Should We

Buy or Adopt
Pet?
Subject: Critical Thinking
Class: BSC162
August 2016
Group Member
Te Wan Ying
Veon Nee
Ng Chuu Huey
Ong Pei Chee

Chapter

Title

Page

Acknowledgement

Introduction

(a)Definition of Pet

(b)History of Pet

(c)The Difference between Buy and

Adopt

(d)Reasons to Buy or Adopt a Pet

(e)Facts of U.S. Animal Shelter

Graph Analysis

Conclusion

26

Bibliography

27

Survey Form

28

Table of Contents

Acknowledgement
In performing our group project, we had to take the help and
guideline of some respected person, who reserve our greatest gratitude.
This group project would not have been possible without the support of
many people. The completion of this project gives us much pleasure.
Firstly, we would like to show our gratitude to Mr. Mark, Critical
Thinking subject lecturer of Dasein Academy of Art for giving us a good
guideline for this project. Besides that, we would like to send our gratitude
to those who help us in our survey. Many people, especially our
classmates, have made valuable comment suggestions on this project
which gave us an inspiration to improve it.
Lastly, we would like to express our sincere thankfulness to all the
people who help us directly and indirectly in our project although their
name is not mentioned.

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Introduction
Nowadays, animal rights has been a very hot topic that discussed by
the society people. One of the discussed topics about the animal rights
should have included pets rights. People always discuss or even argue
about we should buy or adopt a pet to solve the problems about pets but
there is never an end for it. So, in this project, our group is going to find
out the conclusion for this issue: Should We Buy or Adopt Pet?
As the people who are involved in the argument about this issue
always neglect some main point or reason that is very important for
finding out the conclusion, so we decided to bring out all the main point in
this project.
Our group has done some second-hand research from U.S.s website
and also firsthand research in the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
for this project. We started our project in July,2016 and completed it in
August,2016.

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Definition of Pet
1. A domestic or tamed
animal or bird kept for
companionship
or
pleasure and treated
with care and affection.
Google Dictionary

2. An animal that is kept in

the
home
as
a
companion and treated
kindly.

Cambridge Dictionary

Details
A pet or companion animal is an animal kept primarily for a person's
company or protection, as opposed to working animals, sport animals,
livestock, and laboratory animals, which are kept primarily for
performance, agricultural value, or research. The most popular pets are
noted for their attractive appearances and their loyal or playful
personalities.
Pets commonly provide their owners physical and emotional
benefits. Walking a dog can supply both the human and pet with exercise,
fresh air, and social interaction. Pets can give companionship to elderly
adults who do not have adequate social interaction with other people, as
well as other people that are living alone. There is a medically approved
class of therapy animals, mostly dogs or cats, which are brought to visit
confined humans. Pet therapy utilizes trained animals and handlers to
achieve specific physical, social, cognitive, and emotional goals with
patients.

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History of Pets
Prehistoric communities
In prehistoric times, the relationship between primitive man and
animals was that of hunter and prey. People viewed animals primarily as a
source of food and skins for clothing.
The first animal to make the transition from the wild to the
domesticated state was the wolf, the common ancestor of all modern-day
dogs. This occurred at least 12,00014,000 years ago when people
discovered that young wolf cubs that remained subordinate to humans as
adults could be trained.
From
the
earliest
days
of
domestication, dogs would have had practical
uses. They were kept because they could
perform tasks such as hunting, guarding, and
herding. Although domesticated dogs were
probably treated with respect in primitive
societies, there is evidence that at least some
were also considered companions as early as
12,000 years ago. The finding of a Paleolithic
tomb in Northern Israel, in which a human was buried with a dog or wolf
puppy, illustrates this point. The dead person's hand had been arranged
so that it rested on the animal's shoulder, as if to emphasize a deep bond
of affection during life.

