Maybe it’s just me. I am scrolling thru my social media feeds and then, I see the post. A friend who just got a new dog or a new cat. At first, I get excited thinking about visiting the new addition, and wonder what they will name him or her. Then, I wonder what shelter or rescue that they adopted from. I mean, I don’t even think that they may have bought him.
It is always in the back of my mind, the hope that they indeed went to a rescue or a shelter to pick out their new family member. They know the stats right? I am pretty sure that they do, since I share articles and posts about adopting all of the time and the need to do so. They surely know that over a million animals were killed in United States shelters last year. I want to ask directly if they adopted, but feel it is rude to do so. And that would be crazy. Crazy, I tell myself. So I just wait for someone else to do it.
Then, I get my answer and I am hit right in the stomach. They bought him? They bought him? Maybe it was a pet store, maybe a breeder. And I am devastated. It hurts. And I am going to admit it. It hurts bad. I want to ignore it, I want to be happy for them and the dog. After all, it isn’t the dog’s fault, is it? And I tell myself that. But somehow, I feel disrespected. It is like everything that I stand for is invalidated.
I spent seven years traveling the United States and I visited 48 shelters and rescues. I saw firsthand the plight of homeless animals, and the blatant disregard from humans for them. But I also saw the good people making a difference for these animals. And I know more than ever that every life matters. Also, every choice that we make matters. Yes, even those choices of my friends and family that I love so much. Do I want to hit “like” on that post when I see your beautiful pet? You bet I do. Yet, I feel that if I do so, it will speak volumes.
So, when I see your post on social media that you bought an animal, or that you bred an animal, it will hurt me. Will I still consider myself your friend? I will, but it will be different between us. And that is the honest truth. The more we ignore the problems facing animals in our country, the more those problems become bigger problems. I cannot understand, and never will, how people can put their own desires ahead of what is right. I have heard it all.
“I like a specific breed.”
“Rescue animals are damaged”.
“The rescue wants to make a home visit. I don’t have time for that.”
Does rescuing an animal take more time than buying from a breeder? It does. You have to go to a shelter, or research a rescue. Oftentimes, you may have to wait to see an animal, or pay an adoption fee. You may not find your pet soulmate immediately. You may adopt an animal with a little baggage and have to be more patient, or they may require more training. Even though I realize all of this, I also realize that I alone can’t change everything. But I sure changed everything for my rescue dogs, Brickle and Digby and Fruitycake.. And you can change everything for an animal out there waiting for you.
The realist in me realizes that not “liking” a post on social media does nothing. I also realize that everyone has a right to their opinions and feelings. But my feelings are hurt. And I admit it.
-Rachael Johnson (Girl Person) 2 Traveling Dogs
Catch our daily dog blog at www.2travelingdogs.com
All views expressed are my own
We are only two persons and one dog trying to make a difference in the way animal rescue is perceived. We want the world to see how much each animal’s life is worth. And we want the world to see how much the people who do the work in shelters and rescues are worth.
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I get/understand the sentiment behind the “adopt-don’t-shop” idea, but it’s just not realistic for everyone. For non-industrial farmers, especially those who have animals, having the right kind of breed matters. I don’t know if there are shelters that are specific to Great Pyrnese, Australian shepherds, border collies and other such dog breeds, but it’s much more sensible for us to get them from people who RAISE those specific breeds. A random mutt from the pound who kills chickens and/or harasses cows is just going to be a problem. Sure, I imagine that they COULD be trained, but the dogs I mentioned above are specifically BRED to be farm dogs.
Pingback: Why It Hurts Me When A Friend Buys A Pet – 2 Traveling Dogs – Teacup Yorkie – Yorkshire Terrier – Yorkie
Be warned this is going to be a very long post.
I currently have two dogs that were rescues, and I love them both to pieces. I would never get rid of either one of them, but they both came with health or behavioral issues that took years to fully get rid of.
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Dog 1: Ollivander, Shih Tzu
I got Ollivander 11 years ago from a Southern small town humane society, so to say the application was easy is an understatement. I basically gave them $120 and took the 1 year old Ollivander home. Which was good for me because I fell in love at first site, even though he was shaved from tail to nose. Apparently his prior owners let him get so matted they basically had to shave him down to the skin. My cousin and my grandmother that came with me kept asking me if I was sure I wanted that dog, we could go to the breeder the next town over. It was too late though, I already wanted this little shaved dog, so I took him home. I loved Ollivander then, and I love him now, he’s 12 years old and still with me, but he had some serious behavioral issues.
Apparently his previous owners kicked him, because he was terrified of feet. He could be laying on the end of the couch and if you brushed him with your feet, he was start yelping and take off running. My cousin made a kicking motion one time towards his shoes when Ollivander was sitting next to them. He started yelling, jumped up in my lap and peed on me. It took him 2–3 years to get over this type of behavior.
He must have also been hit, because for the first 6 months I had him If you reached down to pet him he’d hit floor shaking. Luckily he got out of that pretty quickly.
He’s other dog aggressive. He can bond with other dogs, but it takes a long time and a lot of effort. He’s never actually bitten another dog, but he used to go crazy barking, lunging and growling. He’s gotten better as the years have gone by but he’s still not great around new dogs.
He’s terrified of rain and thunder. It might be just a natural thing for him, but it wouldn’t surprise me if his previous owners had left him out in a thunderstorm. He used to panic to the point of shaking, hyperventilating and drooling all down his face when rained. Again, he’s gotten better, so now he starts only starts shaking when it’s thundering really badly, but it took about 4 years to get to that point.
He’s food shy (not sure if that’s the correct term or not). He used to be extremely food shy, as in, you walked into the room where he was eating and he’d immediately stop and run out. Then he wouldn’t eat again for at least the rest of the day, sometimes until he started throwing up bile. At which point I’d have to start trying to feed him his food one piece at a time until he finally went back to eating. He was extremely thin (as in clearly feeling ribs and backbone) when I got him, and this issue lasted for several years. I took him to the vet about it, but was told this issue is mental not physical. After several years, he gradually got better. He still doesn’t like you standing too close, but he will eat while you’re in the same room now, doesn’t starve himself until he gets sick and you can no longer feel his backbone. Again, to get to this point took several years.
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Dog 2: Kenobi, Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix
After I had Ollivander for about 6 years, I got my second rescue. I ended up with Kenobi when my neighbors across the street skipped out on their rent. I was talking to the landlord, he said he came over because they hadn’t paid their rent, their furniture/items were gone and they left 5 year old (they called him Fluffy but I wouldn’t keep that name) Kenobi tied up in the backyard. In Florida. Without water. Going into summer. I could have shot those people. Landlord said he was going to take him to the pound and I said I’d take him, so I got Kenobi. It took about two weeks, but after that Kenobi and Ollivander were best buds and still are to this day. The only reason it didn’t take longer is because I’d already had Ollivander for 6 years, so he’d gotten better. Again I love him to death, and I still have him 6 years later at age 11, but he had both behavioral and health issues.
He was severely flea infested. The first thing I did was push a capstar pill down his throat and then get him in the bath. I was going to use a flea shampoo until I noticed he had a huge, cracked scab across his back from all the fleas and scratching. It went from the base of his tail to almost his mid back and was about 5 inches wide. He had two more smaller ones on his front paws. I opted for bathing him in dawn dish detergent to kill the fleas because I didn’t want to put the harsh flea shampoo on his scabs. He had to wear a cone for about a month before the scabs completely went away.
About a month after I got him, Kenobi started peeing blood. He had really bad bladder stones and needed surgery for them. While there were doing the surgery, the discovered that he wasn’t neutered like I thought, but had un-descended testicles, which they were luckily able to remove at the same time.
He had horrible teeth and needed an immediate teeth cleaning and several tooth pulled after I got him.
He has severe separation anxiety. He starts barking and howling immediately after I leave and doesn’t stop for hours. I have to kennel him whenever I leave the house, even if it’s just to walk down the street and back. If I don’t he not only howls and barks but starts peeing on things in the house. This still happens 6 years later.
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I love my dogs, and I’ll have them until the day they die. They’re my snuggle bunnies and I have no regrets about getting them.
The next dog I get though, will be a puppy from a reputable breeder. That way I know there will be no heath, genetic or preexisting behavioral issues. I love my dogs, and it was rewarding to see them open up, but it was a lot of work, time and money and I don’t want to do it again. At least not immediately. That is why I’m going to buy a dog and I really don’t care how much it hurts you or anyone else. I won’t be ashamed of it.
Plus, any rescue application that wants me to do a credit report, have a home visit or fill out references other than my vet, automatically gets thrown in the trash. Which will make it harder for me to get one from a rescue/humane society now than it was over a decade ago. Not the main reason I’m going to buy, but it is a part of it. I find those things incredibly intrusive and makes me dislike the rescue on principle.
Last thing: You are buying a dog either way for the most part. If money is exchanged for the dog, you purchased it. They call it adopting to make it sound better.
No, you are not “buying” the dog, you are supporting the rescue who has provided medical care and food, etc for the animal someone else discarded. Also, it’s a NON-PROFIT, not someone breeding dogs as their source of income. And finally, the rescue dogs with genetic health issues have nothing to do with the rescue, they were poorly bred to which is a huge part of the problem, just like your faulty logic.
The dog rescue is a toxic environment and I worked at a shelter
Are you kidding me?! How many dog rescue don’t bother to even properly take care of the dogs they adopt out? Many send unsocialized dogs from foreign poor countries, with foreign diseases. They are almost immediately adopted out with little or no health care?!
How many rescues over charge for designer puppy mill dogs adopted from puppy mills, mainly Amish dog auctions?! Why would anyone buy a designer dog from a rescue when you can find a reputable breeder with a well bred dog?
My all time favorite, are rescues that only take puppies from high kill animal shelters and leave the mom to die. Rescues take most of the adoptable dogs from shelters, leaving undesirable breeds like pitbull mixes nobody wants because pitbull actually maul people quite frequently. I worked at a animal shelter and many pots were euthanized after turning on their owner.
I love how the more popular the breed the more rescues charge for the dog . Let’s not forget the nightmare of trying to adopt from crazy nutter dog rescues. Adopting a child is easier.
Why would I want to put myself through that process? I can buy a dog from a reputable breeder, with no health issues, no foreign diseases, no socialization issues, no headache of a adoption process and get a dog that doesn’t suffer from a million behavioral issues?!
Thank God I am a cat person. My last adoption was easy and I own a Bengal mix. I also get a majority of my felines from a local breeder. I get a well socialized and beautiful savannah cat without the hassle I mentioned from above.
Rescues are worse than breeders.. Many people in dog rescue especially are insane, thrive intoxicated environments, and have no communication skills and are just rude and annoying.
Please don’t think that dogs from “reputable breeders” are perfect. I have friends who are having major behavior issues with their “pure” bread doodles, boxers, Rhodesian ridgebacks. It’s not only shelter pets. I have had a Rottweiler from a reputable breeder with AKC papers that was full of behavior issues such as guarding possessions food. I will always choose to save a life over buying from a fucking money hungry greeder!!!
Just because a dog has papers doesn’t mean it’s from a reputable breeder. That’s like the bare minimum.
You are totally nuts. People like you are what’s wrong with the world. Be mad at the people who give their dogs up. Be mad at the people who don’t neuter or spay. It’s non of your dang business what I do with my home and my money.
While I understand that you want people to rescue animals at times the cost to either rescue or buy is beyond what people can afford. We have bought and we have rescued for almost 30 years. First the application fee, then the adoption fee, then the transport fee. It’s all too much! My pets are healthy and happy and we were looking to rescue another. I would rather wait to find one on the street, take him to the vet, then take him home.
Real mature calling someone a bitch for not agreeing with you. I have four rescues. How many do you have? I worked at a shelter in a ghetto area. When your AR groups actually open up spay and neuter clinics in poor neighborhoods, and actually help animals, than I would be more supportive.
That this article is pinned on a “I Hate Breeders” page. In which breeder dying is laughed at. So it is okay to laughing at the death of someone just because they breed?! Ignoring that there are bad rescues, bad shelters, and bad rescue people is beyond ignorant. Nobody seems to give a shit the abuse happening in these places. Or what about adopting out aggressive animals to people with children!
Bad rescues?! There was a video of a nearby rescue shop in which a employee hit a dog. Also, this rescue adopted out aggressive dogs! What about the pig rescue in which thousands of bodies of pigs were found? The drug addict that allowed pitbulls to die in their own crates and decay in them?! What about the rescues buying at dog auctions?! That is all okay?! But God forbid you breed or buy from a breeder. God forbid I get exactly what I want.. You know, a well socialized animal, beautiful to look at?!
