people are not buying new animals. Instead, they are saving the lives of existing animals. More importantly, pet adoption must be implemented due to the number of pet lives saved. By adopting instead of shopping it not only saves that pet’s life but also opens up space for another. This leads to less euthanization. Most importantly, human health will be improved. The human’s health wellbeing will be enhanced, as evidence has presented, having a pet around reduces stress, anxiety, and depression by a long shot. As facts have proposed, if an actual increase in pet adoption is done, then there will be better lives for pets and humans. Pet lives will be saved if pets adoption is increased. If pet adoption increased, then the number of puppy mills would be decreased.

As pet adoption increased, Maple started to realize that more and more people were visiting her. For the first time in a long time, she felt loved and noticed. She soon was adopted by a loving old man. Instead of thinking about her tragic past, she had a reason to look toward the future and what was to come. After being in the old man’s care, she finally felt loved and appreciated. She was cared for and played with until the day she passed away. As stated before, pet adoption awareness should be increased because puppy mills will be decreased, pet lives will be saved, and human health will be improved.