Ancient civilizations
In some ancient civilizations, dogs may also have had cultural
significance, usually in regard to death practices. In some cases, the
deceased were deliberately put out for dogs to consume, as it was
thought necessary for the dead person's soul to pass through a dog to
reach the afterlife. These early associations between dogs and death
gradually evolved into beliefs that dogs could ward off or prevent death. In
ancient Greece, dogs were kept as co-therapists in healing temples for
their perceived ability to cure illness. This can be seen as the precursor of
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our modern practice of using therapy dogs to

help people with a wide range of conditions.
Pet ownership by the ruling or noble
classes has a long history, dating back at
least as far as ancient Egyptian times. Murals
from this era depict pharaohs keeping
companion animals. Many generations of
Chinese emperors kept dogs that, as puppies,
were often suckled by human wet nurses,
and as adults were tended to by their own servants. Greek and Roman
nobility were also avid pet keepers.

The Middle Ages

In medieval Europe, from the 13th15th
centuries AD, pet keeping was popular among
the aristocracy and some senior clergy. Lap dogs
were fashionable among the noble ladies,
whereas male nobility were more inclined to
lavish their attention on more "useful" animals,
such as hunting hounds and falcons. During this
period, hunting, or "venery," was of great
importance to the aristocracy as a symbol of
power and status. Dog breeds spread
throughout Europe as different types of hound
were developed for chasing different quarry.
Nevertheless, the Christian church frowned on pet keeping. Church
leaders suggested that the food used for these animals should be given to
the poor. However, the Church was probably more afraid that close
associations with animals were strongly linked to pagan worship. The
prejudice against pets reached its height during the Inquisition, where
evidence against heretics often included references to close associations
with animals.
Throughout the barbaric witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries,
a large number of innocent people were accused of witchcraft and
condemned to death. Possession of an "animal familiar," considered to be
a symbol of Satan, was used as evidence of their guilt. The accused were
most often elderly and socially isolated women who probably kept animals
for companionship. As interest in witchcraft declined, however, companion
animals returned to favour and even came to symbolize good fortune.

The Rise of Pet Keeping

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Pet keeping wasn't generally accepted in Europe until the end of the
17th century, and it wasn't common among the middle classes until the
late 18th century. Pet keeping in its present form is probably a 19th
century Victorian invention. At this time, it was perceived as a link with
the natural world, which itself was no longer seen as threatening. It also
allowed a visible demonstration of man's domination over nature.
Britain had been a center for dog breeding
since Roman times, and one of the first
formal competitive dog shows was held in
Newcastle in 1859 for the Pointer and Setter
breeds. Still, little was known about the
inheritance of various characteristics until
Charles Darwin published The Origin of the
Species in 1859. Since that time, dog
breeding has become more formalized with
the establishment of strict breed standards.

The Difference between Buy and Adopt

Definition of Buy and Adopt
Ways to Get a Pet
Buy
Adopt

Definition
Getting a pet from a breeder or pet store.
Getting a pet from a shelter or rescue.

Further Information
Adopting
Adopting is done from a non-profit animal shelter, or
charity run pet rescue group (this can be from kill, or
non-kill shelters). Money generally changes hands, and
contracts are always involved (they may or may not be
involved with sales). The pets are adopted out at a
relatively low cost, reflecting the fact that the animal
shelter is non-profit. Adopters are screened (as they are
from reputable breeders too), and go through a process
of qualifying. Adoption contracts generally require the
pet to be returned to the shelter if the adoptive owner
cannot keep it.
Buying
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Buying is when you purchase a pet from a private seller

or business. Money is exchanged, either all at once, or
in payments. Its really rather straight forward. There
are many types of sellers, from the reputable breeder
(who only sells registered animals, and breeds only to
better the breed, taking animals to shows to prove their
worth as breeding animals, and so forth), to owners who
can no longer keep their pet, to back yard breeders,
who breed their unproven dogs and sell the pups, to
accidental litters, to the pet store.

