Explaining a Concept Research Paper - Essay Example

Rather than selecting a pet from a breeding farm or pet store, adopting an abandoned animal from a shelter, is increasingly gaining importance. The purpose of this research paper is explain the concept of why adoption from an animal shelter should be considered first when choosing a pet, rather than select an animal from a pet store. Further, the use of pets from shelters as resources for adoption by healthcare institutions and other facilities for patient well-being will be examined. The Lucrative Breeding of Animals for the Pet-Supply Industry It was estimated in 2004 that the American pet-supply industry sales produced profits of over $23 billion every year, and that it would to continue rising (Fournier and Geller 61).

The increase in companion animals is considered by professionals in the industry as a positive sign people are appreciating the value of pets. However, a contrasting picture is revealed by the number of these ‘valued’ pets entering shelters and being euthanized. “Because the pet-supply industry is so lucrative, businesses put significant effort into marketing their products to the pet consumer” (Fournier and Geller 61). Media advertising also plays a major role in pet-supply sales, thereby contributing to overpopulation of pet animals in the domestic context.

“Puppy mills” is the descriptive as well as derogatory term used for dog breeding farms that produce and supply puppies to pet stores. Strategies to terminate such enterprises include “educational programs to encourage adoption of pets from animal shelters” (Guither 108), promoting legislation to regulate and license dog breeding enterprises, and requiring pet stores to give the source of the animals they offer for sale. Some animal rights groups claim that policies have not been enforced against commercial dog breeding, and inspectors have not examined the animals in commercial breeding facilities.

People intending to buy a pet are advised by animal rights groups to buy from small family enterprises where puppies are well cared for and free from disease. Most animal welfare organizations “promote spaying and neutering to reduce the number of unwanted animals being born” (Guither 108). These campaigns have resulted in reducing the euthanization of homeless dogs and cats at the shelters. The Abandonment of Pets at Animal Shelters In the United States, every year millions of dogs and other companion animals are abandoned by their owners at animal shelters (McDonald et al. 311). Organizations such as the Humane Society operate thousands of shelters across the country, to provide temporary housing and other services to abandoned animals.

They perform the critical function of finding permanent homes for the animals. Unfortunately, however, the numbers of abandoned animals are far greater than the number of individuals and families willing to adopt them. Consequently, millions of animals are put to death every year to make room for new pets brought to the shelters. Difficulty in coping with pets’ particularly dogs’ problem behaviors are cited most often as the reason by owners who leave their former companion animal at animal shelters (McDonald et al. 311). Most members of animal rights groups do not approve of pet owning, considering it to be unethical, and a form of “fascism” or dictatorship, based on Americans’