It cannot be argued that pets play a significant role in our lives. Cats and dogs have been living in our homes since time immemorial, and now they are kept as pets in more than a half of families worldwide. However, no matter how fun and fulfilling it is, owning an animal is a big responsibility, which starts at the moment you decide to get a new pet. Future pet owners have to answer one important question: ‘Will I buy a pet or adopt a homeless one?’
Purchasing a pet has many advantages. Firstly, it usually ensures that your pet is healthy at the moment of purchase. Secondly, your choice is much wider and you can pick a pet to your liking, including colour, fur texture and, when it comes to pure-bred dogs and cats, even personality. Thirdly, pets are sold at very young age, thus you will get to enjoy their company while they are still adorable kittens and puppies, and it also increases the chances that your pet will become attached to you very quickly and will view you as its rightful owner.
However, there are some disadvantages too. The most important of them is price. Getting yourself a pet can be very expensive, especially if it is pure-bred. Its health is also of concern. Such animals are more prone to disease and have weaker health in general.
Speaking about adopting street or shelter animals, it has a number of pros and cons as well. On the one hand, taking such an animal home often means saving its life and ensuring its well-being, which is a very good thing. Moreover, it usually costs you nothing, and the keeping expenses for these pets are generally lower. Another important consideration is that each pet is unique and has its own appearance and personality.
On the other hand, when dealing with a homeless animal, you can never be sure in what state it is physically and mentally. It is highly likely that it has lasting health problems due to malnourishment and poor living conditions, and its past negative experiences can result in undesirable patterns of behaviour that will be impossible to change.
Considering the pros and cons of both approaches, I can make a conclusion that they both are equally valid. The choice between them depends on what a future pet owner wants and sees as more important. Personally, I am inclined to compromise and to purchase an animal that is not pure-bred and, therefore, could be thrown out on the street in the case no one bought it. Nevertheless, I am also not opposed to either of the extremes I discussed in this essay.