Reasons to Buy or Adopt a Pet

Reasons to Buy a Pet
1. If you can find a reputable breeder, you may
have a
better chance at getting a pet that suits
your lifestyle.
2. By buying a pet, you know everything about
the pet
from day one.
3. Pet from pet shop or breeder are absolutely healthy.
4. To get a purebred pet or unique half- bred pet.

Reasons to Adopt a Pet

1. You'll save a life and give them a warm shelter.

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2. Adopting a pet is cheaper than buying a pet at

a
pet store or through other sources.
3. Adopting a pet will make you feel better
because you
have done a good deed.
4. You won't be supporting breeding mills and pet
stores.

Facts about U.S. Animal Shelters

There are about 13,600 community animal
shelters in U.S. that are independent. There is no
national organization monitoring these shelters.
The terms humane society and SPCA are
generic; shelters using those names are not part of
the ASPCA or the Humane Society of the United
States. Currently, no government institution or animal organization is
responsible for tabulating national statistics for the animal protection
movement. These are national estimates; the figures may vary from state
to state.

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Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters

nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and
3.4 million are cats.
Among 3.9 million dogs,
Overview
Euthanized
Adopted
As stray are returned to their owner

Value
1.2M
1.4M
542,000

Among 3.4 million cats,

Overview
Euthanized
Adopted
As stray are returned to their owner

Value
1.4M
1.3M
100,000

Graph Analysis
There were 38 people participated in our survey.
Based on the survey, we have come out with the statistics below.
1. Gender:

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Male; 26%

Female; 74%

2. Age:
Male:
Female:

29-33; 4%

18-23; 96%

44-48; 20%

18-23; 80%

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3. Did you have a pet before?

Male in the age range of 18-23:
range of 44-48:

Male in the age

Yes; 40%
No; 60%

No; 100%

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No; 30%

Yes; 70%

Female in the age range of 18-23:

Female in the age range of 29-33:

Yes; 100%

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4. How do you get your pet(s)?

Male in the age range of 18-23
age range of 18-23
who has a pet before:
has a pet before:

Find on the road; 23%

Buy; 27%

Female in the
who

Find on the road; 33%

Buy; 17%
Get from your friends/relatives; 33%

Adopt; 18%

Others; 17%

Get from your friends/relatives; 32%

Others: 1) Sisters pet

Female in the age range of 29-33
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who has a pet before:

Buy; 100%

5. Why do you choose buy to get your pet(s)?

Male in the age range of 18-23
who bought a pet:

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To get a pet that suit my lifestyle; 100%

Female in the age range of 18-23

who bought a pet:

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To get a pet that suit my lifestyle; 33%

Others; 33%

Pet from pet shop or breeder are absolutely healthy; 33%

Others: 1) The type of pet that I want can only be found in a pet shop.

Female in the age range of 29-33

who bought a pet:

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To get a pet that suit my lifestyle; 100%

6. Why do you choose adopt to get your pet(s)?

Female in the age range of 18-23
who adopted a pet:

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To fight breeding mills; 14%

To give them a shelter; 29%

Can help to stop pet overpopulations; 29%

To rescue a life; 29%

7. Considering the millions of cats and dogs that are euthanized every
year, adoption is
the "easiest and best way to save a life," says Inga Fricke, Director of
Sheltering
Initiatives of the HSUS.
Based on the sentence above, do you agree with his opinion? Why?
Male in the age range of 18-23
who bought a pet:

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Yes; 100%

Reason for writing Yes in their answer:

1) All life is equal.
Male in the age range of 18-23
who get a pet through other ways:

No; 14%

Yes; 86%

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Reasons for writing Yes in their answer:

1) It is the easiest way to solve this problem.
2) We can control breeding mills.
3) We can provide a better shelter for them.
For those who wrote No in their answer, they didnt mention the reason.
Male in the age range of 18-23
who dont have a pet before:

Yes; 100%

Reasons for writing Yes in their answer:

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1) Animals in the shelter need warm home, love and care.