You can call me a bitch when you hold down animals to be killed day after day. Watch as AR groups do nothing to help the overwhelming poverty and suffering in low income areas, while they spend millions on stupid shit. You deal with burned out employees that laugh at abuse and participate in it. You enjoy PTSD.. Who are you to deny me what brings me happiness? Or tell me how to obtain my pets!? All this makes you is judgemental hypocrite.
Less time protesting to assuage your transparent conscience, more time volunteering, shelter system/rescue movement. Besides the education, you’ll feel better and be part of the solution.
You are crazy.
I adopted my Samoyed through his breeder when he was returned. His 1st family had lost their home and had a very sick child and couldn’t keep him. I was able to adopt him at 2 years old directly from the breeder. She has an agreement with her clients that if they must re-home the dog they must return the dog to her and she finds a suitable home. Not one of her dogs will ever end up in a shelter. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with buying a dog from a good breeder as they have systems in place to support the dogs they create for life. My dog’s breeder was a wonderful support for any health, coat or behavior issues that came for the duration of his 13 years of life. Some people are looking for certain qualities in the dog they add to their family. Sometimes home owners associations or insurances do not allow dogs mixed with certain breeds. Some people, like me, have bad allergies and can only tolerate certain breeds. I will also say that I tried to adopt a dog from a shelter for over a year that would be compatible with my allergies and each time that dog had dozens of applicants. The dogs I could adopt got adopted. I’m honestly really sad and disgusted that someone would judge me for how I choose to add dogs to my family without knowing anything about me. I proudly purchased my two dogs. I also proudly donate to my local shelter.
All good with your breeder being responsible and all of that, but….for her say 8 puppies in a litter at that one time ..that leaves 8 dogs left in shelter ..its not hard to do the maths , every breeder , ok just the good ones …how many puppies do they churn out collectively in a year ? lets guess , say a conservative 1000 ..there , thats another 1000 dogs in shelters still there because you chose the alternative , or those 1000 dogs will die because more keep coming in , by the hour … that is my reasoning
Thank you for this article! Judgemental, holler than thou people like you is why I usually buy from a breeder. I just got a adorable savannah cat a few months ago. In another two months I am getting a dark colored savannah. Let me know if you want pics!!!
Why don’t you yell at the shelters who import animals from other countries to make it LOOK like we have a homeless pet problem in the states? Good breeders do not cause the problems of pets who are surrendered to shelters! It’s the bad breeders and irresponsible owners who do not educate themselves and buy just whatever they think is ‘cute’.
I bought my dog from a good breeder. I’m happy with her and I love her. If you don’t, or it makes you so angry because she wasn’t rescued from the shelter, then that is a YOU problem! That’s not on us. I might suggest getting some therapy ASAP.
I agree wholeheartedly. I’m a volunteer transporter for rescues and I carry lots of pedigree dogs. Lately more and more pug / Frenchies. They can hardly breathe and its heartbreaking. And don’t get me on about the poodle crosses flooding the market at the moment. These ‘designer’ dogs nearly all have health problems. And breeds today resemble nothing of their forefathers. Crazy. I’ve rescued lots of dogs over the years as did my parents before me. My five now lived dreadful lives on the streets. How could I overlook them to buy from a breeder? Until shelters are empty breeding should be stopped or at the very least more strictly regulated. And I don’t care what my dog looks like. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I respect your opinion.
I have worked with at risk foster care children for over 10 years. I often wonder What if we made that suggestion to parents who try so hard to have children, that they should adopt instead?
I think it’s a personal choice and we make choices best on what works for us, our lifestyle, our health issues, pleasure, etc. To assume the person who chose an specific breed or breeder places unnecessary bias and judgement. Don’t let other’s decisions affect your emotional wellbeing, their decision is not personal to anyone. As long as we love & care for pets, children & one another. We can all respect n support each other’s decisions.
bravo!
Rachel, I’m sorry that there are so many people who feel the need to leave nasty comments on your site.
I am with you on this topic of rescue vs breeders. As I was reading your words, I felt it could have been me writing them. Sadly, some of these comments above show the ugliness of the online world…people who feel they can write whatever hurtful, self entitled stuff they want without any consequence, because they will never meet you face to face. They can hide their nastiness behind a computer or smart phone as they type away in anonymity.
I adopted my beautiful Saluki/Shepherd 8 years ago, rescued from Taiwan (when he was 3),and as a human who has always adopted from shelters, no matter what the animal ( hamsters, cats, dogs)… every animal that has entered my life has enriched me with so much love and happiness.
Why people feel compelled to write aggressive comments, is beyond me. Maybe something within them is being triggered? They lash out because they don’t like to face a truth?
So much time spent on being mean, when we could all be building each other up and acting from a place of kindness and peace. The world definitely needs more kindness and empathy….
Just my two cents.
Maybe because we are tired of having adopt only shoved down our throats. How you obtain your pets is not your business. If someone wants to buy a pet, with their money, they earn.. That is their business. Rescues have just as much abuse and neglect as breeders. Or did you not read how some employee at a adopt shop throw a dog against the wall. Or the horrible conditions of Puppy Mill Rescue. There are plenty of rescues that buy from dog auctions!!!
My husband’s cat just died, and I bought him a cat from a breeder. She is beautiful, well socialized, and is a great addition to our household. I also have rescues. But what does it matter?! What matters is we give our pets a good life.
SKZTil
Firstly, thank you for your work in rescue. I understand how your life circumstances led you to rescue. My family’s first dog was from a backyard breeder back in the 80’s before “adopt don’t shop” was even a thing. And now I’ve been volunteering/fostering with shelters and rescues for almost 20 years. However, just because some people start with a purchased dog, that doesn’t mean it will lead them to rescue. And just because someone starts out with a challenging rescue dog doesn’t mean they’ll give up on rescue for their next dog. It’s simply better to start someone out by rescuing in the first place.
There are too many irresponsible breeders and way too many dogs in need of permanent homes, period.
Well bred dogs DO end up in shelters and rescues. Dogs don’t just end up in shelters because of bad behavior due to poor breeding. There’s an influx of Siberian Huskies in Southern California shelters right now. Do you think people are buying them to pull sleds? Obviously, not. The MAJORITY of purebred dogs are NOT used as working dogs. Siberian Huskies are an intelligent, mischievous and high energy breed. They are being given up for those very reasons. People are buying them and don’t fully understand how much training, exercise and high fencing they need until they’re adults exhibiting the behavior they were bred to have. Also, some breeds aren’t working dogs. A small mixed breed from a shelter can be as good as or better a companion dog than a Shih Tzu.
Let’s also not forget that dogs are still individuals. I worked with a dog savvy person who spent thousands of dollars on a Golden Retriever from a reputable breeder. He ended up being very untrustworthy with people and dog aggressive. His behavior wasn’t due to upbringing and none of the breeder’s other dogs had ever displayed any type of aggression towards people. And that is just one example.
I understand if someone needs a purebred as a working dog or even an elite show dog to keep that breed in existence. But if someone is buying a purebred just for looks or personality (which isn’t a guarantee), I’d rather they not get a dog at all. Because these are the majority of people buying dogs. They generally don’t care to find a responsible breeder which means they also aren’t doing enough breed research, aren’t properly caring for the dog and aren’t providing adequate training for the dog. This majority doesn’t care about rescue and their experiences won’t lead them there.
“Adopt don’t shop” is a great way to help spread the word about the importance of rescue. The popularity of the adopt don’t shop mantra does more good than harm.
There will never be a world without dogs just because of rescues promoting adoption and spay/neuter. That is a gross exaggeration and saying it is irresponsible.
P.S. You should be ashamed for talking about mixed breeds and rescue dogs like they’re ill behaved rejects that are inferior to well bred purebreds. And you don’t need a well bred dog to be successful at rescue. In fact, you don’t need any dog at all to successfully rehab or raise a rescue dog.
Just adopted a ten year old from a rescue. Urgent plea on facebook
You are totally nuts. People like you are what’s wrong with the world. Be mad at the people who give their dogs up. Be mad at the people who don’t neuter or spay. It’s non of your dang business what I do with my home and my money.
Your friends are not responsible for your feelings about their personal choices. Get therapy to learn about boundaries.
R.C.
Obviously, you don’t care about animals, but some people do. It’s about doing the right thing. Go volunteer at a shelter for a few weeks. I’m sure you’ll change your mind…unless you have no soul.
Well considering people are not truly rescuing there dog. I’m sure you didn’t save your dog from drowning in a river. And in most cases rescues charge more than breeders
Wholeheartedly disagree with your comment. It’s perfectly okay to state how you feel with other people’s actions.
Mike – I rescued my dogs from being euthanized, so there isn’t much of a difference.Most legitimate breeders sell dogs for more than rescue adoption fees. And I’m not sure why it’s a problem if rescues charge more than breeders. They don’t charge for profit. It’s to cover the costs of caring for the animals. You pretty much don’t know what you’re talking about, so just shhhhhhhh.
It hurts me when friends emotionally buy from shelters and rescues with no thought to whether the breed(s) is suitable for their lifestyle, and knowing nothing about the dog’s temperament and background. Sadly many get recycled through the rescue system because the rescue-only mentality is stronger than the wisdom to research and buy responsibly (whether from a rescue/shelter or a breeder). Adopting IS shopping, except that adopt shopping is often done with very little thought about the long term.
R.C.
Obviously, you don’t care about animals, but some people do. It’s about doing the right thing. Go volunteer at a shelter for a few weeks. I’m sure you’ll change your mind…unless you have no soul.
amylamb89
Irresponsible ownership is a problem. However, adopting is NOT shopping. Do you think that adding new dogs to the system instead of some being recycled through is better? Rescues screen applicants, do home checks and require contracts. They select the right owner for each and every dog. And if things don’t work out, the adopter is required to return the dog to the rescue. The majority of backyard breeders don’t do any of these things.
Amylamb89
You don’t think that people buy purebreds from breeders based on emotion? I know many people who buy a dog from a breeder that is totally unsuitable for them, and they’re buying them “because they’re cute” (100% emotion). I run a dog rescue, and I make sure that every one of my adopters are not adopting based solely on emotion, they know everything about the temperament of the dog, and we jointly make sure that this dog fits their lifestyle.
Found my puppy on Craigslist before the ad was taken down. 75$ and no prying into my life. That’s the way I like it. Just because I want to adopt an animal doesn’t mean I should have to pay an arm and a leg to be interrogated about my past and future endeavors. My dog has an amazing home and life, she’s happy, and vetted and extremely loved. Free reign of our yard, (without a fence-God forbid)
Shelters and rescues own the pets they take in, it’s their prerogative who they “sell” them too. But my guess is that if they quit trying to play dictator, and use common sense in finding these animals homes then they will place a lot more animals needing homes.
I’ll just keep rescuing mine by other means. —loving animal owner.
There are national databases that will direct you to a dog that will fit the “profile” you’re looking for. It’s impossible that throughout the entire United States there wasn’t one shelter dog that fit what you were looking for.
It just takes a little more time and effort. Also, maybe a plane ride or a drive to get your dog–all of which will probably cost the same as (or less than!) buying a purebred dog from a breeder, but with the satisfaction that you’ll be saving a life.
YES!!! This is me, too! I just can’t understand people who don’t rescue.
It does hurt. Everytime I see a puppy I think of the dogs just waiting for a home. Some not ever getting a home.
I tried to adopt dogs. I wanted a small, active dog under a year old. I train and compete in agility and I was looking for a dog that needed training and needed a job.
But… I work full time out of the house. I was not approved for this kind of dog. I was offered older dogs who were less active.
I’m sure those dogs they offered were lovely. But they were not what I was looking for at all. I know what I want in a dog just as much as rescues know what they want as a placement. There was no match.
So I have 3 lovely shelties from a breeder who took the time to listen to me, and chose dogs that would suit me. They are all active, happy, and well cared for. If anything ever happens to me, they will be welcomed back at the breeder. It’s in the contract that they go back to her. That’s what good breeders do.
I’ve been volunteering in rescue and at a high intake shelter for over 12 years and I’m sorry but your account just doesn’t ring true. In fact young dogs around 1 year old frequently come into the shelter for exactly the characteristics you seemed to be desiring- energy, youthful exuberance and a need of training or a job. These dog were generally adopted as puppies and now at 7-11 months the adopter decided they’re too much trouble. Also most rescues I know would be delighted with an adopter who works from home vs one that’s away for 10 hours a day. I have to say, respectfully, the fact that you chose 3 purebred shelties (yes we don’t get them often at the shelter) tells me you probably had your heart set on that breed of dog, not that you couldn’t find a mixed breed or other breed equivalent. A friend of mine is a trainer and a shelter/rescue volunteer and competes in agility with her dogs. She found 3 including a purebred that she loves and has won medals with. She just took her time and waited for the right ones. But adopting was paramount to her and clearly it’s low on the list for you (c’mon on you know it’s true).
