Hello everyone! Something I would like to address that has been on my mind as of late is the difference between adoption and sales, and what it means to adopt a pet vs to buy a pet.
Lets start with dictionary definitions!
Adoption - To become the owner or caretaker of (a pet, especially one from a shelter).
Selling - Give or hand over (something) in exchange for money.
When my ratties leave my home, I would refer to this process as adoption as I am handing over responsibility for my pet to a new home. Indeed an adoption fee is charged for this pet, and many feel as though this constitutes a "sale". Due to the fact that my pets are not "things" or "items", I do not like to refer to any of my adoptions as a strict "sale" of my pet. These ratties are not "things to sell" to me, they are indeed my own pets, and I am not looking to make money off of my pets, I am looking to find them happy homes, homes where adopters can benefit from having a well bred rattie!
Many have said to me that the term "adoption" only applies to when one takes home a pet free of any cost. They often reference shelter pets as an example of true "adoption", however shelters ALWAYS charge adoption fees for their pets.
Overall, I do recognize that some may want me to discard the word "adoption" as my pets have adoption fees, and are intentionally bred to be adopted out (or "sold") as some would say. Personally, because these rats are my pets, my little loves, and because every adoption fee will go right back into their care, I will continue to use the word "adoption" when my babies go to new homes. My rats are not items to be sold, they are little friends looking to bring joy to new homes.
Thank you for your time, give all of your ratties some kisses for me! <3 sending love!