2) We can provide a better shelter for the animals.
Male in age range of 44-48
who dont have a pet before:

Partly agree; 50%

Yes; 50%

Reason for writing Yes in their answer:

1) Because adoption is helping what is already out there. If you buy a pet
it will generate
more and more abandoned pets because it is a commercial activity
based on markets
needs.
Reason for writing Partly agree in their answer:
1) If you are ready yes! If not, better dont!

Female in the age range of 18-23

who bought a pet:
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Yes; 100%

Reasons for writing Yes in their answer:

1) Because they needs our care and love.
2) We can reduce the number of strays.
3) Because abandoned animals will have a chance to live a more
comfortable life.
Female in the age range of 18-23
who adopted a pet:

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Yes; 100%

Reasons for writing Yes in their answer:

1) We can indirectly control the pet population and avoid massive
breeding that cause
euthanization and neglect of animals at the end.
2) We can rescue the pets life.
Female in the age range of 18-23
who get a pet through other ways:

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No opinion; 11%
Partly agree; 11%

Yes; 78%

Reasons for writing Yes in their answer:

1) To avoid euthanization happens on animals.
2) To lower the amount of abandoned pets.
3)To fight breeding mills.
Reasons for for writing Partly agree in their answer:
1) The best way is to do a birth control surgery for them.

Female in the age range of 18-23

who dont have a pet before:

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Yes; 100%

Reasons for writing Yes in their answer:

1) To avoid euthanization happens on animals.
2) We can provide them a warm, comfortable and safe shelter.
3) We can save their life.
Female in the age range of 29-33
who bought a pet:

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Yes; 100%

Reasons for writing Yes in their answer:

1) Because if the conditions is alright, we can provide a proper shelter for
the
abandoned pet.(But have to make sure the stray animals do not carry
virus.)

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8. Do you know these facts about pet stores? Place a tick on the box if
yes.
Breeding mills.
Pets are shipped like merchandise.
Pets suffers on pet store shelves.
Some pet store fails to do all of the following:
Maintain the facilities used for the keeping of pet animals in a
sanitary condition.
Provide proper heating and ventilation* for the facilities used for the
keeping of pet
animals.
Provide adequate nutrition for, and humane care and treatment of, all
pet animals
under his care and control.
Take reasonable care to release for sale, trade, or adoption only those
pet animals
which are free of disease or injuries.
Provide adequate space appropriate to the size, weight and species
of pet animals.
Allowed healthy animals to be exposed to giardia, distemper, upper
respiratory
infections and other infectious diseases.
The amount of facts who known by
who known by
male in the age range of 18-23
range of 18-23

The amount of facts

male in the age

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0; 14%

4~6; 57%

1~3; 29%

who bought a pet:

who get a pet through other ways:

1~3; 100%

The amount of facts who known by

who known by
male in the age range of 18-23
range of 44-48

The amount of facts

male in the age

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4~6; 100%

1~3; 50%

0; 50%

who dont have a pet

before:
who dont have a pet before:
The amount of facts who known by
The amount of facts
who known by
female in the age range of 18-23
female in the
age range of 18-23

4~6; 50%

1~3; 50%

who bought a pet:

who adopted a pet:

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0; 17%

4~6; 50%
1~3; 33%

The amount of facts who known by

who known by
female in the age range of 18-23
age range of 18-23

The amount of facts

female in the

7~9; 13% 0; 13%

4~6; 38%

1~3; 38%

4~6; 33%

1~3; 67%

ways:

who get a pet through other

who dont have a pet before:

The amount of facts who known by

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female in the age range of 29-33

who bought a pet:

4~6; 100%

9. In the future, if you have sufficient conditions, will you buy or adopt
pet? Why?
Male in the age range of 18-23
who bought a pet:

Adopt; 100%

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Reason for writing Adopt in their answer:

1) Because adopt will save life.
Male in the age range of 18-23
who get a pet in other ways:

Either; 17%

Adopt; 50%
No; 33%

Reason for writing Adopt in their answer:

1) Because adopt can save life.
2) We can control pet overpopulation through this method.
3) To avoid euthanization happens on animals.
Reason for writing No in their answer:
1) I have no ability to keep a pet.
2) Some family think it is a burden.

