Adopt, don't shop!

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerman adopts Puppy from Oregon breeder
http://www.oregonlive.com/pets/index.ssf/2011/03/mark_zuckerbergs_newest_friend.html

(Click on blog article title above to read the original news article)

Language can be a powerful tool. The animal rights groups are fully aware of that concept, and have effectively used language as a weapon against animal owners. Consider the slurs "puppy mill", "backyard breeder" and other derogatory terms, coined by animal rights activists and effectively designed to alter public perception of the dog breeder. The word "adopt" also figures heavily into that anti-breeder strategy. We are told by those riding atop the high horse that we should "Adopt, not shop."

There really is no practical distinction between adopting versus shopping. In both types of transactions, money always changes hands. So does it matter how we might choose to refer to either situation? Perhaps. "Sell" implies a cold, strictly commercial transaction. "Adopt" is a warm and fuzzy term, invoking visions of nurturing, noble intent, and a sense of family. So why not use the term "adopt" when you bring a new pet into your home....from any source?

A friend of mine sent along these thoughts on the use of the term "adopt".

Adoption of a child involves:

1. a great deal of money
2. a burning desire on the part of the potential 'parents' to have one of their own "species' to raise and protect
3. the courts and at least a lawyer or two
4. an in depth study of the family including discussions with
neighbors, other family and friends
5. always a home check
6. an in depth criminal background check
7. can involve background check on religious views, social views and more.
8. considerattion of age, marital status , sexual preferences, and much more..
9. assessment by a third party of amount of time spent at home
10. assessment of other children in the home
11. evaluation of the housing situation.. number of bedrooms, living space.. etc..
12. There's always a case worker involved before you are allowed to
formally adopt.

Then there is this published statement regarding adoption:

"Frustrated adoptive parents have been heard to claim that they feel they should have a "right" to adopt, and they demand the cooperation of others in protecting those rights. Although it is true that everyone has a "right" to desire and to attempt an adoption, from a practical standpoint, no one has an absolute "right" to adopt."

How many times have you heard from AR's that "adopting or being the guardian" of a pet is a privilege.. not a right. This is not a simple.. "Oh I love my dog and he is like my child"..This is a term that can change the very process of acquiring a pet. Please give this some thought before you use the term "adopt" when referring to a pet.