She said she works full time OUT of the house.
Let me start by saying I have 2 dogs breed specific and one shelter baby. All three were selected for our home and what we wanted. I enjoy training puppies because I can get them to behave in our home from the beginning. Our shelter one just showed up on a local shelters website and since it said high energy and lives other dogs- we went to see if he’d fit our family. His first year was stained as it seemed this had been his second turn in to the shelter. However as we worked with him and our GSD he’s an active gentle soul.
I will not apologize for my decisions. They are family members of my family.
I understand their are many shelter animals that are amazing- however; many do want a specific breed and know that comes along with that breed.
You are told over and over to do your research and make sure your able to handle the characteristics of specific dogs. If you do a good job with that you don’t have to worry about someday being one of those people who bought a puppy and couldn’t deal with the behavior of the dog and thus placing that poor creature in a shelter
I couldn’t care less if it hurts your feelings. You’re not part of my family and my family members will stay my family members until the day they go over that rainbow bridge.
I kindly request you to speak your mind out after learning the correct spellings of THEY ARE and YOU ARE next time, smh
I have a friend that is a trainer with two rescue dogs that are trained and go everywhere with her. That was her solution. Could work for you if you want it too.
Picking a dog from a rescue ad across the nation from you is buying on looks alone. Sometimes even less than that. I’m not sure how the breed(s) are picked in the petfinder, etc descriptions. Then that breed(s), that it obviously isn’t, is used to describe expected behaviors. A Newfoundland that weighs 25 pounds. A Scottie that weighs 100 pounds. A Chihuahua mix is labeled a Giant Schnauzer.
For *my* needs I must have a dog that is calm in the house, yet one that is ready to go when I am. It must be over a certain size. It must be intelligent AND easy to train (not the same thing). Not brachiocephalic, not extreme in anything. Not a dog that needs to be touching all the time yet is always aware of me. Coat length is irrelevant. I found a *breed* that ticks all my boxes without any exaggeration.
I found my match. Some dogs obviously not of this breed are listed on petfinders with the behavior profile of my breed. No, no, no. That does NOT help.
I have a sheltie too. I love her to the moon and back!
So…… then it stands to reason that humans should adopt human babies as well? There are millions of abused children in foster care, should you get outraged when a woman gets pregnant and has her own child?
That isn’t even REMOTELY the same thing. If a woman wants to have her own child or if she wants to adopt.. that is HER CHOICE… after all, it is HER BODY! If a person wants a pure bred dog instead of a rescue dog, then what right does s/he have to FORCE ANOTHER BEING to get pregnant, have 6-12 babies, care for them for 8 weeks and then have them taken away just so that person can have ONE? Let’s turn the tables, shall We? Pretend you have good genes. Your neighbor sends a man (also with good genes) to your house where he rapes you. You end up with 6 babies that you care for for a couple years and then they are sold on the black market. How would you feel?
Omg. You are so extreme. The CDC reported one million dogs were imported to the US last year. Shelters in the North sell them. It’s a huge business. If you pay money at a shelter or rescue, you bought the dog. I prefer a health tested well bred purebred. Your emotion virtue signaling is offensive to me.
I could so identify with these feelings. I would be too afraid to even share this due to the backlash I would get. I live in a neighborhood where all the various designer doodle combinations are the big thing. It especially hits hard when someone I’m friends with buys a dog from a breeder. I try to tell myself it’s none of my business and to be happy for their choice, but it’s hard when I know how many wonderful animals are losing their lives every day simply due to lack of space.
Rescues and shelters spay and neuter every dog or cat they place. Every. Single. One. Depending on the size and breed, a dog may safely produce puppies for about the first 4-6 years of its life. So if breeders were eliminated today by lack of support or legislation, you might very well see empty or closed shelters within 5-8 years. Woohoo. Ready to celebrate? Unfortunately, it would be largely due to the fact that our beautiful, devoted companion, the domesticated dog, would be well on its way to extinction at that point. One generation and out. Think about it. Breeding won’t be eliminated in one day. okay, I get it. But is a slow extinction any better? Responsible breeders are not the problem. Irresponsible owners are. Buy a dog. Adopt a dog. Rescue a dog. Whatever. More importantly, KEEP your dog and keep it safe for its whole life. I won’t celebrate the emptying/closing of shelters and rescues if it means the extinction of dogs by vilifying breeders.
Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to say backyard breeders are the issue? There is very little legislation regulating breeders yet you get mad at the small percentage of owners that lose their dogs? Obviously you bought your pets if you have any at all. Some breeders are responsible limiting dogs at 2 litters then retiring them and allowing the dog to be adopted or to live out their days well but those are not the norm.
There are certain breeds that are in declining numbers so sure, partner with responsible breeders but how about German Shepherds? My rescue had 8 litters of pure sheps dumped on our doorstep this year alone. What about pittie or bully breeders? Bullies are the #1 dog to be euthanized and I seriously doubt we need more bred right now. Great Pyrenees? Over 2 dozen exclusive Pyr rescues and they are ALL full but you’re right, let’s blame the owners. Idiot.
Gabi- you missed out on the analytical gene evidently. In your example, you compare two different things and want the answer to be the same to validate your argument. The correct correlation would be: should you be outraged if a woman ( man, woman or couple) bought their child from a surrogate ( who continually has babies to sell) instead of adopting? And, yes, I would expect most people, at least those who are responsible and compassionate, to be outraged.
I have worked in veterinarian clinics for my entire adult life. I did rescue and ran my own licensed rescue group for over six years. I have transported numerous animals across state lines, spent countless hours at adoptions, working with animals who needed rehab, and spent thousands of my own dollars. I own two rescue dogs. Every animal I have had has been a rescue.
When people come in asking about certain breeds, I always refer them to petfinder or breed specific rescues and remind them that purebred dogs and puppies are often placed in rescue.
When they choose to buy a pet instead, do I judge them? No. Am I hurt by them? No. All I want, is for that animal to be loved. And lets be honest. Breeders will breed as long as it’s legal. If it isn’t that good person buying that puppy or kitten, someone else will, and they’ll end up dead or in a shelter anyway.
I am happy when ANY animal gets a loving home.
It sounds to me like you are hurt because people don’t believe the same things that you do. That your friends don’t consider you the ultimate authority on which pet they should choose.
You should also realize that the majority of animals euthanized in shelters these days are feral cats, aggressive and sick dogs and injured dogs brought in by good samaritans.
Your efforts would be better spent on educating your friends on how to be responsible dog owners. It is not up to you or anyone else to decide what the best pet for a particular person is. You can guide and educate, but you cannot control. I will always prefer a well bred, purebred dog from a responsible breeder because it gives us a much better chance of enjoying our 15 years together. I know what I can and cannot handle in a dog and pure breeds let me choose more wisely. (by the way, if there weren’t purebred dog breeders, there would be no purebred dog rescues)
You might also want to work on stronger enforcement of current dog laws and perhaps some new ones. The “stray dog” problem (which is only a tiny fraction of what it was only 30 years ago, much less 50 years ago) is not a dog problem-it is an irresponsible owner problem.
I hope you only adopt kids and don’t have any of your own because I believe that there far too many people in the world already and far too many homeless children.
Not true. I live in the south and they euthanize 1 or 2 year old healthy, friendly dogs all of the time. Shelters in the south are overflowing with animals. Please check out stats from Memphis Animal Services and other shelters in my home state of Tennessee.
too many Bonnies in the world unfortunately
“”(by the way, if there weren’t purebred dog breeders, there would be no purebred dog rescues)””.
I’d be more than ok with that.
Bonnie….I believe your intentions aren’t bad…but you honestly have NO idea what you are talking about when it comes to euthanization in our country. The facts are the facts and you have misguided ideas that I so wish were true. Your point about education and enforcement are right on…and most of us who volunteer or live in the world of rescue do just that…try desperately to educate the public about spaying and neutering and responsible pet ownership…..and then…when they don’t…we are there to foster or network or transport the young, healthy ones that we can save and cry about the 10,000 killed every day in our country that we couldn’t save…..
I think you better check your statistics on the type of animals that are destroyed in shelters every year. A full 25% of them are purebred dogs as you like to call them. Sounds to me like you’re a breeder so of course you’re going to make excuses like this.
you are completely incorrect about the majority of dogs brought into shelters and euthanized are dangerous and sick dogs. The over whelming majority are perfectly healthy and adoptable dogs brought in by irresponsible and selfish dog owners or picked up as strays because of irresponsible and selfish dog owners ..And frankly its irrelevant to me if the number of dogs euthanized has gone down over the years (and I’m not even sure that is correct ) even one dog put down needlessly is too many. I will absolutelu judge people who buy and sell dogs and I will always loudly voice my opinion on the matter and advocate for change..Yes they have a right to get a dog of their choosing but I’m fighting for the rights of that dog ..I agree with you on one thing and that there is far too many people on the planet . Humans cause so much damage and cruelty in the world and would not break my heart to see the population start to decline .
15 years together, really? The purebred dogs of my friends and relatives have way more health issues than the ones rescued in shelters! For example, a champion dachshund that hasn’t even reached his 2nd birthday is dying from cancer as are some of his litter mates. Breeding on purpose does more harm than good. You need to do better research!
Beautiful, healthy , young dogs and puppies are euthanized every day. You do not need to convince me or yourself as to why you buy your pups from breeders. The truth is a breeders dog is not any healthier or better behaved or has better genes than an adopted dog. You are a snob.
I donate time and money to shelters. I own two well bred purebred dogs. And i wouldn’t change that for the world. After my last two rescues were medical cases that cost me 10k a piece in medical bills, I wanted a dog I knew came from healthy parents. I got a solid temperament in my standard poodle. He is calm but works hard as a service dog. He is structurally sound and I have a lifetime of support through his breeder. At his age, my last dog was undergoing surgery for a condition that could have been bred away from had the dog been bred well and responsibly.
But thats the kicker. You dont find responsibly bred dogs in shelters. You find backyard bred mutts and purebreds. You find pitbull type dogs and chihuahuas. Instead of going after breeders who breed for the love of the breed and to help better lines, why not go after the people causing the large amount of rescues in the shelter? Because that wouldnt fit your propaganda.
Not all people who purchase from a breeder will ever purchase from a shelter. I will never get a shelter dog again so how am I taking a home away from a shelter dog? I wasnt going to get one in the first place.
You feeling sad and offended your friends bought a dog is ridiculous. You dont know what they do with their free time. Do they donate to shelters? Volunteer? You don’t know. You choose to be offended by something that literally does not affect you.
If your “responds able” breeders really cared about their breed they would stop breeding and advocate for rescuing until the shelters were empty. They should be on the front lines to get the laws changed.
If they stopped breeding, there would be no more purebreds to breed from. Adopt or shop, as long as you do your research and get your dog from a good place.
It is not the responsibility of a person or family seeking a household pet to clean up after the irresponsible pet owners and adopt what didn’t work out for someone else. Have your pet spayed and neutered to prevent over population. I’m picking what I want.
“But thats the kicker. You dont find responsibly bred dogs in shelters. You find backyard bred mutts and purebreds.”
I’ve yet to find a backyard breeder who would describe themselves as anything but a “responsible breeder”.
Yup, there’s a real problem all right, let’s make the responsible breeders stop breeding.
Remember these dogs don’t typically end up on a shelter, because where do most turn-ins come from? Irresponsible owners!
Responsible breeders usually don’t sell to them because they know they are not right for pet ownership at that time. Unfortunately, many of those people just have to have a dog so they find one elsewhere, and then … when it interferes with their lifestyle, they dump it at a shelter.
So you would have all the responsible breeders stop breeding, then what … how does that help you? There are “rescues” are bringing dogs over from Europe and Asia … how is that okay?
How many dogs in Chicago alone died by Canine Flu traced back to .. you guessed it, rescue dogs from Asia. Not only canine flu but also now they’re talking about Bruscellosis and Rabies.
The breeders over in Asia have a whole new market. They’re not being shut down, but they can make a lot more money from the rescues (the mere mention of dogs being rescued from meat farmers is good for thousands in donations). Do you think they’re giving these dogs to rescue?
Another rescue would have you believe there are beautiful golden retrievers wandering all over the streets of Turkey?
There have been cases where people working in shelters are now talking about breeding puppies because that’s what people want! WHAT THE HECK? Do people have any idea how much work puppies entail? Puppies are highly overrated as pets, and trust, an adult can bond with people just as much. Stop supplying the demand, make them adopt an adult!
