Quck answer
In recent years, there has been a decrease in the number of pets available for purchase in pet stores. This is due to several factors, including increased adoption rates from shelters and rescues, public awareness of animal welfare issues, and the rise of online pet sales. Additionally, many cities and states have passed laws prohibiting the sale of certain animals, such as puppies from puppy mills. While some pet stores have shifted their focus to offering pet supplies and services, others have closed their doors. Overall, the trend towards adopting pets from shelters rather than purchasing them from pet stores is a positive development for animal welfare.
Pets
An image of a pet store window from 1957. Harold M. Lambert/Getty Images
In major U.S. pet stores, it is becoming increasingly rare to find dogs for sale due to the rise in pet adoptions and rescue options. Despite this, pet owners in the United States still spend a vast amount of money on their pets. The American Pet Products Association estimated that over $60 billion was spent on pets in 2015, which is more than the previous year and almost double the amount spent only 10 years ago. However, findings from the 2015-2016 National Pet Owners Survey show that the number of new pet owners has dropped slightly, with more than 10 percent of the recorded 79.7 million pet-owning households being new pet owners, most of which are under the age of 50.
The survey also revealed that pet owners in the Gen X and Gen Y age groups tend to spend more on their pets than their parents and grandparents in the Boomer generation, who were the ones who originally started treating pets as members of the family. Although this humanization of pets could be one reason for the decline in pet sales, Elizabeth Oreck, national manager of the Best Friends Animal Society’s Puppy Mills Initiative, believes that the decline is due to a general shift in where people choose to get pets today.
Oreck explains that the decline in pet sales can be partly attributed to the abundance of legislation regulating pet store sales and partly due to increased public awareness about the reality of puppy mills. A puppy mill is a commercial dog breeding operation where profit takes priority over the health, comfort, and welfare of the dogs. Although these facilities are regulated by the USDA, the minimum federal standards imposed on breeders don’t ensure a humane life for dogs or promote responsible breeding. These kennels can legally have hundreds of dogs in one facility, confining them to tiny, crowded cages for their entire lives, breeding them continuously to produce as many puppies as possible for the pet trade. Nearly all puppies sold in traditional pet stores come from puppy mills.
Oreck also believes that the public’s understanding about the number of homeless animals and the benefits of pet adoption have had a significant impact on the decline in pet sales. Jennifer Naujoakus, an Angels Among Us Animal Rescue volunteer and animal advocate in Atlanta, agrees and believes that education about animal rescue, the breeding industry, and the horrors of pet stores have dictated where people get their pets these days. Programs like Best Friends Puppy Mill Initiatives and the Humane Society of the United States Puppy-Friendly Pet Stores aim to spread the word about the inhumane aspects of puppy mills and their ties to the retail pet trade.
Pet stores nowadays tend to sell toys, food, and supplies rather than the pets themselves. According to Oreck, customers who buy cute puppies from pet store windows are unaware of the parents’ suffering, inbreeding, overbreeding, and sub-standard breeding that the puppy has gone through. This makes them unprepared for the health issues that many pet store puppies encounter. Although retail stores that sell puppies and kittens may disagree, none of them responded to HowStuffWorks’ inquiries about the animal-selling business. However, if local legislation continues to pass across the United States, pet-selling for profit may change or stop altogether. Currently, more than 85 communities have passed ordinances to ban pet stores from selling dogs, cats, and rabbits unless they come from shelters or rescue groups. These bans aim to alleviate the stresses of taking on new animals to local animal shelters and shut down puppy mills.
By the way, Chaser the Border Collie is a smart dog that can identify over 1,000 toys on command.
FAQ
1. What is causing the disappearance of pets from pet stores?
There are several factors contributing to this trend. One of the main reasons is the increasing popularity of adopting pets from animal shelters and rescue organizations. Another factor is the growing awareness of the unethical breeding practices and poor living conditions that many pet store animals endure. Additionally, some cities have implemented laws banning the sale of commercially bred pets in pet stores, in an effort to support adoption and animal welfare.
2. Are pet store animals being mistreated?
While not all pet store animals are mistreated, there have been instances of poor living conditions and unethical breeding practices in some pet stores. This is why many people prefer to adopt pets from animal shelters and rescue organizations, where animals are often given proper care and attention.
3. Is the disappearance of pets from pet stores a good thing?
Many animal welfare advocates believe that the disappearance of pets from pet stores is a positive trend, as it encourages adoption and helps to combat animal cruelty. However, some pet store owners and breeders argue that responsible pet stores can provide a valuable service to pet owners, and that not all commercially bred animals are mistreated.
4. How can I adopt a pet instead of buying one from a pet store?
There are many animal shelters and rescue organizations that offer pets for adoption. You can search online for local shelters and rescues, or check with your local animal control agency. Adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue can be a rewarding experience, as you are providing a loving home to an animal in need.
5. What types of pets are disappearing from pet stores?
The types of pets that are disappearing from pet stores vary depending on the store and location. However, some common pets that are often found in pet stores, such as dogs, cats, and rabbits, are becoming less common as more people choose to adopt from shelters and rescues.
6. Will pet stores eventually disappear?
It is unlikely that all pet stores will disappear, as there will always be a demand for pet supplies and services. However, the way that pet stores operate may change as more people choose to adopt from shelters and rescues, and as laws and regulations surrounding pet stores continue to evolve.
7. Are there any benefits to buying a pet from a pet store?
Some people argue that buying a pet from a pet store can have benefits, such as being able to see the animal in person before adopting, and having access to information and resources provided by the store. However, it is important to research the store and breeder carefully to ensure that the animal is being treated ethically and has been properly cared for.
8. How can I tell if a pet store is selling animals that have been mistreated?
There are several signs that a pet store may be selling animals that have been mistreated, such as animals that appear sick or malnourished, cramped living conditions, and a lack of information or transparency about the animals’ origins and care. It is important to research the store and breeder carefully before making a purchase.
9. Are there any laws regulating pet stores?
Yes, there are laws and regulations at both the state and federal level that govern pet stores and the sale of pets. These laws address issues such as animal welfare, licensing requirements, and consumer protection. Some cities have also implemented laws banning the sale of commercially bred pets in pet stores, in an effort to support adoption and animal welfare.
10. What can I do to support animal welfare?
There are many ways to support animal welfare, such as adopting pets from shelters and rescues, volunteering at animal shelters, and donating to animal welfare organizations. You can also research the stores and breeders you buy from to ensure that they are treating animals ethically and following laws and regulations.
11. How can I learn more about animal welfare and adoption?
There are many resources available to learn more about animal welfare and adoption, such as local animal shelters and rescue organizations, online forums and communities, and books and documentaries about animal welfare issues. You can also speak with veterinarians and animal welfare experts for more information.
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