Adopt, Don’t Shop

Friends of Upland Animal Shelter continues to hold its weekly adoption events supporting California’s decision to ban the retail sale of pets. 

As of Jan. 1, California became the first state to ban the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits from all pet shops with the hope of ending puppy mills and mass-breeders. The only exception will be if the pet comes from a shelter or a rescue organization.

The question is how this new rule will affect shelters. The Friends of Upland Animal Shelter, an Upland-based no-kill shelter, has a high adoption rate. It is also known for rescuing animals from other shelters both locally and globally.

Shelley Foglesong, a volunteer coordinator at Friends of Upland Animal Shelter, who is responsible for educating and training volunteers and putting together adoption events, says that the new law has increased adoption rates at Friends of Upland

These adoption events give the animals a chance to get out of the shelter for a while and allow them to experience fresh air, feel the love from the volunteers and socialize with other animals and humans. Even if animals do not get adopted, the workers and volunteers of the shelter make it a priority to make sure all the animals are as socialized as they can.

Dana Ruiz, a resident in Pomona, California, adopted her two dogs, named Jimmy and Stella. Ruiz is a firm believer in adopting over buying. She is very pleased with the new law in California.

Friends of Upland had a total amount of 1,663 adoptions in 2018 as well as a total of 479 transfers from a variety of other shelters. Although these numbers are very high compared to other shelters, only time will tell whether or not the new law will lead to an even greater number of adoptions and transfers in 2019.