And then we can talk about Retail Rescue. Go pick up a bunch of puppies (from people in an area where there are no responsible breeding practices, typically South of the Mason Dixon line) and take em North because everyone wants a rescue puppy. Distribute them from the back of a truck to the waiting arms of people who have paid $300+ for each one.
Except absolutely nothing is usually done to prevent these dogs from breeding and producing more puppies. Why? Because it’s a business, folks … no rescue puppies, no big bucks in the pockets of people taking advantage of the situation (in this case it would be the rescue making the big bucks in case you have not figured it out).
Responsible breeders take their puppies back if the buyer does not want them, or cannot care for them. Retail Rescue, sorry, we don’t have any kennels, we might have a foster home open up though (if that).
No, I don’t breed because I don’t have the energy and time to do it right, but if I want a purebred dog of a certain breed with health-tested parents, and sound in mind as well, I have a right to be able to find one.
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kinzie you absolutely do not donate time and money to shelters. which is fine , thats your choice but dont start your statement off with a lie.. No one would give their time to a shelter and still have the opinion that you do about getting a dog from a shelter … you just wanted to soften the blow of the douchey comment you knew you were about to make ..
Thank you!! Lynda!! All California is now is a dumping ground for puppies all over the world. Sadly, dogs are dying from foreign diseases. When you confront AR peeps with this information, they attack you, and can give no creditable evidence to the contrary. As Amy proved by attacking you for having a different opinion. FYI… I worked at a shelter..
@Kinzie, then you don’t need a dog. Breeders don’t breed out genetic conditions that come with the dogs and in many cases they overbreed the dogs to produce horrible side effects like Double Merle dogs that are bred because they’re beautiful but 90% of the time end up blind & deaf, usually with seizures too. Do you know the Bull Terrier is actually a dog that breeders created and that the snout is actually a detriment to its health but breeders though it looked cool and so here it is. Oh, and it still is likely to suffer knee luxation, thyroid, and heart issues. How about G. Shepherds? If breeders were really breeding out genetic issues, why are 87& of Shepherds still suffering from hip dyspepsia? Oh but you’re right, bred dogs don’t have health issues. How ignorant.
If you were actually informed, you would know it’s the mutts that suffer less ailments other than those introduced by the environment. Hereditary ailments still happen but in a much small percentage. And just because you donate to a shelter doesn’t help when it’s people like you that are contributing to the problem. Tell the shelter or rescue you donate your money to that you actually only support buying dogs, see their response by hanging out on euthanasia day.
To be honest it’s not anyone’s business but you own how you choose to add a pet to your family. While I 100% am against purchasing from stores. I believe it is a persons choice whether or not you adopt a pet from a shelter or choose to purchase from a reputable breeder. Personally I will choose a well-bred purebred any day of the week. I have adopted before and it can be trying. My one dog is very hard to handle. Fearful, distrusting of many people, and is quite frankly a genetic nightmare. My purebred dog on the other hand is mentally sound, has a lovely temperament and has had very little issues in the health department, other than one bladder infection and a couple ear infections. My free mutt has cost me nearly $20,000 in medical bills alone.
So I find it quite taxing and frustrating when I read stuff like this because to me is screams propaganda. You should not be so concerned with what other people do that you are distraught over it. Everyone has a right to choose where they get their animals from and I personally see that as you can either adopt or get from a reputable breeder because they are preserving breeds. Maybe you don’t care but many people do and bred dogs need homes too. Just saying, it’s their life, so their choice and I feel that you need a better hobby if someone purchasing a pet from a breeder affects you THAT much.
A lot of people here in comments talk a lot about their rights. Their right to choice and opinion. But I don’t see any mentioning or even being aware that Rights come with Responsibilities. Yes you have the right to buy from a breeder, but you have responsibility to make the right choice. We all want to live in the world where our rights are respected , but we do not think of animal’s rights, only about our own. A bit egocentric, isn’t it?
We all have to ask ourselves a question , is it ethical to breed and buy pet dogs, when millions of dogs all over the world are put to sleep every day because of ” lack of families”. What is our responsibility to the ones we tamed? Many of us fail to see it because we don’t even want to look. By choosing to focus more on our own desires, we end up becoming part of the problem, not part of solution.
9 years I have spent rescuing and training dogs. Many adopters complain that you get dog with behavioral issues from rescue. However, if you speak with trainers they will tell you that number of people who are seeking for help with dogs who were purchased from breeders is not less than number of people who come to training with rescue dogs. This myth has been debunked, but it does not seem that many people are aware of it. Behavioral problems are often unintentionally reinforced by owners who do not have enough knowledge, or can not interpret dog’s signaling correctly. People take their first puppy and don’t even bother to go to dog school. They experiment with puppies upbringing which often results in unwanted behaviors to develop. Good ones go to the trainer and try to fix their mistakes. Bad ones put dogs in shelters. Period.
Thing is most of these issues whether your dog is from breeder or from rescue can be worked out. Problem is bringing dog into your life means changes. Changes are stressful. People want a dog that would fit their life style, but they do not want to fit themselves to dog’s life style. I often see these dogs emotionally shut down, but people say ” he is just laid back”.We only see behavioral problems of dogs when it bother our comfort zone and ignore them when it is not expressed in a way that would cause some damage and discomfort to US. Considering fare share of dogs we rescued came from ” reputable” breeders, I do not see how rescue dogs can be damaged… I have six dogs , all from rescue, most from abusive situations. They are wonderful, healthy and very well behaved pets. I fostered 40 dogs over the past years and any problems I had with dogs were mainly due to my lack of knowledge, not because the dogs were bad or ” rescue”. I currently am training my dogs “chin target” to teach them to remain calm and happy during veterinary inspections. Not many dog owners do that. It is okay to stress the dog out ( instead of teaching him), but when they do something that stresses us out we label them… If dog was not socialized to vet visits, get stressed and bites the vet, who do you think will be put down? The owner who neglected dog’s education and by doing so put his dog in danger or a pup who is expected to be poked by needles and panics because it hurts and its scary?
I recently spoke to a vet nurse who had her internship in the shelter. She told me that shed have to pick 10 dogs every day and euthanize them. They were scared, looking for protection, they felt something bad was coming… and they died. Not because of behavioral issues, but because there were no families … so why one of these dogs could not become someone’s pet?
Is it ethical for humans to breed and have our own genetic children when there are millions of abused children in foster care? Let’s all stop and think about how hypocritical it is to judge other people’s choices….
You can find specific breeds at your local shelter if you look. I found a little Cocker Spaniel that appears to be a purebred. She was found in the strawberry fields and it appeared someone had dumped her there and she had been there for a while. Did she have issues that we had to work on? Absolutely! But she has become a really good pet and companion. She is the third dog that I have rescued and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It takes a lot of patience and hard work, but it is so worth it. It’s a great feeling when you know that you can help one of God’s little creatures that needs help!
It depends where you are. For example I want a specific breed of dog. Where I live there is one in a rescue but it has severe skeletal deformities and it’s front legs are all messed up because of it. So I am going with a reputable breeder because I am not equipped or financially well-off enough to afford that. So no, you cannot always find the breed you want in a shelter or rescue because some are hard to find as not many people give them up OR they follow their contracts and return them to the breeder if they’re unable to care for that dog any longer.
I stumble upon this post when someone who claims to rescue since 5YO just told me that she bought a French Bulldog from a pet store, which she clearly is aware that the puppy is from puppy mill and the store treats the puppies horribly… Her reason is that the puppy is pitiful and bat her eye lashes at her, so, she felt compelled to “save” her by buying her. She’s well aware that the store will replace the puppy the next day or in the near future. Her reasoning is that pet stores will always exist anyway so either she chose to adopt or buy, it is still saving a life.
I cannot comprehend her intellectual capability. This is why the cruel cycle never ends. There are just people out there who claim to understand why they shouldn’t support puppy mill but went ahead and justify their purchase anyway.
May the parents of the French Bulldog die in peace after being bred numerous times. May the suffering end.
The more you read the more you learn. For instance I did not know I could look find a specific rescue. I need to just save my money I guess. I am a Labrador girl. So if I look for a rescue that helps that type dog? It doesn’t have to be full blooded….and in my search maybe I will find another. I loved your Blog or Post by the way. I have 10 cats. 4 of them are rescues….
I love the floppy ear variety as well. All 4 of my rescues have been lab mix. Lab/Border Collie, Lab/Husky, Lab/Pointer, Lab/Pit. All great dogs. Very easy to find Lab mix that need a home. However, a lot of shelters will list dogs as lab mix because many people have had or want them and know them to be good, gentle dogs. SO many good dogs that just need a home and someone to love them. My brother trains hunting dogs and he prefers mixes (as “they haven’t had the brains inbred out of them).
Hello! The inherent issue with breeding is that we are exploiting the sexual reproductive system of females and that alone is unfair and unjust. We force her to become repeatedly impregnated against her will, go through painful labour and give birth to babies who we will deliberately take from her. All of this is done for greed and profit for humans. How is this ethical or just at all? Breeding any nonhuman is violent and unnecessary. Adopt. Rescue. End speciesism.
kinzie you absolutely do not donate time and money to shelters. which is fine , thats your choice but dont start your statement off with a lie.. No one would give their time to a shelter and still have the opinion that you do about getting a dog from a shelter … you just wanted to soften the blow of the douchey comment you knew you were about to make .. ooo
There’s a way to avoid that – when I go to the only mall nearby that still has a pet store, I don’t get ANYWHERE near it. I’m sorry for the pets who are in there, but I’m not going to encourage them by “rescuing” one.
I usually don’t comment on things like this, but I feel compelled after reading the comments as I don’t think this helps either side of the fence. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and everyone is free to make a choice about how to obtain a pet. People who buy from a breeder often take a long time finding the right one, and it is a long screening process; I have a long-term friendship with the breeder of my two border collies, and she is conscientious about breedlines and avoiding hereditary defects. She also makes sure that the owner understands the temperament and needs of the breed. People like her ensure that specific breeds survive and thrive. This appropriate process of responsible breeding needs to be emphasized, because it is not creating the overpopulation problem.
Then there is my little Maggie, a maltese-poodle-something that someone dumped in the country for the coyote to find. She had recently had puppies and was sick and starving. She came home with me and became The Diva of the household. The backyard breeder who had her and dumped her to die deserves a special spot in hell. THAT person is the problem, along with People who don’t spay or neuter their pets.
Education of the horrendous conditions of backyard breeders would go much farther to solve the issue than castigating people who are responsible breeders or buyers.
I enjoy your blog, and will continue to follow it. My best to your boys.
I’m confused where my reply of “Amen” ended up. I am in agreement with Carole. I have rescued, I have purchased. I will continue to do both. I may even responsibly breed.
I wrote an lengthy reply under this comment and it is gone as well, Megan!!!! Hmmmmm….
I agree completely. “Responsible” is the key word in both rescue and breeding. I’ve volunteered in rescue for years but I completely support responsible breeding.
Thank u. For this article. I have felt devastated, hurt, disrespected. When one of my closest friends discuss. Buying a dog and the reason …I look at my current pack of rescues and think what would of happen to these beautiful souls of seniors and handicap pups if I had not adopted them and my heartbreaks. I have not been able to express the emotions Im experiencing every time she starts speaking about and your article eloquently does so. Thank u
Anyone that breeds dogs and sells them needs to go get a job and stop making their living off of forcing female dogs to have puppies so that you can be lazy and make money
Breeders don’t make a living off of breeding dogs. That is entirely incorrect. Litters from reputable and responsible breeders come from health tested lines, receive vet care within days of being born, receive vet care consistently during growth, have temperament testing done before placement, go through a puppy culture type socialization program, etc. Breeders often discount dogs for service work, donate, etc. A breeder, when whelping a litter, is often with the pups and dam constantly during their first 7-14 days to ensure they are alive and healthy.
They also have full time jobs. Lets use poodles as an example of how breeders can’t live off of this. My poodle was 1500. From a litter of 10, that comes out to 11500. Sounds like a lot, right? When a breeder only has 2 litters a year, pays for all vet care for parents and puppies (including emergency c section), they take a loss. My dogs breeder lost money on his litter. But she does it for the love of the breed. She does it to breed sound, healthy dogs and discounts and donates.
Youre thinking puppy mill and puppy mill is not synonymous with breeder.
Same here Pam. I have spent years volunteering for rescue and that includes the get down and dirty part – boots on the ground and also cleaning kennels , bathing, feeding, picking off ticks, treating, fostering….. also photographing and 100’s of hours editing to get just the right shot to give that dog the best chance for adoption. I’ve been in shelters . I’ve rescued feral dog puppies and neglected senior dogs. I’ve spent literally thousands of my money on rescuing dogs – medical bills, vaccinations, transporting. , donating . I’ve fostered for rescues and I have taken in strays. Over half of my personal dogs have been rescues. But I have also purchased some of my dogs, including one I have now. You see, my last rescue dog died at age 7 from hemangiosarcoma. . It broke my heart into a million pieces. He was my world. The oncologist said this cancer is a highly genetic cancer. So, when I was thinking of getting another, I went to a responsible, reputable, breeder with many questions for her regarding health issues as well as learning about her as a breeder.
