Michigan residents prefer purebred dogs over shelter adoption, survey shows
Across the United States, potential dog owners are leaning toward shelter adoption over purchasing purebreds. However, the state of Michigan is an outlier, with more preferring to shop than adopt.
Bone Voyage Dog Rescue recently conducted a survey of over 3,000 potential dog owners, where Michiganders had a 3-percent shift away from shelter ownership, preferring purebreds, according to a news release.
The survey revealed that 46 percent of respondents expressed interest in adopting from a shelter, with a 6 percent increase in shelter ownership compared to previous data from the Humane Society of the United States.
Michigan is one of 10 states to lean toward purebreds rather than shelter adoption, with only 37 percent of Michigan respondents preferring shelter adoption. An interactive map with data from each state can be found here.
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According to the news release, shelter adoption can have many positive impacts. Annette Thompson, executive director of Bone Voyage Dog Rescue, said the benefits of adopting are multi-faceted.
"This increasing trend towards shelter dog adoption promises substantial improvements in the welfare of homeless animals. The shift could lead to a decrease in the number of dogs in shelters, as more are adopted,” Thompson said.
With more dogs finding homes, shelter populations would decrease, meaning each shelter would have more resources available to help the remaining animals. This includes additional medical care, larger spaces, and more staff attention.
Furthermore, adopted dogs would have a higher quality of life due to more stability, space, and personalized attention compared to shelters. They are likely to receive more socialization opportunities and consistent care and training, leading to a happy and healthy dog.
Adoption of shelter dogs may also discourage breeders from unethical practices, including those seen at puppy mills.
“This rising trend of adoption not only promises a brighter future for shelter dogs but also signifies a broader cultural shift towards responsible pet ownership and empathy towards animal welfare,” said Thompson. “The data certainly supports the trend, and it’s a trend that would have immense impact across the animal welfare field.”
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Survey: Michigan residents prefer purebred dogs over shelter adoption
