[Poll] - Buying versus adopting

We don't have any pets yet but intend on adopting an adult lab from Labrador Retriever Rescue of Long Island when we get a house.

I'm curious to know the numbers, how people got their pets. One dog found us and another was adopted from the North Shore Animal League.

This is me as a kid, playing with our most beloved mutt, Tucker.

Re: [Poll] - Buying versus adopting

This is Meow who I got from a shelter.

Re: [Poll] - Buying versus adopting

I always get my pets either from shelters or the animal hospital I work at.

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I adopted my two cats from a rescuer.

When we are ready for a dog (MUCH later) we'll be buying from a breeder.

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we adopted our kitty from a member of LIF. Her cousin found the kitten and had too many animals at the time. So she posted on the board and my DH and I got our baby!!

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We always get our pets at shelters. DH had specific instructions when he went to look at pups at the shelter - pick the ugliest, saddest, oldest dog to rescue, and he did exactly that. We adopted a 9 year old, matted hair, shaking, scared, dandruffy little chihuahua, and he turned out to the absolute SWEETEST doggie ever... so much so, when my daughter cries in the morning when she wakes up, before anyone can get out of bed, he's by her crib to keep her company until DH or I come in to take her out...

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My dad found my dog, tied up outside an animal shelter. The shelter wasn't open yet, so we think that someone found him roaming around and tied him there hoping the shelter would find him.

You know the animal shelter that Ben Stiller goes to in Meet the Parents, that's the one. It is the shelter for Town of Oyster Bay and My dad works for that town.


He was very skinny and scared. We took him in and took care of him. We had him for 12 years and had to put him to sleep last Dec. He was the only dog I ever had and I still miss him terribly.

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We got Busey from North Shore Animal League.

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One from shelter, one from a resue org, one I took from the street, one from a friend whose cat had kittens.

I will never, ever pay for a pet. I don't care about breeds at all and I hate that there are so many animals in shelters.

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I have only adopted pets from a shelter. I think there are so many animals in need of a good home in shelters.

I did consider buying a dog. I was interested in a seeing eye dog school-dropout because with a baby, I wanted a gentle dog. But I hear its impossible to get these. So when the time comes and we have the space for it, I will go to a shelter and adopt again.

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i chose OTHER because i have

1. bought from a breeder
2. adopted from shelter
3. adopted from people who could no longer care


also, greenfreak you forgot to add "adopt from breeder" which is common. breeders often adopt out dogs (free), whether they be retired show dogs or whathaveyou

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Both of my babies came from breeders. But this was before I exhausted the possibility of adopting; I tried both times and searched rescue groups...but the kind of kitten I wanted isn't readily available. Same with my puppy; there were lots of beautiful older dogs, but I wanted a puppy for my DH. I will adopt in the future though, that I'm sure of.

And both times I got my babies from breeders I made sure that they were breeding for the right reasons. That they sold to good homes who seeked them out (word of mouth, mailing lists through the specific breed's website, etc.). That they didn't advertise in newspapers. That they didn't inbreed. That they only bred 2-3 times MAX each year. That they were raised underfoot and in clean conditions. That they were socialized animals. That the parents were alive and still there. That they didn't provide stud or b itch service.

And I neutered my cat @ 6 months, will be doing the same to my dog.

I didn't "buy" irresponsibly. I think you can responsibly "adopt" from a breeder. A good breeder will stand by their "baby" and will take it back...for the life of the pet...should you not be able to take care of it. They too want to help with pet overpopulation.

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I adopted Lucy from Kent Animal Shelter in Riverhead 11 1/2 years ago.

Actually the real story is that Lucy adopted me I went to the shelter looking for a grey kitty and they were all so docile so I was going to go check out the older cats area. As I was walking out this tiny chocolate-brown paw reached through the cage and latched onto me. How could you resist that?

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Re: [Poll] - Buying versus adopting

I chose other because:

1. My pommie (that died back in April) was rescued from someone who abandoned her over 10 years ago

2. DH purchased his BullMastiff from a pet store 6 years ago (before we knew better )

My last dog prior to that was adopted from NSAL.

Prior to that, our family dogs were adopted from what I now know are called backyard breeders. Again, this was before I knew better (and was too young to even have a say).

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Posted by Colleen9304

I adopted Lucy from Kent Animal Shelter in Riverhead 11 1/2 years ago.

Actually the real story is that Lucy adopted me I went to the shelter looking for a grey kitty and they were all so docile so I was going to go check out the older cats area. As I was walking out this tiny chocolate-brown paw reached through the cage and latched onto me. How could you resist that?

Message edited 11/6/2006 3:12:00 PM.

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7 years ago DH got Casey from a woman whose dog had 13 puppies- the lady never had her dog fixed!

We got Tally last year from a shelter.

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I adopted my cats from a shelter.
There are too many homeless pets waiting for good homes.

My motto is don't buy while others die.

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We addopted my Rudy Dog... From NSAL

Here he is as a puppy



I just couldn't leave him there. It really was LOVE at first sight. I actually saw him in the cage and got tears in my eyes (im not joking) I couldn't leave him there!


Here is my monster NOW

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All of my animals have been adopted....

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We adopted our dog from a city shelter. She was 8 weeks old. It was fate that we found each other. I can't imagine our lives without her!

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I also posted other:

Pyxie I got from a breeder. Chinese cresteds are prone to some very serious health issues so I wanted to get her from a reputable breeder who has proof of health lineage & current testing of the stud/b!tch.

DH got Loki, and I am afraid to ask where

The others were rescued. Foxy from the Town of Oyster Bay shelter, Frank from an owner who could not care for him anymore, and Bruno from Bobbi and the Strays.

I forgot to mention Hans- my mini pin that I adopted at age 10. He was with us for 8 great years (almost to the day!) I would adopt a senior dog again...when we move to a farm.

Message edited 11/7/2006 9:58:05 AM.

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I adopted both of mine. One was from a person who couldn't keep him, the other was from a kill shelter.

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Posted by Colleen9304

I adopted Lucy from Kent Animal Shelter in Riverhead 11 1/2 years ago.

Actually the real story is that Lucy adopted me I went to the shelter looking for a grey kitty and they were all so docile so I was going to go check out the older cats area. As I was walking out this tiny chocolate-brown paw reached through the cage and latched onto me. How could you resist that?

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I've had seven dogs so far and the only one we bought from a pet store was our first (it was an impulse buy). All the rest were adopted from shelters or from a private individual. I would never buy another dog again, even though "Dudley" was an absolute gem and we loved him dearly.