I don’t appreciate rescue people trying to guilt me for my choice. I didn’t choose a breeder who breeds litter after litter, but one who seldom breeds and when she does, it is with health and temperament at the backbone of her line.
I agree to the billionth degree that overpopulation is killing many beautiful and wonderful dogs. It’s overwhelming and it’s horrible. But I also feel the problem is not responsible breeders who do health testing and spend thousands on it , to hopefully breed dogs who are long lived and healthy, which is what most all of us feel a dog deserves. These breeders also place their puppies under a spay/ neuter contract. The problem is with irresponsible people who breed for greed and those that do not spay and allow their dogs to have multiple litters and have no regard for where the puppies go . These are the ones to blame , not people who seek out a responsible and ethical and conscientious breeder.
Frankly, I am sad. Judging your “friends” solely on their pet choices lacks the very empathy you expect them to have for your very personal belief that adopting is superior to ANY form of purchase. Your friend choosing to purchase a dog does NOT in fact “hurt” you . . . It may offend your sensibilities, however the assertion that YOU are in some way injured by their choices is truly unfortunate. You may believe that there are no circumstances where a person may obtain a pet from anywhere but a shelter, however, your belief is just that, a belief.
I for example believe that everyone person should donate to a homeless shelter or feed the homeless for Christmas instead of purchasing gifts for their friends and family. Why should money just feed corporate interests when there are humans, living on the street starving? I could judge my friends and feel hurt by the number of presents sitting under the Christmas tree when there are perfectly good human beings struggling to have the basics or food and shelter, some risking death due to freezing temperatures this time of year. BUT I don’t judge my friends and family and I am not hurt, nor does it affect our friendship in anyway. I’d be willing to bet that you would think it silly for me to be hurt, and you would have your own “excuses”, for not spending your money on the homeless or volunteering at shelter.
It is certainly ok, and laudable for you to be concerned about the plight of shelter animals and share your enthusiasm for pet adtoption, in the same way I am concerned about the homeless and less fortunate. Neither of our interests, or “solutions” adequately stop or prevent the activities that lead to pet or human homelessness because they are single minded approach and not a multi-pronged.
One thing is consistent between our interests. Shaming people who don’t behave in a way that aligns with our beliefs, does nothing to further our cause.
You may believe that your article is not judgemental and does not contain any aspect of shaming, however, the very assertion that your friendship would be permanently altered if your friend bought a dog, is enough information to cause someone to avoid the conversation with you.
Thanks for your comment and point of view.
Don’t be a Bonnie
Shop dont adopt
Totally agree. I’m *really* tired of this judgmental, smug attitude from the “adopt don’t shop” people. First off- the irresponsible people who dump their dogs or don’t fix them and have litter after litter are at fault. Period. Pet stores- at fault. Backyard breeders who sell on Craig’s List- at fault. Good breeders are NOT. There ARE responsible breeders out there who love the breed- my two German shepherds came from one of the top breeders in the world. She has a waiting list. “You can get a pure breed German shepherd from a rescue” oh- REALLY? Okay- you show me a GSD rescue with West German showline dogs bred for health and stability. Oh you mean the 10 year old with mega esophagus whose parents no one knows is available (if the rescue will even adopt to me)? No. Sorry. I’m not risking that. Not with that mouth. I want a GSD with a reliable temperament whose parents I can meet, from a breeder I know, who will TAKE BACK THE DOG if it doesn’t work out (but she never has to, because the people who buy her dogs keep them, and go back to her for their next ones).
If I wanted a pit bull, beagle mix, or chihuahua I’ll go to a shelter. I don’t want those. My lifestyle doesn’t support those. That is my right. I have no kids, so this is a valued family member and a major investment.
I give money every year to German shepherd rescue. I just don’t wish to gamble my safety or wallet on a poorly-bred GSD. And if that makes me some kind of bad person, so be it.
“Poorly bred”? Then maybe don’t breed.
I don’t think it’s implausible to admit that it does hurt I don’t see anything wrong with stating that and admitting to it. Sure some of us suffer from whataboutism but I agree with the blog and what she says cuz I feel the same way. Friends and family are lazy and are only thinking about their own needs and wants when choosing where to obtain a new dog. They’re impatient and that’s the bottom line. It’s just easier to go and purchases from a pet store Craigslist or some breeder. Not all breeders are bad this is true but 99% of them are contributing to the overpopulation and daily euthanization of healthy adoptable animals. People have choices people have support people had shelters animals do not. They need our help and they need our voice. They have no choice and no autonomy whatsoever what happens to them
Amen
Oh wait, Megan, your Amen is under this one…
If a homeless person is sleeping on the street in terrible weather, it is by his or her choice, not willing to abide by rules of the shelter or accept the mental health help that he or she needs……..
thrown away pets do not have that option…….
I volunteer for a No-kill animal rescue. I bought a Pomeranian. The seller was someone who’s Pom got pregnant while leaving it with a sitter. She charged me 150 vet fee and 150 rehoming fees. Did I buy from a mill? No! Did I rescue? No! Did I buy from a breeder? No! I bought because this was the dog for me. I waited for 3 years for the right dog. I looked at the rescue. Nothing came up for me. The point I want to make is if I had a friend that judged me for making the right decision for myself and a dog I would end my friendship with you. Stop shaming people for making a choice that is best for them. I’m sure no shelter or rescue would turn down cash donations from people who choose to buy the dog. I am offended by this post.
BTW rescues are selling puppy mill puppies for market value.. 80 recently have gotten caught buying from dog auctions. So why do you all not upset at that. Some retail rescues are now a main source of revenue for puppy millers..
That is upsetting! But clearly that’s just buying from a breeder with a fake rescue as middleman! So I don’t think the author needed to explicitly state that it’s wrong. Because it’s already been stated that she doesn’t like buying from a breeder.
Rescue is supporting puppy mills more so than people are buying them. Why not expose rescues that are buying puppies from dog auctions? What about the truly messed up shelter system? People abuse and neglect animals that should be protecting? I worked at one and the horror stories.. What about the poor dogs being bred in Mexico and smuggled over the border?! Why is that not addressed?! What about rescues that are neglecting animals in their care? It has become more and more of a problem.
Someone asked why I am not fostering. It id easy.. Since I bought some of my cats, I have been told they do not want my help. Even though I have rescue pets too. I am in love with a rare breed of cat. You cannot get these cats at a shelter.
If I want to rescue a pet I do so at a kill shelter. As I know the animal needs a home. FYI my family provides a good home for my pets. They are well loved.
Thirdly, HSUS and similar AR groups make millions upon millions. There is no reason there are not low income vet clinics everywhere. There is no reason for over population…
I love a specific kind of cat. You cannot find these cats in shelters. I do like cat breeder more than dog breeders. If I was to get a dog it would be from a kill shelter. As you arr saving a life. I also have rescue cats dumped on us by family. A elderly lilac point and a tortie. So it is not as if we do not have a house full of rescues. I will say this. My husband and I paid for and fostered the Tortie until she was ready for a home. She will come and hug and snuggle with you. As to know we saved her. But she also is not a confident cat. She does have baggage most of the cats I got from a breeder does not experience.
You also forget that some people have certain needs. Ie a kid who has allergies and needs a certain breed, dogs used for hunting, guard dogs, dogs used for a certain task, PTSD, seeing eye dogs ect. As dogs are bred for certain tasks or personality traits. There is nothing wrong with seeking out a well bred dog. Pets are in the least a ten to twenty year commitment. Why should someone not get the pet they want and fit into their lifestyle?
You also did not mention in many shelters there are pitbull mixes and chihuahuas! The highly adoptable ones are pulled by rescue or taken by employees! That is all the options at my local shelter.
There are some wonderful rescues that work tirelessly to save as many animals as possible. I have the deepest respect for these rescues and have seen their dedication. But you did not mention the dark side of rescue. Some are pulling the highly adoptable dogs and puppies from dog auctions! These usually are from large breeding facilities… So they supporting the same people that are mass producing dogs with no thought to their needs. There are rescues not registered as a non profit and are only trying to make money off the dogs. They sell sick and pets with behavior problems. Not to mention, no thought to if said dog is a good fit for the adoptee. These dogs are returned, end up in the shelter system, or the owners are forced to spend money on training and their activities in their home is limited. In cases the dog is sick, it can cost thousands to get the pup in tip top condition.
I live in rescue utopia and some rescue are deny adoptions for stupid reasons. The animals are stuck living in a over crowded kennel or crate! Shit happens in life. If you are not perfect in everyway, you are denied. Eventually these people seek out a breeder since they are frustrated and bitter.
Rescues want to have access to your home whenever they want… Not to mention, the microchip in the rescue’s name. So you are leasing a dog! Why? I can slum it and find a cute dog in LA for cheaper without that headache. Many of those rescuers have no communication skills and the interview is more like a interrogation! I am not a criminal; why should I be treated like one?!
You act as if it is easy to adopt from rescues. It is not. If you dare buy a pet, rescues will not let you foster! I mean seriously?! Most rescues are filled with animals. You would think that they would be happy for extra help. As I have fostered a zillion unweaned kittens. Maybe instead of being judgemental if someone dares buy from a breeder… Write a article to rescues about bettering their relationships with the public!! Adopting should not be a interrogation! The expectations should be realistic. Buying from “puppy mills” should be banned. You want those closed buying from dog auctions should be frowned upon. Just a FYI I can buy a puppy for three to four hundred dollars from the same source as some rescues. So why would I spend some of the outrageous adoption fees when I could go to the source? A lot of people buy from breeders than lie. Believe me.. Breeding is alive and well. Articles like this just make people deceptive on how they obtain their pets. Instead people join closed groups to stay away from judgemental people who think they have the right to force their beliefs on other people.
You should be happy for your friends no matter how they got their pets. It is really none of your business how they obtained them. I would hope you have friends that are responsible owners. If doggy needs a friend, why not direct them to a good rescue. Many people will often want another pet.
I think over population is caused by people not spaying and neutering their pets. You also have idiots just breeding for money. There should be spay and neutering regulations in areas which thid is a issue. HSUS and other AR groups could easily open up spay and neuter clinics for low or no cost. They make huge amounts of money. Also, why are 100,000 dogs imported from other countries if a million animals are being killed?! Seems stupid to me if America is battling their own over over population issues to bring more surplus animals here.
@Malia, it sounds like you are just bitter a rescue turned you down. You probably weren’t a good fit for the animal or your responses gave red flags like you said you wanted an indoor/outdoor cat when the cat you wanted was an indoor only. Yes, rescues will keep their name on a microchip but that is as a backup. Most chips carry 2 sets of ID, the adopters & the rescues that way if you register the chip then get a new phone number & forget to update it, the rescue can still be contacted if your animal ever gets out. Your exaggeration of “leasing the animal” is entirely inaccurate and just plain whiny.
To address your other complaints, yes there are rescues that are bad. And a lot of them get shut down, sued, or incur massive fines. Some rescues do buy dogs from auctions but not to resell at a profit. That’s completely ignorant of you. Most of the auction dogs have never been vetted and have serious health complications so the majority of the time, the rescue loses money on the adoption fee. Again, this is not an always thing. There are bad rescues but there are many more bad breeders and bad pet owners.
You sound a bit entitled, like a rescue has to adopt out to you. If they think you aren’t a good home, then why risk putting an animal out that’s likely only going to be returned? Why don’t you try doing your research on rescues in your area and looking into why the adoption fees are what they are. If you have a problem with every rescue or shelter in your area, the problem probably isn’t the rescues at that point… It’s you.
My Ffion is not a rescue dog as such. My son found her abandoned at a local country park. I had had no intention of having a dog, but, to cut a long story short, nine years later, and with her tenth (approximately) birthday coming up in December, she’s still as lively and beautiful as ever. No, she didn’t come without some problems of her own, bless her. When we’re out, she won’t go far from me, and always has to check that I’m there. And she’s very possessive of her food and toys. All this is understandable. We don’t know for sure why she was left in the park, but were told by several people that ayoung couple with a baby were evicted from their home, and left their puppy behind!!!! Anyway, she’s been part of our family all these years, and we couldn’t be happier.
You rescued her in the best way …my first dog was rescued from the street as well!
