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Adopt Don’t Shop
Here’s Your

Swipe File
By Sandy Weaver

The dog-loving general public has fallen for language a joy and a frustration and a heartbreak. Dogs are like
that automatically makes purebred dog breeders the the rest of life–a wonderful roller-coaster ride. And
enemy of kindness and morality. As the marketing dogs are unlike the rest of life, because in order to
rolls out from animal rights groups into general get the most out of the ride there is a need to learn to
population usage through social media, pithy understand and “speak” a new, non-verbal language.
pronouncements like “adopt, don’t shop” take on The people who get their dog from a responsible
mythical, magical, and poisonous properties. It’s up breeder or responsible rescue know this. The rest
to the fancy to clap back on language that makes it don’t because they sourced their dog from someone
easier for people to vote for laws that affect the rights who doesn’t know it either.
to own and enjoy any kind of dog–purebred or mixed,
intact or neutered, and even whether litters of puppies Here’s your swipe file. If you want to help people
can legally be produced. make the best decision when they’re looking for a
dog, use the following language. If you want to post
Read on for a swipe file to use when “adopt, don’t a response to an “adopt, don’t shop” post on social
shop” shows up in your social media feed or media, use the following language. Edit it, change
conversations. Educate, don’t evade. it around to make it sound more like you–just take
People who adopt from a pound or rescue group are it and share it. You’ll help people understand more
about adding a dog to their lives, and you’ll educate,
making a choice that is theirs to make. Sometimes not evade. You’ll be doing something proactive for
it’s an informed choice and sometimes not. Many responsible breeders and for the fancy. Educate, don’t
are under the influence of the “adopt, don’t shop” evade. Thank you in advance.
mentality.

Many are choosing to take in a dog they know little The “adopt, don’t shop” phrase is cute and pithy
to nothing about, in the same way someone who and ridiculous. “Don’t shop” means that you
goes to a pet store to purchase a puppy does. They’re go into the shelter or rescue and take the first
choosing a pig in a poke and hoping for the best. available animal. No choosing what works for
Some rescues are no better than pet stores–they take you–nope, no shopping! Just take the first available
in dogs and send out dogs without regard to the best dog or cat, and you can’t even make that choice.
interests of the dogs or the people adopting them. Take the one that’s next on the euthanasia list or
They just care if the check clears or the Venmo goes the one that’s been there longest, no matter what
through, all the while trumpeting the lives being it is, how old it is, what it’s behavioral or medical
saved. But at what cost? issues are, and whether it’s even what you were
Some who adopt from rescues do their homework thinking of getting when you walked in the door
and work with a responsible rescue or shelter, one or logged onto the website. Don’t follow your heart
that temperament-tests the dog, holds it for a period or your head or the needs of your family–adopt,
of time before adopting it out to evaluate how it is don’t shop. No... SHOP!
with food, toys, other dogs, animals, people, children, Make educated choices for the animal that best
etc. If they’re fortunate to be working with a reputable fits your life. Whether you go through a pound, a
rescue, the new owner will be fully informed about rescue, or a responsible breeder that does health
the dog they’re taking home. If they choose to take on checks, chooses the parents carefully and will
senior dogs or tripod dogs or fearful dogs, they will always take back their dogs if something happens
understand the potential amount of extra work and to the owners, shop for the furry friend that will fit
expense those dogs might require. your life for its entire life. Before you add a living
“Rescue” has taken on a nobility it doesn’t deserve being to your life, shop. Shop carefully so you get
and the finger wagging by rescue groups and rescue it right. You owe it to the animal being entrusted
aficionados towards those who choose a purebred dog to your care.
does a disservice to homeless animals. People have
come to believe their good deed will be appreciated Sandy Weaver is an author, consultant, professional
by the dog they adopted, and the dog will be grateful speaker and AKC judge of the Working Group, some Non-
and become a wonderful family member. That Sporting and Toy breeds and Junior Showmanship. She
thought process assumes dogs think like that, but also works with clubs across America, presenting seminars
they don’t. That thought process also doesn’t take into to help people win more in the conformation ring. When
consideration the training and time their new dog she’s not traveling to consult, speak or to judge, she’s
will need in order to become a true member of the spoiling her Siberian Husky and Standard Poodle.
family. https://www.centerforworkplacehappiness.com/dog-club-info
There’s nothing magical about owning a dog. Dogs are Originally published October 2023 in The Canine Chronicle
work, dogs are an expense and dogs are a blessing and - www.caninechronicle.com