Rise Of The Underdog: Remarkable Shift Towards Adoption Of Shelter Dogs Over Purebred Purchases

For some, the exorbitant cost of Purebred Dogs, which can reach up to $10,000 for Breeds such as Rottweilers and Chow Chows, is a considerable deterrent. For others, the concern is over health issues commonly associated with Purebreds. English Bulldogs and Pugs, for instance, are often plagued with Respiratory problems. Also, many individuals also feel a moral obligation to provide homes to Shelter Dogs.

Bone Voyage Dog Rescue recently conducted a Study revealing a significant shift towards Adopting Shelter Dogs over purchasing Purebreds from Breeders. A Survey of 3,000 potential Dog Owners in Florida revealed that an impressive 45% of them expressed an intent to Adopt from Shelters, marking a 5% swing towards possible Shelter Dog Ownership when contrasted with older data from the Humane Society of the United States, which indicated that 40% of Pet Dogs in households were previously Shelter Dogs.

“This increasing trend towards Shelter Dog Adoption promises substantial improvements in the Welfare of Homeless Animals. The shift could lead to a decrease in the number of Dogs in Shelters, as more are adopted,” says Annette Thompson, Executive Director of Bone Voyage Dog Rescue, when commenting on the Study.

A state-by-state analysis of the Survey data revealed the strongest preference for Shelter Dog Adoption is in Nebraska, with a remarkable 81% expressing a preference for Shelter Dogs over Purebred Breeds. In Florida 45% of residents surveyed stated they would rather Adopt from their Local Shelter vs purchasing a Dog from a Pet Store or Online.

In a complementary Study, Bone Voyage Dog Rescue used Google Search trends to understand the public's interest in Shelter Dogs over the past year. The insights from Google mirrored the Survey data, reinforcing the shift towards Shelter Dog Ownership.

Among the top 25 states most interested in Shelter Dog Adoption, 22 demonstrated a marked shift towards this preference, as per the Survey data. Wyoming, for instance, had the highest proportion of Shelter Dog searches, reflecting its second-place ranking in the Survey. Similarly, New Mexico ranked third in Google searches for Shelter Dogs, aligning with its second-place position in the Survey for those most likely to Adopt a Shelter Dog.

The rising trend of Shelter Dog Adoption holds considerable potential for improving Animal Welfare in the U.S. This shift could have multi-faceted benefits, creating a ripple effect that extends beyond the lives of the individual Dogs adopted.

Decreasing the number of Dogs residing in Shelters is a primary benefit. With more Dogs finding homes, the overall population in Shelters would shrink. Consequently, Shelters would have more resources available per Animal, including space, Staff attention, and Medical Care. This shift would result in better living conditions for the remaining Animals while reducing the strain on Shelter Resources.

Secondly, an increase in the Adoption of Shelter Dogs could influence the supply-demand dynamics of the Pet Industry. If consumers choose Adoption over purchasing from Breeders, it might discourage Unethical Breeding Practices, including those prevalent in Puppy Mills. This change would further contribute to enhancing Animal Welfare on a larger scale.

Finally, each adopted Dog's individual Quality Of Life would likely see significant improvements. Home environments typically offer more space, personal attention, and stability than Shelters. Adopted Dogs receive consistent Care, Training, and Socialization Opportunities, leading to better Physical Health and Behavioral outcomes. This transformation enriches the adopted Dog's Life and can bring immeasurable joy and companionship to the family adopting.

“This rising trend of adoption not only promises a brighter future for Shelter Dogs but also signifies a broader cultural shift towards responsible Pet Ownership and empathy towards Animal Welfare,” adds Thompson. “The data certainly supports the trend, and it’s a trend that would have immense impact across the Animal Welfare Field.”

Looking To Adopt?

If you are looking to Adopt a Pet the Humane Society of Broward County is the place to visit. Here are a couple of possible family members for you to go see, you just might find the love of your life.

Sweet Diego is an energetic 3-year-old fellow who gets the zoomies when he first goes outside. Once he runs and plays a bit, he settles down and just wants to be with you and get lots of pets. Diego even enjoyed lounging in the kiddie pool to cool off, so if you have a pool, you might find him swimming in it. He weighs about 47 pounds, and the Staff say he walks well on a leash and when he was spending time with them at the front desk, Diego was a perfect gentleman. If you have a dog at a home, a meet and greet would be recommended just to make sure everyone gets along. Thanks to a Dog lover, Diego’s Adoption Fee has been Sponsored – he just needs a chance. Will you be the one that gives him that?

If you’re looking for a Feline friend, then 8-year-old Oscar would love to go home with you. Sadly, his owner died and now he is all alone. Oscar previously lived with Dogs, so if you have one or two and they like Cats, with a slow introduction, everyone will hopefully get along. He will need time to adjust to his new home, so please give him time to settle into his new place. Thanks to Cat lovers at Real Res, they have kindly Sponsored Oscar’s Adoption Fee.

To meet Diego (ID 669775), Oscar (ID 671904) or any other pet at the Humane Society of Broward County, complete the pre-adoption application at: www.humanebroward.com and then stop by. The shelter is located at 2070 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312 and the Adoption Kennels open daily at 11:00 a.m. If you have any questions, call: (954) 989-3977. Extension#: 6 and if you can’t Adopt, be sure to share.