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Really enjoyed this article. Volunteering at a shelter for 7 years is educational. A shame everyone doesn’t do it. Instead a lot of people choose to ignore their existence and the plight of all the animals there. They say they don’t have the heart to go to a shelter and see the poor animals there, or they believe those dogs are there for a reason. Or mainly, they just don’t go, they figure someone else will do it. I know too many folks that have bought their puppies online, sight unseen, and I have to admit, I find it a bit repugnant. I understand it is their choice, their money, but it tells me that they don’t give a darn about saving another dogs life that needs saving. On a second note, I also work at a pet food store that doesn’t sell junk dog food. People come in with their breeder dogs and their rescue dogs. I can’t tell you how many times their breeder dogs develop health problems, even ones that have been certified and purchased from these so called reputable breeders. There is no guarantee of health with rescue dogs, but I like the feeling of taking a dog that probably had a crappy early life and then taking it out of a shelter that it lived in for months and providing them with a home. I find it a little hard to believe that someone cannot find a dog that fits their family at a shelter. It might take effort and time, but it can be done. I think they already had their mind set on purchasing a cute little puppy, so they failed at finding a shelter dog. And yes, the shelters get cute little puppies too.
There is some bashing of rescue groups, well, until you work in one and deal with the public, then you should be careful with your judgement. It is unfortunate but people lie on applications, they expect a perfectly trained and well behaved dog and if the dog does anything wrong in the first few days, they are ready to throw in the towel. Imagine if someone transported you to a foreign country to live with a family, and you had to know all their rules and mannerisms and customs within a few days. Yep, you would screw up too. It takes time, but they don’t want to take the time. What, you mean my dog might need training? Oh gosh, I don’t have time for that. Every dog needs training, whether you bought it or not. They don’t even want to walk the dog or feed it food that doesn’t make them sick. If one rescue gives you a hard time, find another. The rescue I am with does not require fences, you can live in an apartment, you have to do meet and greets if you have other pets. We want the adoption to work and the dog to be safe and happy. I have learned a lot along the way. Some adopters I think are questionable, but not in an unsafe way, turn out to be the best adopters, and ones that I think will be great turn out to be people that want to make no effort in making the dog fit into their family. When that same dog gets adopted again and the family says it is the best dog, then you know that people fail a lot more than the dogs do.
Let’s be honest, the overwhelming majority of dogs in shelters are pit bulls, chihuahuas, shepherd mixes and mixed breed dogs. To act as if shelters are overrun with purebred dogs is not true. When one does come in its usually adopted so fast (probably by staff of shelter) the public never sees it. Ethical breeders are not whats causing the huge pet overpopulation problem. The problem is people that don’t spay or neuter their pets and end up with unwanted puppies who are then given to anyone that will take them and continue to stay unspayed/unneutered repeating the cycle. Municipalities should have spay/neuter requirements for all pets unless you apply for a special breeder license which should be very expensive to discourage the casual backyard breeder.
Of course people lie on applications. They don’t want to get denied for the dog they want. If someone leaves a rescue group with a dog and didn’t know it required extensive training, that’s failure of communication on the rescue’s part. People just like dogs are all different and if the dog doesn’t work out for them maybe its just not a good match. Maybe its not the dog’s fault or the person’s fault. Why not try them with another dog that might be better suited instead of saying how bad of a person they are. The fact that they came to rescue should show they have good intentions. The rescues job is to educate and set realistic expectations for the adopter. Guess what is needed to save dogs…PEOPLE.
I would happily foster kittens. But since I bought from breeders most rescues turn up their noses. If rescues need people to foster; maybe they should not be so picky! Especially since I have fostered tons of unweaned kittens. Their loss.
We got our dog from a breeder. We watched the local humane society for over a year waiting for the right dog to come along. Our requirements: kid-friendly (as we have two small children), small-to-medium size (between 20-40lbs), low shedding (as one of the kids has mild allergies), and not a senior dog (as we were adopting a dog for our family and to grow up with our kids, and I didn’t want to expose them to death purposefully at such a young age – obviously you never know what’s going to happen, but we didn’t want to ). I didn’t think that was too much or too specific. Our previous dogs have all been dogs from the shelter, and when our girls are older, we’ll get shelter dogs again.
This time, however, we did end up with a dog from a breeder. Why? Because almost every dog at our local shelter fell into one of several categories that made them not work for us: it had a “no kids under 6” (or 12) rule; it was a pit mix, and we have heavy breed restrictions in our city, and I didn’t want to have to muzzle our dog every time we went on a walk; it was a puppy where at least one parent wasn’t known, and we couldn’t get a guess on the adult size or shedding situation; it was too small (nervous about very small dogs around boisterous kids) or too big (our living situation just can’t accommodate a large dog – our old dog was 120lbs so we’re experienced with what that’s like). The very few dogs that we found that met our requirements were adopted within hours of being posted before we could get there, or, as we found, were adopted by friends and family of shelter staff – we found out that the “best” dogs (i.e. ones with a good temperament, ones that are “desirable” breeds, etc – not my words but the words of the shelter staff) never even make it to the adoption floor.
Despite that, I still believe strongly in the organization and still donate my time and $$ to them, and will certainly adopt from them again in the future.
When the humane society didn’t work out, we submitted applications to multiple local rescue groups. We were rejected from various ones because we have little kids, because we have guinea pigs, and because I work full-time two days a week. One rescue told us that we were looking at the wrong place, because dogs like what we were looking for don’t get given up to rescues. When we were approved, we ran into similar issues as we had with the shelter – dogs that were heavy shedders, dogs that were too big or too small, senior dogs, etc.
I checked Petfinder and Craigslist near daily and ran into similar issues with those sites (and often couldn’t be sure that it wasn’t a puppy mill, which I refused to support). I asked friends for help. Once we came very, very close to adopting a Wheaten, but after going through three meetings and preparing to finalize, it was cancelled when the original owner’s brother decided to take the dog instead.
We probably could have eventually found one by expanding our searches to rescues throughout the entire US, but most importantly we really wanted to meet any potential dog in person first and didn’t want to subject any dog to a flight, and of lesser importance was being able to verify that it was a legitimate, well-run organization, which was easier with local groups.
If we didn’t have two young children, there were literally a hundred dogs I would have adopted in a heartbeat. And when the children are older, I’ll rescue as many as I can. When we did decide to adopt, we were incredibly stringent in our search for a reputable breeder.
All that to say – people have not necessarily abandoned all of their morals and given up on adopting dogs just because they choose to purchase from a reputable breeder.
I volunteer and foster when I can. Your statements make perfect sense.
Thank you!!
I certainly know what you mean!!! I know there are a few great breeders out there but the horrible puppy mill breeders far outweigh them so I wouldn’t promote buying from either. There is such an abundance of wonderful, beautiful, even breed specific dogs in shelters that are filled with dogs that have been bought but don’t quite meet the expectations of the buyer so they’re cruelly dumped. They desperately need loving, caring homes for the rest of their lifetime and, if one is willing to wait, one can find the dog to fit their desires. Even if you BUY a dog, you are never guaranteed that dog is going to be PERFECT for you.
I have been struggling by myself this whole time! You said exactly what I’ve been feeling and I can’t thank you enough for this. Responsible breeding is still using an animal for your financial gain, I’d say with the exception of service dogs.
This article is ableist and erases the need for service dogs. Mobility service dogs have to come from reputable breeders to ensure that they aren’t at any genetic risk for health problems. But please, tell me more about how I’m “disrespecting” you by purchasing a dog to help me regain my independence.
Appreciate your comment and choice. However, to also say that there are no service dogs available that are rescues or that do not come from a breeder is not correct.
I agree. It’s very ableist, and I say this as a disabled person that both got chastised for buying from a breeder, but only because shelters and rescues wouldn’t work for me because they were ‘concerned’ my disability would limit my ability to care for a dog despite my having had 5 other dogs prior who’d lived long and happy lives with me. My trainer I’ve worked with for 20yrs was pretty upset by the whole ordeal to, and despite assurance on her part that my disability wouldn’t keep me from meeting the dogs needs, and the dog was going to be trained- it was a no go. This happened several times over and over again, and really broke my self esteem as a pet lover, animal care giver, and disabled person. Ended up buying a dog from a really lovely champion shower, and breeder whom I’m still friends with, and the dogs been with me 12yrs, and he’s an awesome dog and marvelous. Mobility service dogs need great joins, and great hips, which sadly you can’t guarantee on many shelter dogs due to their neglect and coming from mills and BYB. Responsible breeders are not the problem and provide healthy service animals which are an asset.
The problem with a lot of rescues is they feel only people exactly like them are good enough to adopt their dogs. You’re either too old, too poor, live in the wrong house, too disabled, have too many kids or a whole list of other reasons. Then they’ll turn around and shake their finger at you when you go and buy a dog. Give dogs to people that want dogs!! Every adopter you deny is a new customer for the pet trade industry.
Oh that’s an easy one. You’re disrespecting the rescue community and limiting yourself by being so completely close minded. Have you no idea that hundreds of thousands of pound puppies have gone on to become service dogs??
How is it your business? Rescues are ridculas in their screening process. Such as you allow your dog to be outside! God forbid a dog enjoy a yard! I urge you to look at the reviews of rescues. The reason they are denied are beyond stupid.
It is you being judgemental! She tired to adopt. So she went to a breeder.
I had several of my rescue fosters adopted and trained to be service dogs. One was a giant lab, and one was a jack russel, but the others were mixed breed. They were and are of service without being from a breeder.
Thank you, Rachel. Very well said & I completely understand. It hurts & it sucks.
Sorry I misspelled your name!
Honestly so sick of the adopt don’t shop nonsense. I want a well-bred working dog with good genetics that I can trust around my family and my other pets. Good breeders don’t even make a profit and they seek to better the breed.
And my desire for a purebred animal does not mean I don’t care about shelter dogs. I worked with dogs professionally and I fostered, rescued, and transported over a hundred dogs in the past. I have done more than my fair share and when the time is right, I’d love to turn to rescue. Why can’t we band together in our love for dogs instead of tearing each other apart?
Also, do you realize that rescues would have more help if they didn’t alienate people who seek out healthy, well-bred animals? Many breeders do breed-specific rescuing and fostering as well. But hateful, judgements posts like this make it clear that their help is not welcome even though they’re *promoting* responsible pet ownership and ethical breeding practices.
The post is not hateful and just describes the feelings of the person writing it. Your reaction though shows me that you feel attacked by it. Why?
This post was far from hateful.
Scientific studies show that ‘mutts’ are actually the healthiest dogs out there and years of breeding the same breed of dog has actually hindered their health.
There are plenty of “well-bred” dogs out there that have been discarded by owners so as the blog clearly states, go to a breed specific rescue if that is your jam.
Shelter dogs can be trusted around family and other pets and that is why it is so important to do your research and have meet & greets before adopting – and home visits! As many rescues do. Because they care about the well-being of the dog, your family, and your other pets as well.
Honestly – so sick of nonsense reactions. Adopt don’t shop! <3
You are entitled to your opinion BUT the fact that you seem to think dogs are only meant for working makes me sad. Dogs or cats or any animal are not property. they are family. they don’t have to earn their keep. Yuu have to earn their love and respect and You have to prove to them that you deserve them.
Well bred? pure breds have 12 genetic issues they are tons more likely to have than mutts. Most rescue animals are great. How you think breeder dogs are any better is completely BS. There are tons of puppies in rescue. There is no ethical breeding. We murder every species for insane overpopulation. Humans who think breeding is fine while great adoptable puppies/dogs and all other species are killed are totally full of themselves. Get over your I have a right to buy an animal while perfectly adoptable great ones are dying. Honestly the ONLY dogs I know who have gotten very aggressive as they grew up were ones from ‘breeders’ puppies.
There is never such a thing as an ethical breeder. Just look at pugs. Every breeder I have ever come across always kills the not so perfect dogs in a litter. Breeding any dog should be banned. Pure bred dogs have many more health problems than a heinz 57 type. Breeding and buying from breeders is so elitist.
This wasn’t attacking anyone. This was her opinion & her feelings when someone she knows buys a dog. Folks are entitled to their opinions & feelings. You don’t have to agree with it.
Also, sick of the whole adopt don’t shop thing are ya? I imagine that the euthanizing technicians are sick of folks who share the same mentality as you.
Re-read 5 times searching for the hate and judgement.
Hateful? No. You”re projecting and defensive. Scrolling through the comments I was disheartened to see person after person defending and justifying their purchases. Every single one of them is pure b.s. people have been turning rescue dogs into service dogs for decades. The health of a dog from a breeder is not guaranteed, nor is it’s temperament. Kids too small now for a rescue dog? Wait then. Almost 40% of dogs purchased from breeders end up in the local shelters, so yes, people like you are only feeding the shelters more animals to be scared, confused, hurt, and finally euthanized. .For every single excuse I I hear there was an easy solution. Methinks thou dost protest overmuch.
