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There are thousands of cats and dogs in shelters waiting to be adopted, and an estimated 60% of animals who enter the system are euthanized. So of course, the logical choice is to adopt your new pet from a shelter rather than purchasing from a breeder, right?

Well, adopting from a shelter would certainly be a generous and compassionate choice, but there are valid reasons to choose a breeder too.

Benefits of Going Through a Shelter

The best thing about adopting a pet from a rescue shelter is that you are saving a life. In the current economic climate, many animals are in shelters simply because their owners can no longer afford to keep them, not because their pets have 'issues' or because they're 'strays'. Even the animals who have "issues" can become wonderful pets given time, patience and a bit of effort.

Many cats and dogs in shelters are litter/house-trained, and many have undergone behavioral evaluations to determine whether they are adoptable. Shelter personnel get to know the animals they care for, and can help you find the right pet for you. Older animals are known quantities in size and health, have gone through the trying puppy/kitten years and are often very content to be back in a home again.

There are purebred cats and dogs available, and if a particular breed isn't available in a local shelter, you can use Petfinders.com or AdoptAPet.com to find exactly what you're looking for.

The cost of a rescue cat or dog is significantly less - even if you're adopting a purebred - and often the animals have all of their vaccinations and are spayed or neutered, so you don't have to deal with the recuperation period either.

If you decide to go through a shelter, don't fall in love with the first furry face you see and don't select an unsuitable animal just because you feel sorry for them. Don't feel guilty because you can't take them all home. The best any of us can do is to choose the right pet, make sure they don't end up back in the shelter, and withdraw support from bad breeders and puppy mills.

Benefits of Going Through a Breeder

Many people are looking for a particular breed - that specific dog or cat you've dreamed of owning since childhood. Some people need a particular breed for health reasons (allergies, for example). The size and general temperament of a well-bred puppy is a known quantity - important if you live in a small flat or have children.

A good breeder will offer after-adoption, lifetime support, helpful for your first pet.If for some reason you cannot keep your purebred, a good breeder will take them back or help you find a suitable home.

And of course if you are considering showing or breeding dogs yourself, you need to start with a AKC registered purebred dog.

If you're going to buy from a breeder, choose the breed, the bloodline AND the breeder very, very carefully. A good breeder will ask you more questions than you ask them, they will have detailed information on the bloodlines and any health issues their breed may suffer from.

The Best of Both Worlds

There is a third option - adopting from a breed rescue group. Most breeders and breed clubs have contact information on groups and individuals who concentrate on helping a specific breed. It's a win-win - you'll have the breed you've always wanted (quite possibly with papers) AND you'll be saving a life.


Both shelters and breeders (good breeders) are great ways to find the perfect pet. Whether you decide to go through a shelter or a breeder for your next pet, choose both the supplier and the individual animal carefully, and remember that a pet is a long-term commitment.

Learn more about this author, Pat Gray.
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