Adopting a Pet Vs. Buying from Breeder

For fun, when I get a little bored, I like to go into Yahoo Answers to see what everybody is writing about. I usually like to poke around the military section and the pet section of Yahoo Answers. It, like many other postings, gives me general ideas of stories to write.

One day, I saw a posting of someone asking about what breed of cat they should buy. Once I read the entire question I felt I had a calling to answer it! I used to volunteer at a local animal control office. What I had seen, day in and day out, broke my heart. Many hopeless animals were sheltered with only the general public to rule their fate. There were sad times and happy times, but performing euthanasia really took a toll on all of the animal control officers, and myself. A part of their job includes putting down animals that are unadoptable or just did not get a home. If you ever decide to visit or volunteer, you will see for yourself, firsthand.

Years after volunteering, I made a stop into the animal control adoption center just to take a peek. With that visit I was easily able to give the answer to, "What breed of cat should I get?"

I would not go with any specific breed. My best recommendation is to go to your local animal control office and view cats there. Back in 1999, I was looking at all of the cute cats and kittens. An animal control officer walked in and pulled a cat out of its cage. She was readying to walk away with it. I took a look at the cat and it was beautiful! He was tan with beautiful distinctive swirls on his sides. I asked the officer what she was doing with him. She said he was on his way to death row and just minutes from being put down. I told her to wait. I held him once and that was it. I could really tell there was something special about that cat. He was five years old, neutered and declawed.

I asked the officer how much it would cost to adopt the cat and was told $2.00! How could someone not adopt the beautiful cat for only $2.00? I have to say that he has been with me ever since. "Tiger," a.k.a. "Tigger Tiger," was already litter trained and had all of his vaccinations. Tiger learned his own fun little tricks. He also has a very unique personality.

Do not let a cat or dog go to death row. If you are considering a loveable new addition to your family, find an animal control office in your area to take a peek. They need a home and love too! You'll see it in their sad, pouting faces when you walk past.