I have yet to meet a breeder who DOESN’T make a profit off the dogs they sell. 2 in particular, who were also Animal Control Officers for San Luis Obispo County, bred and sold their Golden Retriever puppies, for $800-$1000/each, or Labradoodle puppies for $3500. All while collecting a paycheck to collect and kill unwanted animals. And the idiot ACO with the Goldens didn’t even have a permit!! And as for rescuing their own breed, I have never met a breeder who did that. Although I have met some that will kill the puppies they could not sell because of a breed “defect”. Until there are no animals at the shelters,breeding should be abolished. Breeding is a for profit business. To think otherwise is naive.
But if people did their research on a breed, and I don’t mean just looking to see how cute it is, but really research and see what breeds would actually best match them, temperament, grooming, exercise needs, and health, then there wouldn’t be any dogs in rescues. People would have done enough to know that living in a one bedroom apartment with a high level energy dog, like a border collie for instance, isn’t a good match. It’s people who choose to get a dog and don’t have he money, time, or level of commitment that causes dogs to go into shelters and rescues. If people did proper research, bought from REPUTABLE breeders, not puppy mills or pet stores, then that would eliminate the chance for dogs to get tossed away. Instead of blaming breeders for shelter dogs, blame the people who didn’t care enough to do the proper work that is required to getting a dog. Reputable breeders don’t breed to make money like puppy mills and pet stores. I know many breeders who actually lose money just so they can keep the breed they love health and withhold true standard without the awful health conditions that come from not properly health testing or selective breeding. The breeder who I bought my Borzoi puppy from actually drove him all the way from Texas to California just so they could meet me in person and make sure I had the proper acomidations for him. They also keep in contact with me all the time Incase I have any questions or concerns. Hat is what true reputable breeders are, people who pay almost the same amount if not more just to do health testing and genetic testing to ensure healthy happy dogs. People who will NOT breed if there is so much as a health or genetic defect in one of he parents. People who if the dog doesn’t work out, will actually take the dog back and return your money, even refer you to someone the know and trust who may have a dog that will better match you. If there were more people who followed these simple things, then this discussion wouldn’t even have been made. There would be no problem with dogs, not population, aggression, or abomdonment. So shouldn’t we be working towards this than creating “sides”? Shouldn’t we be working for “proper research” rather then just coming up with banners like “adopt-don’t-shop”?
I don’t mind if people get upset at me for this, but it’s my personal feels. Just as this threat is the authors. We are all here for animals right? I’m not saying one of us is wrong, I’m just trying to add a new insight to he situation.
If you have read this comment, thank you for sticking through to the end. Have a amazing day.
Breeder equals greeders. No such thing as ethical breeders just kike there is no such thing as humane meat.
There are many ethical breeders and I know several for several different breeds. Those ethical breeders do heart checks, hip checks and get many other certifications before they breed any of their dogs so that people have a better chance at getting a healthy dog. Meanwhile I always rescue dogs and always will but my dogs have health problems galore ( to the time be of over $20,000 in vet bills) so there is a lot to be said about ethical beeeders. Ethical breeders also expose their puppies to many people, dogs, new places, sights and sounds while very young to ensure the puppy is well balanced. I took in a puppy that was going to be taken to the shelter because no one took it and that pup had not been exposed to anything as it was kept in a garage until time to give a way. I am still working on helping that puppy overcome its lack of socialization from a backyard breeder. You can choose to believe that there is no such thing as an ethical breeder but it doesn’t change the fact that there are. People need to quit taking other people choices as a personal affront.
Some rescues buy from auctions used by puppy mill. It is a billion dollar industry! Most people do rescue and are receiving puppy mill dogs.
Oh my gosh well said. Reputable breeders are not the enemy it is the backyard breeders that put two dogs together and do not screen the homes the puppies go to. Or they breed before the dogs are mature. Or the pet stores that they get their puppies from puppy mills producing mass numbers. That’s what you hear about. You don’t hear about the reputable breeder that spent days or years planning a litter with not defects, solid temperaments, health testing on every aspect, putting titles on them depending on what their breed is bred for or having fun in agility or obedience, barn hunt, herding, protection, retrieving, hunting, scent work the list goes on and on. Those people will take their puppy/dog back in a heartbeat to make sure they do not end up on the shelter. So let’s not bash the responsible breeders for issues that other people have caused.
You wrote what I feel exactly! We used to be really good friends with our neighbors. We both agreed to adopt puppies at the same time and they could grow up and play with each other. I was helping with their search for a boxer (they are “boxer people”, because “boxers are just special”. They did contact a boxer rescue but they didn’t have a cute little puppy at the time. When they went to a breeder I felt sick to my stomach. It took months for me to even ackowledge the dog. On one hand I feel childish, but on the other if you don’t stand up for your principles are you a true advocate. They obviously have the right to make that decision, but I feel differently about them because of it.
We have fostered over 40 dogs for a local rescue group and absolutely love it. All our FB “friends” pretty much know what we do and I’m constantly advocating “adopt, don’t shop” for your next furry family member. So THIS, ALL OF THIS hit the mark perfectly. And no, I never “like” someone’s cute new breeder puppy for exactly the reasons you cite. Probably doesn’t make a whim of difference but I certainly don’t want to encourage others into buying a pup when thousands die every day in our nation’s shelters. Thanks for caring and what you do.
Why assume that someone who buys a puppy doesn’t care about the plight of shelter animals?
Bex- like u said they chose to buy a dog & read a breeder to keep breeding, & chose not to adopt from a shelter or rescue – which basically means to me that they don’t care…..
Exactly. I have a rescue, and my last dog was a rescue. I also have a poodle I bought from a breeder. I’m and I wanted a dog I could better my skills in my preferred breed (I want to specialize). I have absolutely no regrets. The times I’ve visited the shelters around me, they were mostly bully breed mixes, which don’t help my grooming skills. That said, I love my rescue dogs, but people like the OP make me nervous to go back. Apparently shelter people will be judging me because I have a purebred standard poodle from health tested parents.
Maybe because actions speak louder than words.
So why can you not do both?! I have rescues and pets I bought from breeders! I have ones from the local shelter, a cat we found abandoned, a bought a mix breed highlander lynx from a bad situation that was being abused. It took a year to gain her trust. We bought some from breeders.. They are cat breeders… I got some great cats I adore.
But I do not care right? I have no clue on what a shelter is like?! Work at one… The shelter system is also messed up!
Thank you for putting into words exactly how I feel.
I know that not all breeders are the same and not all pet stores are the same. But, I have watched pet stores immunize all the puppies in their care with the same needle. I have seen them put a seriously ill puppy in a cardboard box to die alone in the back room. I have seen breeders selling dogs out of their car in shopping center parking lots and I have seen breeders who vetted potential buyers just like responsible rescues do.
People don’t realize how quickly parvo and distemper can spread through pups housed in the same space. People who have never been to a puppy mill have no concept of the conditions those dogs live in and are bred in; I have had two puppy mill rescues, one breeding female who probably had been bred twenty times in her ten years and one who was a young male who only had dead dogs and feces to eat and died shortly after I got him of some genetic blood dyscrasia so no one will ever convince me that buying dogs from puppy mills can be justified in any form or fashion.
In a town I lived in a few years ago, there was a puppy mill that bred Beagles, Bostons, and Bassets; when they were raided, over 200 dogs were found – “the breeders” and their puppies showed all types of genetic as well as physical problems caused by the environment in which they were being raised. Most of the dogs were not in any shape to be rescued and were euthanized. These people had no concept of the genetics involved in cross breeding and interbreeding so you can only imagine the condition of some of these animals. It was so sad. The male that I rescued was a joy to watch as he learned to be a dog. He had never stepped on grass, had to learn to eat food from a bowl and to not eat dead things in the yard. They both lived great though relatively brief lives.
I understand people who buy dogs and people who breed dogs to feed their families and people who breed dogs to preserve a breed. I just hope for every dog they buy, they will rescue one or donate to a rescue so some else can rescue one and that they will have the dog they purchased spayed or neutered.
YES! Thank you for putting into words my very thoughts. Thank you for letting me know I’m not alone in those feelings!
Hi Amber! Thank you for your comment! Can you tell us where you found our article? Cheers to you!
This is exactly why I created my company Fetcha. There is no excuse to go to a breeder or pet store anymore. Every breed, any gender any age are all in rescue. We will find it so you can save a life instead.
No excuse? Seriously? Please don’t try to tell me that I had “no excuse” to get my puppy, who is being trained as a mobility service dog, from a reputable breeder. I needed to know her genetic information and get her from health tested parents to reduce the risk of her having any medical conditions that could prevent her from being a healthy working dog.
Devon – there is no excuse to have a purebred dog as a service dog- there are many great mixed breed service dogs that also have medical tests to make sure they are no medical conditions they are predisposed to & also temperament screening….. no one is saying anything against your service dog- however I am saying there is no reason for purebred dogs only as service animals – that is ridiculous & a excuse to me……
I support your choice Devon, because I’ve been there.Able bodied people don’t get it, they don’t understand what it’s like. Having a dog with a good genetic history is vital to having a good working dog. I can trace my working dogs ancestry back seven generations. I can call the breeder/handler now and ask him anything about any dog in that line and he can answer it, or connect me with someone who does. This dog I bought is the healthiest dog I’ve ever had, and I’ve had more rescues than purebreds. Not all breeds are genetic train wrecks and sometimes you need a dog with specific abilities, size, and strengths. If someone is just looking for a pet, by all means, adopt. But if you need a working dog. Look for a good responsible breeder with working lines who is all about health testing.
Well said
You took the words right out of my mouth! My exact thoughts and feelings when I see a new pet post while scrolling through my Facebook feed. You are not alone! #AdoptDontShop
But what do you do if the rescue group denies you because you don’t have a high enough fence or they can’t schedule a home visit for 3 months. Or when they let someone else adopt the dog you have fallen in love with because they felt the other person was “a better match”. Or because your 17 year old dog isn’t up to date on shots…Rescue groups need to to be a little less judgmental and welcoming to encourage more people to adopt. Until then they will have more and more animals waiting for that “perfect” home.
Then go to another rescue or shelter, there certainly is no shortage of either or dogs available. If they can’t get a home visit done for 3 months, what does that tell you? That they need more volunteers – where do you volunteer? Maybe you could offer your services to them. Until you foster a dog in your home and understand the costs, responsibility and effort involved in placing them in homes, you really shouldn’t tell other rescue groups how to place their dogs. If you were finding a home for your own dog…you would’t place it in the home that was the best fit? Maybe the foster home discovered the dog jumps fences and they don’t want it killed and you or them heartbroken. You can easily get your vet to write a note saying they do not recommend your 17 year old get vaccines, but rescues pour money into dogs that people medically neglect, and the rabies vaccine is required by law – so if you have no explanation as to why your dog isn’t up to date other than his age and you don’t think he should be, why would you expect them to make an exception for you?
I agree with Steph. My parents are in their late 70s and couldn’t find any rescue group willing to let them adopt, even though they have specific arrangements for the care of their pet in case anything should happen that would make them unable to care for him/her. They resorted to buying a beautiful Havanese puppy from a breeder and I can tell you she is the most loved and well cared for fur baby I know! And my parents aren’t the first to experience age discrimination from rescue groups… I know friends’ patents That got the same treatment.
To Emily:
I actually have fostered countless kittens and a few dogs in my years. I used to work at one of the largest shelters in the country and I’ve seen many healthy, happy animals euthanized because they weren’t adopted. So while you’re waiting for that perfect match I bet if you could ask the dog on the Euth list he would say “lady I’ll take my chances”. Sure the animal might not go to the best home and that’s the risk you have to take. But at least it will be alive and with life there are possibilities with death there is none. So if someone tells me they want one of my dogs in my overcrowded shelter, I would say do you have a job, a place to live? Here it’s yours. Then hopefully they tell their friends and family about the experience and then they’ll choose to get their pets from my shelter. Word of mouth is the best advertising. And if someone has a bad experience it will spread.
There are reasons why they set those rules. If your 17yr old dog isn’t vaccinated, that new pet coming in the home could possibly get them sick. It’s for both pets safety. If you don’t have a fence and it’s required, perhaps that dog is a runner? Every rescue is different. Just because one may have certain rules doesn’t mean they all do.
