Why (not) adopt from a shelter? Pro and con facts from the MARS survey

What really matters when you get an animal from a shelter

A survey by MARS Switzerland from August 2025 – conducted on the occasion of World Animal Welfare Day – provides concrete figures on how people in Switzerland think about adopting from shelters. What stands out: background and ethics are top priorities, while breed and cost interest very few people.

The animal’s previous life – for many the most important thing of all

43% of respondents say it is very important to them to know what the animal has experienced so far. Was it in a family? Has it had bad experiences? Are there diseases or behavioural issues that should be known?

This is not distrust of shelters – but simply common sense. Whoever knows what they are getting into can realistically assess whether the animal fits their living situation, daily routine and family. And the shelter can place animals better if interested parties speak openly about their circumstances.

Animal welfare and ethics – not a trend, but a stance

36% rated animal welfare and ethics as “very important” – second place in the ranking. For these people, it is not about getting any pet. It is about giving an animal that needs it a second chance.

Compared to buying from a breeder or privately, adoption has a clear moral advantage – and many people in Switzerland take this seriously. Animal welfare does not start with food or vet visits, but already with the decision of where the animal comes from.

Return option – safety net or back door?

17% rate the option to return an animal in an emergency as very important (mean value 3.2 on the scale). This initially sounds like a lack of commitment – but it often is not. Especially for first-time owners who are unsure whether they can actually cope with daily life with a dog or cat, this knowledge is a real anchor.

Shelters that clearly communicate this option lower the threshold to adoption – and this ultimately benefits the animals.

Breed? For most, a side issue

Only 12% consider the breed to be very important. This aligns with what many report who already have a shelter animal: You go in with an idea, and then fall in love with a completely different type. Character beats breed standard – at least usually.

Costs – important, but not decisive

The majority of respondents do not cite costs as the main criterion. It is more important that the animal is healthy. Financially, adoption is usually cheaper than buying – simply because vaccinations, microchip and often an initial veterinary examination are included in the price.

Adopting from a shelter: What people in Switzerland see as arguments against

Of course, there are also reservations. The MARS survey asked about this too – and some answers are more revealing than the numbers suggest at first glance.

Behavioural problems – the biggest fear, not always the biggest reality

42% fear that the animal might have behavioural problems. This concern is particularly pronounced among 50-year-olds.

It is true that this claim is not pulled out of thin air. Animals that have grown up in stressful situations sometimes need more patience and time to settle in. But ‘sometimes more’ is by no means an automatic rule. Many shelter animals are hardly recognisable after a few weeks in their new environment – affectionate, eager to learn, and balanced. Individual training and good settling-in periods make the difference in most cases.

Background history – more information than problems

Almost 38 % cite the animal’s life story as a deterrent. What lies behind this is often simply uncertainty: What do I not know? What awaits me?

In fact, the opposite is the case: Reputable animal shelters document the behaviour, health status and characteristics of the animals quite precisely – far more than one would expect when buying via a classified ad. Those who ask questions often receive surprisingly detailed information. ‘Background history’ means information – not a warning siren.

Too few young animals?

16 % complain that hardly any young animals are available in shelters. This is true in some regions and at certain times. Nevertheless: Puppies and young animals can also be found in animal shelters – you may sometimes need to wait a little or enquire at several shelters.

And older animals deserve praise here: They are often calmer, house-trained, no longer interested in dismantling the sofa – and for people looking for a more relaxed life together, an older dog or cat can be almost ideal.

Strict rules – annoying or sensible?

11 % find the requirements for adoption to be too strict, 8 % find the entire process too cumbersome.

No two shelters are alike – some shelters do have processes that feel more like a flat application. But the underlying idea is not about making things difficult: It is about ensuring the animal does not come back after three weeks. Those who answer questions openly and ask for clarification if something is unclear will pass through without problems in almost all cases.

At this point, we also recommend our article: Rejections in animal rehoming: Do animal shelters have too high demands?

Diseases – the risk is smaller than you think

11 % fear taking on a sick animal. Understandable – but animal shelters carry out regular health checks, vaccinate and examine the animals before rehoming. The risk of getting a seriously ill animal is therefore significantly lower than in many private sales.

The favourite breed isn’t there – so what?

10 % want a specific breed that they cannot find in the shelter. This is honest and understandable. And yet: Those who let themselves be advised by shelter staff on which dog or cat fits their own life situation characteristically often experience a surprise. Temperament and compatibility matter more in everyday life than pedigree.

What would make adoptions from animal shelters easier

The survey also asked what people wish for to make the step towards a shelter animal easier. The answers are honest – and show where animal shelters, politics and society could intervene.

Simpler processes

Here the figures for the contra-arguments come to light again: The procedures seem complicated to many. A clearly structured, comprehensible process – perhaps with a short explanatory video or a checklist on the animal shelter website – would already make a big difference. The hurdle is often felt to be higher than it actually is.

More visibility for animal shelters and their animals

65 % wish for stronger public communication that shelter animals need a home. 58 % would like animal shelters to become more visible in general.

This is justified – and at the same time a structural problem. Many animal shelters are operating at capacity. Elaborate communication campaigns are hardly feasible without external support. What remains are often Instagram posts and their own website. For those who want to help without taking in an animal themselves: Sharing shelter posts costs nothing.

Financial relief – state-funded and practical

57 % would welcome financial help with medical care in the first year, 48 % state support. Cheaper accessories or food for first-time owners was also mentioned.

The reality in Switzerland: Full subsidies are rare. Individual cantons and municipalities offer dog tax exemptions or subsidised vaccination campaigns – but this is the exception. The main financial responsibility remains with the owners. Those who adopt should factor this in from the start.

Introduction and support during the initial period

58 % would appreciate it if animal shelters offered a thorough introduction to the keeping and care of the respective animal. The wish is understandable.

However: Most animal shelters are at capacity in terms of staff. Individual training sessions are more the exception than the rule – basic information is provided, but a multi-hour onboarding process is rarely feasible. Here, books, online courses or dog trainers in the region who specialise in shelter animals can step in.

In the end, the responsibility lies with the owners

The survey paints a nuanced picture: Many people want to adopt – but are held back by prejudices, uncertainties or procedures perceived as bureaucratic. At the same time, the wishes for improvements are concrete and solvable, at least in part.

What must not be forgotten here: Even the ideal animal shelter, the perfect process and state subsidies do not change the fact that the responsibility for the welfare and development of the animal lies largely with the owners themselves.

An animal – whether from an animal shelter or a breeder – is not a finished product. It takes time, patience, sometimes training, repeated attention and yes, also money. Anyone who knows this from the start and still says yes does the animal a good turn. And probably themselves too.

Further links and sources

• Conduct, processing and provision of the survey sheets: Triple M Matzka Market and Opinion Research. Web: www.triple-m-mafo.at
• MARS Switzerland press release with option to download the complete survey