Adopt Don’t Shop, Because Adopting Saves Lives

In August 2020, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, called upon people to adopt native Indian dog breeds. His appeal, which gave strength to the ‘adopt don’t shop’ movement in India, has been much welcomed for a number of reasons.

Many people in India want to “own” foreign breed dogs to raise as “pets.” Over the years, this has encouraged dog breeding for commercial purposes, throwing up a multitude of ethical concerns. In fact, the problems arising from breeding have become so acute that specific rules, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing), were adopted in 2017.

Problems associated with commercial dog breeding

So, what is the nature of problems associated with dog breeding for commercial purposes? What is the problem with dog breeders and dog breeding in India? Smt. Maneka Gandhi in her article, Making their life miserable, explains:

For years, dog breeders have been working outside the law. They breed foreign dogs in filthy conditions, mate brother to sister, father to daughter, bring hundreds of sickly diseased puppies with uncertain tempers into the world, sell them to people who buy status rather than the dog and make everyone’s life miserable for years. 95 per cent of the thousands of dog bites in India, according to government statistics, are from owned pedigreed dogs. Many are abandoned when they prove to be too temperamental, or too hard to look after, and they die in agonising circumstances- starving, being run over or bitten to death by street dogs. Many of them are sold with distemper or parvo virus, but since the entire trade is in black, the buyer cannot return the dog or demand a refund. Dog breeding is a business that runs into crores of rupees.” ~Smt. Maneka Gandhi

Adopt Indian, don’t shop for foreign breeds

Under the circumstances described by Smt. Gandhi, people should be wary of buying dogs. Instead, if they want to have a companion dog, they could look around in their neighborhoods. There are many dogs of Indian breed living on the streets. The unneutered ones frequently give birth to litters. By adopting one of the pups, people could give the dog a loving home and save her/him from the insecurity of the streets.

Alternately, people can approach adoption centers and foster care homes in their cities that rescue and house many dogs – both of Indian origin as well as abandoned foreign breed dogs. A dog of an Indian breed can be a good companion too. Scientific studies have shown that dogs pick up emotional information from humans and behave accordingly. Hence any dog, irrespective of the breed, is capable of love, warmth, and companionship. A dog that receives love is warm and friendly.

Dr. S Chinny Krishna, founder of the exemplary animal hospital, Blue Cross of India talking to The Times of India says:

“I have nothing against pedigree dogs. But all I can tell you is that an Indian dog can give you the same love and affection a so-called pedigree dog gives. All the dogs in my house are rescued ones.”

Dr. S chinny krishna

Having a dog is a responsibility, not a means for entertainment

As a society, we must examine our behavior and ask ourselves why we want to “own” dogs? Is it because we truly love them and enjoy their companionship, or do we just love the idea of having a dog, especially “owning” a pedigree dog that can give us “status” like owning an expensive car would? It is not unusual to hear of cases where a dog gets abandoned because the animal was given as a gift to someone, who sometime later realizes that the person is not a “dog person.” Or, of a pup gifted to a child, soon after which the child loses interest and the adults realize they don’t have time for the dog. Or the idea of having a foreign breed dog sounded good, but the responsibilities became a burden.

Yes, having a dog as a pet, aka “companion” also means many responsibilities. Responsibilities such as providing for the annual vaccinations, adequate diet and exercise, and regular grooming as the prominent ones. So, people should decide to have a dog only if they are sure they would be able to shoulder the responsibilities.

Let’s please spread the message of ‘adopt don’t shop’ to prevent people around us from contributing to the menace of commercial breeding.