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on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 09:27 AM AST - 2596 Reads
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SCAA is a private, non-profit organization
committed to protecting and improving the health and welfare of companion
animals through education, health care, advocacy, outreach, adoption
and the promotion of foster care as an alternative approach to traditional
shelters. We believe it is the right of every companion animal to have
a safe, healthy life in a loving home. In this article we will talk about
the reasons why you should adopt instead of buying a pet in Shanghai.
For more information, please visit our website at www.scaashanghai.org.
SCAA Hotline: 13918552425
Why Adopt Rather Than Buy Pets in Shanghai
By Carol A. Wolfson, Founder/Executive Director, SCAA |
- When you buy a pet here, you REALLY dont know
what you are getting.
Many breeders/pet stores get their animals from cruel puppy/kitty farms
where the animals are torn away from their mother before they are
fully weaned. Just as in the pet markets, the majority of animals
in pet stores here are weak and sick, although they might be fattened
up or pumped with antibiotics to give the impression of being healthy.
Most stores/markets dont have any return policy and once you walk
out of the market you are on your own. And what about support if
you have any questions or problems with your new pet? You might arrive
home and three weeks later, you have a near-dead animal in your possession.
And dont think the store will take it back either. At SCAA, we have
heard many horrific stories about purchases that have ended tragically.
Just because there is a storefront, it doesnt mean that pet stores
are much better than the pet markets.
- When you buy from a pet market,
you are aiding and abetting a cruel industry.
It breaks all of our
hearts to walk through the pet/wet/bird markets in Shanghai. Baby
kittens and puppies are on the brink of death, literally dying of
thirst, crying out for us to buy them. That is what these sadistic
vendors have in mind; to appeal to our hearts to pay to save these
animals. Either that or for someone to come along and buy them to
cook or to use their pelts for clothing, stuffed toy fur, etc.
Walk
past these barbarians, scream at them if you must, but do not buy
these animals. Every time you buy one, they just go get another,
and you are abetting another cruel deathnot only that, but the baby
you have just saved is likely to die as well. Better yet, dont even
go to the markets: boycott them; then call SCAA. Adopt and save a
life. Our canines and felines are in as much need of love as those
big eyes staring at you at the markets. Overall, this is an issue
much larger than such a small organization as SCAA can take on. These
are issues that only the Chinese government can change from the top
down. It is when policies change and animal protection laws are implemented
and enforced that the conditions for animals in China overall will
improve. This takes time and education, but it is slowly happening.remember
it wasnt so long ago in Western countries that animals did not (and
in most areas of the world still do not) have legal rights for protection.
There are more and more local people who are starting to have pets
for the first time, and conditions will indeed change. It may take
a generation or two, but animal conditions will improve; that is
why we are targeting the primary education system with information
on general pet care, compassion for animals and the absolute need
for spaying/neuteringit is todays children that will change the
future, in all respect, here in China and worldwide.
 Not all animal
rescue organizations are the same.
We wont name names, but not all
animal rescue organizations here in Shanghai are the real thing.
Although some of the very small local groups are doing good work
on a case-by-case basis, there are others that are simply scam artists
and are using the goodwill of their target audience and expatriates
to adopt out animals that have not received adequate medical care,
and have also been bought from markets at cheap prices to adopt
out at higher prices. Adoption fees are more like purchase prices,
and you are more likely to end up with a dead pet on your hand than
a lifelong friend. Adopter beware! Since its inception in March 2005,
SCAA has adopted out nearly 200 animals, with ALL receiving medical
care from PAW Veterinarian Clinic and warnings being issued by loving
adopting parents if the animal has medical problems. To date, NOT
ONE animal has been returned (except due to allergies!) for medical
reasons and our absolute policy is that if for any reason an adoption
does not work out, we will welcome back our beloved wards immediately.
Our animals welfare is our only concern and our members know this.
- Youre
getting more for your money if you get a mixed breed.
Based on the
well-established principle of hybrid vigor, a mixed-breed animal
is likely to live longer and cost less in vet bills than a pure breed.
Many purebred dogs are prone to developing health problems ranging
from breathing difficulties to hip dysplasia to an enlarged heart.
- You get just as much love (if not more).
An adopted pet is every
bit as loving, intelligent and loyal as a purchased pet, even if you
get an adult or older animal. By Carol A. Wolfson, Founder/Executive
Director, SCAA
SCAA is desperately seeking more foster care parents!!! You can make
a difference and save the life of a companion animal in need of your
loving care, no matter how temporary! For more information, please contact
SCAA Foster Care Director, Lee-Anne Armstrong, foster@scaashanghai.org.
SCAA
Hotline: 13918552425
Website: www.scaashanghai.org
Shop & Support SCAA!!
Every time you purchase a SCAA product you help an animal in need! 100% of SCAA profits are donated to abandoned and homeless animal care!
Click one of these items below to buy from MTO123.com
A significant donation goes to SCAA.
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