The dog breeding industry is a very profitable business which finds hundreds of thousands of puppies loving families each year. While many do find their “furever” homes, the breeding industry’s effects on adoptable dogs is very harmful. No matter what breed, size, or age you are looking for, you can find an adoptable dog in need.

Every year, 1.5 million cats and dogs in shelters are euthanized in the United States alone. These spaces are trying their hardest to save every animal they can,  however there are not enough resources or funding, let alone people adopting them, to keep them alive, therefore they have been being put down because of this lack.

What is the draw of getting a dog from a breeder or puppy mill? The dogs that come from these places are always puppies, fresh out of the womb, with no outer imperfections. Whatever breed you want, teacup, miniature, large-bred, you can find the perfect dog in these breeding homes or puppy mills. You may be wondering then to yourself, what is so bad about them? Puppy mills are large-scale dog breeding operations that prioritize profit over welfare of the dogs. Mothers of these dogs are forced to continually produce puppies until they physically can’t anymore, the puppies are kept in less than ideal conditions, some even abusive, and the breeders often don’t care to pay for their veterinary care. This isn’t to say that all breeders are abusive in this way, however a very large portion are. Dogs purchased from a puppy mill or a breeder that may also get their puppies from the mill are more likely to develop health issues. Additionally, purebred dogs, which is what puppy mills and breeders focus on, often come with genetic disorders which in turn attributes to shorter life spans leading to more veterinary trips for the owners that fall victim to buying these “perfect” dogs.

Here are some of the benefits of adopting a dog! Adopting is a lot cheaper. The shelter workers constantly advocate for their dogs to be bought because they are more than a profit, they see them as living beings that deserve to be treated right. There are a lot less health problems (genetically) within these dogs.  There could be less training because most of them have been in homes before and have simply been surrendered because the owners don’t have room for them anymore. Adoption fees typically include all the necessary medical requirements for dogs – spaying, vaccinations, ect. And of course the obvious benefit; you save a life and open a new spot in the shelter for another to be saved.

These are just some adoption sites nearby the South Bend area (and a little extended):

Pet Refuge (4626 S Burnett Dr, South Bend IN 46614) –> https://www.petrefuge.com/about

Heartland Small Animal Rescue (4540 Grape Rd, Mishawaka 46545) –> http://www.heartlandsmallanimalrescue.org/

All 4 Animal Rescue (2300 W 6th St, Mishawaka 46544) –> https:/all4animalrescue.org all4animalrescue.org

Humane Society of St. Joseph County (2506 Grape Rd Mishawaka 46545) –> https:/humanesocietystjc.org