Back in 2019 when I was with the Lions Club of International organizing the pet adoption campaign, I told my teammate maybe we should not use the tagline 'Adopt, Don't Shop' because some members of the Lions Club are pet shop owners. That decision was made because I was the club President and I needed to manage all members' feelings, ensuring mutual respect among all, especially since we are all volunteers. However, as an individual, I would give my full support to encourage people to pets adoption from shelters or rescue organizations rather than purchasing them from commercial breeders, pet stores, or online sellers because of animal welfare.
Commercial breeding facilities, especially those known as puppy mills, are often criticized for prioritizing profit over the well-being of animals. Adopting from shelters supports organizations that are dedicated to the welfare of animals rather than contributing to businesses that may not prioritize animal health and ethical breeding practices.
OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com
This also aligns with the teaching of Yoga Sutras, being 'Ahimsa' or non-harmful to all beings in this Universe. Millions of animals, including dogs, cats, and other pets, end up in shelters each year. Some of them have been abandoned, neglected, or even mistreated. By adopting from a shelter, you are giving a second chance to a pet that may have experienced hardship, and providing them with a loving and caring home also helps reduce the problem of pet overpopulation.
Shelters often have a diverse range of animals, including various breeds and mixed breeds. Adopting allows individuals to find a pet that matches their lifestyle and preferences, whether that is a specific breed or a unique mix. From my recent experience in the United States, I also learned that there is discrimination against the Pitbull breed, hence many of them are left in the shelter. Good to know that many charities in the United States are helping Pitbull breed to break through the stereotypes by having awareness campaigns.
This is also one of the reasons why I have 'Beans', the name of an adopted Pitbull mixed to be the main ambassador of a charity project to support animal welfare around the world. Thanks to the support from some friends, we kick-started the 'Beans & Cooper' charity project at the end of October 2023 with some print-on-demand merchandise online to fundraise for certified charities from different countries.
The idea was initiated by a random conversation with a friend under the moon, talking about the legendary Jade Rabbit, and we extended it to the story in this video. Having 'Beans' and 'Cooper', two adorable pets who live separately in the West & East become space agents to save the world by helping all animals to be free from suffering.
We have created some print-on-demand merchandise including 'custom pet pillows', bandanas, and more where all profits from the online sales go to supporting certified charities that help animal welfare. Within 2 months, we donated GBP500 (Approximately USD650) to help a rescued dog named 'Lora' from a shelter in Bulgaria, Animal Hope Burgas. 'Lora' had a broken pelvis from a car accident, crushed in many places with impact to her sacrum too. She had to be taken to a specialist vet in Varna and undergo an emergency operation, which needed help with her veterinary bill.
Besides helping the shelters and rescue centers, we also hope to educate more people about pet responsibility where adopting a pet is not just a transaction but a responsibility to care for the animal throughout its life. Of course, it is not just dogs and cats that we care about, but all animals around the world. Therefore, we are also promoting the plant-based diet, which you can understand more by following the social media account on Instagram @beanscooper.savetheworld