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Reason for writing Either in their answer:

1) Because a lot of pet have a value for human.
Male in the age range of 18-23
who dont have a pet before:

Adopt; 50%

Buy; 50%

Reasons for writing Buy in their answer:

1) Because I cant obtain the type of pet I want from adoption.
Reasons for writing Adopt in their answer:
1) Because can save those animals who need our love.

Male in the age range of 44-48

who dont have a pet before:

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No; 100%

Reason for writing No in their answer:

1) Because it wil cause a lot of inconveniences to my life.
2) I am not the person who really like to have a pet. It is because I dont
have time to
take care of them and also I dont know how to take care of them.
Female in the age range of 18-23
who bought a pet:

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Either; 17%

No; 17%
Adopt; 67%

Reason for writing Adopt in their answer:

1) Because adopt can save life.
2) Adopt is cheaper than buy.
3) Because they deserve more love.
Reason for writing Either in their answer:
1) Because pets are my good listener and best friends.
Female in the age range of 18-23
who adopted a pet:

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Adopt; 100%

Reason for writing Adopt in their answer:

1) Because adopt can save life.
2) Adopt can help to stop pet overpopulation.
3) Because I love them.
4) Bacause a pet can make a home more lively and can become a great
companion.
Female in the age range of 18-23
who get a pet in other ways:

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No; 11%

Buy; 22%

Adopt; 67%

Reasons for writing Buy in their answer:

1) Because some pure species pets only available in pet store.
2) Because I have money.
Reasons for writing Adopt in their answer:
1) Because adopt is cheaper than buy.
2) Because many pets from shelters and rescues are already
housetrained.
3) Because we can save their life and also improve our life.
Reason for writing No in their answer:
1) I am not good in take caring the pets.

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Female in the age range of 18-23

who dont have a pet before:

No; 25%

Adopt; 75%

Reasons for writing Adopt in their answer:

1) Because adopt is cheaper than buy.
2) To fight breeding mills.
3) Because we can save their life.
4) We can provide them a shelter.
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5) The amount of euthanized animals will be reduced.

Reason for writing No in their answer:
1) I am allergic to furry animals.

Conclusion
According to the graph analysis, we concluded that:
1) Pet keeping is more popular among female at age range of 18-23.
2) Female at age range of 29-33 is still interesting in pet keeping.
3) Male adult are not interesting in pet keeping.
4) Buy is still a main way to get a pet in Kuala Lumpur and there are
only 18%
of female in the age range of 18-23 have been adopted a pet.
5) Most people who choose buy to get a pet is because they want to get
a pet that suit
their lifestyle.
6) People who choose adopt to get a pet is not because of it is cheaper
or they want to
get a pet of any range.
7) Most people that participated in our survey agree that adopt is the best
way to save
life.
8) Most of the male that didnt adopt a pet before know little about the pet
stores facts.
9) Averagely female know more about the pet stores facts.
10) Averagely adopt is the most chosen way to get a pet.
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Based on the point we have listed above, the conclusion for the
issue Should We Buy or Adopt Pet? is we should adopt a pet. Even
though nowadays in Malaysia, buy is still a main way to get a pet, but
we can realize that our citizens already think more on adopt rather than
buy. The reason of them to buy a pet could maybe be the pet shelters or
rescues are hardly be found in our country. But we strongly believe that in
the future, adopt will be the main way for our citizens to get a pet.

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on_a_blue_background_084580_.jpg
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https://www.pestell.com/images/pestell-pet-products-img.png
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http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/choosing-dog-part-one-adopt-or-buy
http://www.humanesocietysav.org/adoption/top-5-reasons-to-adopt/
http://www.thatmutt.com/2008/04/01/10-reasons-to-buy-a-dog-from-a-breeder/
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AXJih9YU.jpg
http://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intake-and-surrender/petstatistics

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Survey
Form

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