When the world changes the way it loves animals

What started as a slogan for rescue organizations, "Adopt, don't shop," is becoming a popular choice for more and more animal lovers, contributing to a shift in perceptions about responsible pet ownership.

For Millennials and Gen Z, adopting a pet is not just a personal choice but also reflects a lifestyle that values ​​empathy, sustainability, and social responsibility. (Source: Many Dogs at Home)

Originating from the animal rights movement in the US in the 1980s, the slogan "Adopt, don't shop" was initially a call for the community to adopt dogs and cats from rescue shelters instead of buying them from pet stores.

Subsequently, the campaign of the same name by the international animal rights organization Last Chance for Animals (LCA) helped spread the message to many countries, becoming a symbol of a humane and responsible lifestyle towards animals.

The rise of social media continues to help the movement transcend the boundaries of traditional rescue organizations. On Instagram, TikTok, and X, the hashtag #Adoptdontshop appears in millions of posts about rescuing and adopting animals.

For Millennials and Gen Z, adopting a pet is not just a personal choice but also reflects a lifestyle that values ​​empathy, sustainability, and social responsibility.

International perspective and the current situation in Vietnam.

According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2024, more than 200 million dogs and cats were living as strays worldwide, roaming in urban areas, suburbs, and rural regions.

These individuals are largely unvaccinated, lack a stable food source, and frequently face the risk of accidents, disease, or starvation in harsh environments.

Corentin and Mathis, from France, share their views on "Adopt, don't shop" (Photo: Hai Anh)

Corentin, a French tourist, said: “Many people still choose to buy pets because they don’t really understand the meaning of adoption. They just want to own a beautiful pet, not really care about or spend time with them.”

His partner, Mathis, agreed: "Buying and selling animals turns them into commodities, while adoption is a way to give them the chance to be loved."

In Vietnam, the overall picture is equally alarming. Stray dogs and cats are increasingly common in urban areas, largely as a result of irresponsible care and uncontrolled breeding.

Notably, a significant portion of them are also at risk of being captured and trafficked to illegal food sources, making their situation even more precarious.

Give abandoned pets a second chance.

The "Adopt, don't shop" approach is becoming increasingly popular among animal lovers, especially young people in Vietnam. Rescue organizations like CPAPS and Sân Nhà Nhiều Chó in Hanoi , or Saigon Time and Lucky Shelter in the South, are no longer limited to simply receiving and caring for abandoned dogs and cats.

Many places are beginning to develop more structured adoption processes, while also stepping up communication and community engagement to change perceptions about responsible pet ownership.

Among them, the Many Dogs Home is one of the rescue centers that has attracted much attention due to its large scale of operation and its approach focused on spreading the spirit of adoption rather than buying and selling pets.

The center was established in 2021 amidst a growing number of stray dogs and cats, while many surrounding shelters were already overwhelmed. Initially, it was just a small group that volunteered to take in cases where no other places could accommodate them.

"The more we get involved, the more we realize that the needs in the community are far greater than the capacity of a small group of volunteers," shared Trung Thanh, the center's communications manager.

The Many Dogs Home is one of the rescue centers that has attracted much attention due to its large scale of operation and its approach focused on promoting adoption rather than buying and selling pets. (Photo courtesy of the center)

Subsequently, Sân Nhà Nhiều Chó officially began operating as a social enterprise to provide a legal foundation for long-term operation.

After 5 years, the center's scale has changed significantly. From about 50 individuals in a house with a garden, the "Dog House with Many Dogs" now cares for nearly 1,500 dogs and cats in Doai Phuong, Hanoi, after several relocations due to overcrowding.

"The number of rescued animals is always greater than the number of those adopted," said Trung Thanh. According to him, in the period before and after the Lunar New Year in 2026 alone, the center received more than 100 new cases. Last April, the unit also coordinated with the police to receive many more dogs and cats rescued from theft and illegal trafficking.

However, the biggest challenge for the center is not just the increasing number of animals. Ms. Phuong Thuy, the manager at the shelter, said that many dogs and cats are brought in without serious injuries but suffer long-lasting psychological trauma after being abandoned or abused.

"Some puppies are perfectly healthy but suffer from psychological trauma, becoming so afraid of people that they don't dare approach them. These are traumas that Sân Nhà Nhiều Chó (Dog Yard) hasn't been able to completely resolve," she said.

According to the center, it takes many animals months, even years, to gradually regain a sense of security with humans. With a large number of dogs and cats and limited resources, the Many Dogs Home center says what they need is not simply more adopters, but people who are truly willing to commit to a long-term relationship with pets.

Therefore, instead of using overly heavy images or messages, the Center chose a gentler approach in its communication activities. The spirit of "Adopt, don't shop" was incorporated into posts, community engagement activities, and the process of welcoming visitors to the station.

Trung Thanh, communications and project outreach manager at the Many Dogs at the House Rescue Center. (Photo: Khanh Linh)

“What we hope is that the community will gradually view dogs and cats at rescue shelters in a more positive and humane way. When the perspective changes, people will remember the message 'Adopt, don't shop' more naturally, and adoption can spread more sustainably in society,” Trung Thanh confided. Phuong Thuy also emphasized: “Dogs and cats are not objects to be bought and then discarded. They are friends.”

It can be said that, after more than four decades of spreading, "Adopt, don't shop" has transcended the boundaries of a rescue slogan. And as public awareness gradually changes, how people treat vulnerable creatures is no longer a personal matter, but has become a measure of civilization.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/khi-the-gioi-thay-doi-cach-yeu-thuong-dong-vat-401457.html