If you’re reading this, you’re probably a dog lover… So I assume you treat your dog as part of your family or, if you don’t have one, I suppose that you want a dog to be a  part of it. Buying dogs is culturally accepted. But isn’t it a little bit strange? I mean, we are used to it, but if you really think about it, you’ll realize that it is the same as treating your dog as a merchandise – which is a little bit… odd.
Here are some really good reasons for adopting a dog instead of buying one:
#1 You’ll save a life
Dogs that live on the streets are at serious risks: they don’t have food, protection, can easily get a disease or be hit by a car. Besides, even the dogs that don’t live in the streets are in danger, because many run the risk of being euthanized if they’re not adopted.
#2 You’ll provide a better life for a dogÂ
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that, in Brazil, the number of abandoned dogs is of approximately 20 million. Many dogs live on the streets, are mistreated or live in kennels. By adopting one, you’d help not only reduce the homeless pet population, but to improve a dog’s life by giving it love, food and a comfortable place to stay.
#3 You won’t be financing the industry
Do you know where those cute little puppies that we see in pet stores really come from? Let me tell you something: it’s most likely that they come from a puppy mill. Puppy mills are factory-style breeding facilities that put profit above the welfare of dogs. Animals from puppy mills are housed in poor conditions with improper medical care, and are often very sick, behaviorally troubled and can have genetic problems as a result.
#4 You’ll help more than one dog
Usually these rescue groups and animal shelters don’t have enough resources, money and space to help dogs as much as they’d like. By adopting a dog, you’re making room for others that might need it desperately. Other than that, if you pay a adoption fee it’ll go back into helping even more animals.
If you’re not convinced yet, here’s a compilation of heartwarming adoption stories:
After all this, the question is: why wouldn’t you adopt a dog?
Look for NGOs and animal shelters near you, I’m sure that there are lots of dogs waiting to be adopted! Here are some organizations in São Paulo: