Dogs, cats, and all animals are "not objects" : they must be welcomed with care, respect, and responsibility. On World Puppy Day, OIPA is launching an appeal to raise awareness , encouraging people to always choose informed and responsible adoptions , avoiding purchases—especially online—and reminding people that there are still many animals waiting for homes in shelters.

Careless decisions, driven by a fad or a momentary desire, often turn purchases into future abandonment. This is a phenomenon that knows no crisis and, with peaks during the infamous summer season, shows no signs of ending. "Dogs and cats are living beings and companions," OIPA emphasizes, "certainly not objects to be chosen for their aesthetics or functionality. Not to mention that the purchase of a puppy is all too often made with a simple click , fueling the phenomenon of illegal trafficking at the expense of innocent creatures, treated as mere commodities."

For this reason, the organization emphasizes that adoption is the only ethical choice , but it too must be a responsible decision: taking in an animal means making a concrete commitment for its entire life, and requires awareness, time, and financial resources. "In kennels and shelters throughout Italy," explains Massimo Comparotto, national president of OIPA , "there are thousands of dogs, not just puppies, just waiting to find a loving family to take them in. It's important that the choice of an animal, which will become our lifelong companion, isn't a purchase or sale like any other object. Even more important is to avoid fueling dangerous businesses that hide illegal breeding conditions, irregular transportation, and severe animal suffering."

The Association therefore invites you to always choose adoption, contacting kennels, shelters and local OIPA chapters throughout Italy , reiterating its constant commitment to promoting responsible adoptions and fighting the phenomenon of stray animals.