Hi Melissa, I know why they set those rules, as I said I worked for a large animal shelter. I’ve also seen bins overflowing with dead animals that weren’t adopted. I bet they wouldn’t have cared about tjise rules. But what are you trying to accomplish? If you want to find the “perfect” homes for each animal you and the pet will be waiting a long time and trust me there are way more animals needing homes than there are perfect adopters. I have seen homeless people take better care of their pet than the high income earning couple who leaves their pet crated most of the day. The best way to pet stores and breeders out of business is to make it unprofitable. If I can get a dog as easily from a rescue as I can from a pet store, why would I go to a pet store? The pet I get would be sterilized and I probably would get tons of advice and education from the rescue and save lots of money to boot. This is why I don’t judge people that choose to buy. My pets are adopted but not everyone can deal with the judgement.
I agree with what you have said. There are some frustrations and I think some rescues make it too difficult. My coworkers attempted to adopt a rescue dog but was told he couldn’t because he was gone too long. He went to a breeder. His dog is well loved. I would recommend trying a few different rescues. Not all of them have out of reach standards and really do just want to get dogs into good homes.
Those guidelines are in place for a reason…to protect the best interest of the dog. If you fence isnt suitable, and your dog is not up to date with it shots without a valid medical reason, then those are concerns for the rescue. Its about what is in the best interest for the animal, not the person.
Why not volunteer to work with a rescue group and if your situation is appropriate, they will know it because they will; know you? You could foster-to-adopt and make sure the dog is a good fit for both of you. As a rescue volunteer, I am often being approached by people wanting to re-home their dogs. I have been offered at least three purebred dogs in the past year, and countless mixed breeds. If you get involved in the mission, the right dog will come to you.
Pets do not need to be vaccinated every year. I get mine their vaccinations every three years. Many vets are now saying animals are being over vaccinated. So why should someone be denied a pet because their concerned about their pet being over vaccinated?
My breed of choice is the Borzoi – been involved with them since I was a kid. As a large, hairy, prey-driven breed that is a part of living history, their population is being responsibly managed by the breeders – who are almost entirely, with VERY few exceptions – breeding to preserve the breed.
They are – understandably – quite rare. And they should be! They are wonderful, devoted, sensitive and intelligent companions… But they are absolutely NOT for novice dog owners. They are not “dog park dogs” or “nanny dogs”… though many are very sociable and gentle.
You almost never see them in a shelter for a few important reasons:
1) The breeders SCREEN potential adopters rigorously. No, you can’t just throw money at one of these breeders and get a puppy if you don’t have a stable home and an environment where a dog like this can thrive
2) If there ever IS a problem, nearly every breeder will gladly take the dog they bred back from it’s owner and find the best situation for it. Moving, death in the family, illness, the rare behavior problem – the DOG always comes first.
3) IF a Borzoi ever turns up lost or in a shelter, the instant another Borzoi person (or other sighthound person) sees it, the wheels are in motion! That dog is usually pulled for rehoming/foster/rescue so fast it will make your head spin.
4) There are a couple of National – and International breed rescues for the breed. They are superheroes. In fact, they just saved a purebred Borzoi and her litter from a slaughterhouse a couple days ago. (Shout out to Candy Cane Rescue!)
5) Borzois never got popular. So there’s never been a huge demand for poorly bred specimines ( like Dalmations, Chihuahuas, Pitts, Rotties, etc)
I have had 10 Borzois in my 30+ years of Borzoi ownership (and 2 wolfdogs-both rescues). The first was acquired as a pre-shelter rescue with behavior issues, the second I adopted right from the Nebraska Humane society, the 3rd was a rescue I took in to place in a permanent home. All three of these had lifetime homes. The 4th had health issues- returned to breeder to be euthanized. 5th I had to surrender due to divorce and serious illness (still heartbreaking – hardest thing I ever had to do, but I knew Borzoi rescue would find her a great home – and they did!) #6 passed away to extreme old age just last year. # 7 was only 5 years and had a cardiac arythmia and died. (I cried for 3 months straight). Numbers #8, #9 and #10 are hanging out with me RIGHT now hoping I’ll get them some ice cubes. 🙂
Some breeders do it RIGHT. Some breeds have well managed, HEALTHY populations, and would go extinct with an indiscriminate ban on breeding. Some owners dedicate themselves to their dogs for the entire life of the dog. These people/dogs/situations don’t deserve the hate.
You can’t shame me for my choices. A series of random shelter dogs would NOT have been any better fit for my family, and I did choose rescues when I had the best situation for them.
I shared this because all dogs aren’t “one size fits all.” Where people get their dogs can’t be simplified into “breeder bad! rescue good!” without losing a lot in translation.
(The website is for the breeder of my dogs, Aria Borzoi. I’m proud to be associated with such an ethical and dedicated champion for our amazing breed.)
Do you realize…that you said you adopted many of your dogs so this really doesn’t apply. I love pomeranians and spitz dogs, mine are adopted from the shelter. One was owner surrender and one was a breeder male tied up to a tree outside, he had a lot of trust issues and we still work with him. I think breeds should be preserved to an extent but I will never NOT adopt a dog. I have fostered dogs on literal death row, the amount of dogs put down is disgusting and if you can’t at least meet someone in the middle to recognize that the epidemic of millions of dogs and cats being put down, I don’t know what to tell you. Just being you are not someone surrendering dogs doesn’t mean you aren’t part of a wider social issue by not realizing that everyone is not going to keep a dog for life and the easy access of pet shops and backyard breeders perpetuate irresponsibly in our society. If you favorite breed, Borzoi, were to suddenly become popular and locally several of them were put down a week, so much so that the local rescues can’t keep up, wouldn’t you maybe be upset seeing a friend buy a puppy when you know they are a great for the Borzoi being killed up the street?
It easily could be fixed if organizations stood up and paid for spay and neutering services in poor areas. Problem solved.
I have a Borzoi that I bought from a reputable breeder. There are health issues that can occur in the breed like DM, which is heartbreaking. By going to this breeder I am avoiding those issues. This dog is the most enjoyable dog I have ever had. I have a small rescue mix as well who has behavioral issues that I was not made aware of even though I did get her from a nice small rescue. Maybe they didn’t know. All I know is when I bought the puppy from the breeder I told her what kind of dog I was looking for, and she picked the perfect one for me.
Well said
I agree about the need to give shelter dogs a home, but what happens to the dogs in pet shops and with breeders if they don’t get bought? Don’t they end up getting euthanized as well? I think they need saving as well.
I empathise with caring about the fate of bred dogs for sale in pet stores, but you have to think of the consequences of the sale. That money goes back to the breeder and encourages them to keep practicing their breeding. The most humane thing that can happen to the pets for sale is to be left unsold, and then transferred to a humane, no-kill shelter who can hopefully get them adopted quickly. You can help by talking to the manager of the pet store and trying to convince them to stop buying from puppy mills. The store is not making a big percentage on the profits from selling the animals anyway… the breeder is.
Actually the mills make the least amount. Usually 50-100 $ then brokers mark them up (if there is a middle man) 2 to 4 times…then pet stores double what they paid or more.
But agree…stop the cycle. Boycott any store that sells cats or dogs for profit and let the store owners know that they will not be getting one dime of your money.
mmmm I remember in the days of Anmal Kingdom in Chicago in the 70s, they would buy purebred puppies for $35/each and they would sell for $350-$400… I don’t think the percentages have changed much. The money is made by the broker and the pet store. The puppy mills probably do better by selling them at auction where rescues fall all over themselves to pay hundreds if not a thousand apiece to get them out of there.
And every time someone buys a puppy in a pet store, they are potentially supporting puppy mills, because no reputable would sell their puppies to a broker or a pet store directly.
If the pets stores close down rescues will get them.amd adopt them out. We need to stop the cycle of breeding and buying!
Unscrupulous rescues buy puppies from puppy mills. So it will not change.. Just who buying them. To stop puppy mills is for everyone not to buy them.
Every time you buy or “rescue” a dog from a breeder, per shop, whatever, you create a market for assholes to keep breeding and selling. Pets that don’t sell are (usually) discounted and if the sho isn’t profitable, it eventually goes out of business.
It’s all about the money. 😔
Yes and no… you are only supporting the breeders who typically breed unhealthy dogs. 🙁
Supply and demand. Demand goes down, the supply goes down. Unfortunately money makes the world go round.
All dogs need a home whether they come from a rescue shelter or otherwise. Those “bought” dogs need a home too.
No. Bought dogs do not need to be born. Humans force them into this world when there are thousands upon thousands of pre existing dogs needing homes. All for greed and vanity.
Agree 100%!
I agree that they do need a home now that they exist, as they are totally innocent in the fact of their own existence and how it came to be. But to avoid enabling future breeding practices, it is important that breeders don’t profit from what they do. If the dogs aren’t bought they are NOT returned to the breeders and euthanized, as that wouldn’t be profitable. They are either given away for little money, or they are returned to the mill to turn into breeding animals themselves. Don’t fall for the lie that unsold animals are euthanized… that’s what they want you to think so you will buy them. One thing you can do to help is to offer some small amount of money to buy the animals and then give them to a shelter you trust, where you know they will be rehabilitated and treated humanely and the money used to buy them won’t go to perpetuating the cycle. Eventually, if dog breeding becomes unprofitable stores will stop buying, and mills will stop operating.
Either should rescues! Some rescues get their puppies from dog auctions, claim they are rescues, and sell them for retail price. How is that stopping puppy mills? I had a friend thar went to a dog auction for a specific dog, only to find rescues stuffing their cars full of cute puppies.
There was a rescue that had goldenndoodle puppies donated to them from grandparents that had recently had to take in their grandkids because their parents died. So, getting their dog fixed was not a priority. When the neighbor’s poodle broke into their yard and impregnated her twice, the rescue claimed the family was a puppy mill, and sold the pups for full retail value. Real ethical and greedy! There are rescues that embellish the truth way to often! Another rescue profited off a pitbull with medical issues, and did not bother to get the procedures she needed. Another allowed her rescued pitbulls die in their crates and their bodies rot in their cages! There was another that left a dog caged in a kennel after they moved to a new location, and the dog rotted! Do you want me to continue? You all act as if rescues are so dam ethical. Many are not and money motivated!!
I used to work at a shelter, and dealt with a lot of greedy rescues. How many times did they over charge for a cute dog? I would hear these rescues talk to each other how much they profited off them. 100 dollar fee and groom cute small dog, sell for four or five times than they paid.
There are some great rescues I did work with. But only a handful truly motivated by their love for animals. Way to many were disgusting..
I only donate to rescues I know are ethical and truly help animals. I have bought some of my cats from a breeder. All the breeders, even hybrid breeders, never made enough money to profit off their animals for at least one person in their household not to work full time. So I truly doubt many breeders make a huge amount of money.
If people truly cared about the over population issues, they would shame some of the big time AR groups to actually set up low or no cost spay and neuter clinics throughout the country in poor areas, have mobile vet clinics into poor neighborhoods.. But they do not.. Why? Maybe you should ask yourself that question. FYI most of the over population issues is in poor areas.. How would a animal rights group operate and make tons of money, without pics of sad and homeless animals?
yes Yes YES!!! Rescue the babies, they give more love back then we ever give them !!!!
I admit I have bought dogs before when my local humane society didn’t have what I wanted. My last two dogs though I got at my local animal shelter. They are great dogs I will never go to another private owner again. I heard about a lady that bought a Frenchie for three thousand dollars. That’s crazy!! I just thought of how many dogs she could have helped with that money. Love your blog hope you have many more adventures. Good luck on finding your new home.
I know. I recognise this. I truly am uncomfortable with folks that continue to support the trade. So many out there that need love. I would love to rescue them all.
The truth is things can’t be the same. Ever! I have tried. I said to myself it is not dog’s fault too but every time I see abandoned animal I remember my friends who bought a new pet and it hurts me all over again.
We have a rescue dog. We got her when she was about six months old. I have had purebreds in the past but this fur baby is the best companion I’ve ever had. Rescues make the best breeds ever
Soooo perfectly said. I can’t even believe that people do it at all, but to even admit it is just rude. Thank you for all you and Boy Person and the precious boys have done!! ❤❤❤❤🐾🐾
All my pets have been rescued. Either from a shelter or people who did not deserve them. The last pet that was bought was a goldfish for my daughter. Peter lived for eighteen years. Animals come to my house, they are well loved, and they know it!
I bought my first golden retreiver Amber in 1984 from a puppy mill. I did not know this at the time but as she experienced several bone growth issues which culminated in having her put to sleep at 8 months old, my vet encouraged me to file a complaint with the Canadian Kennel Club which I did. However the breeder “gave” me another puppy against the advice of my vet. His name was Nashville. He was followed closely by my vet and at 6 months was diagnosed with moderate hip dysplasia. He was operated on at 7 years and lived til he was 10. Did he have a good life? Yes I believe he did albeit not one without pain and I loved my Nash with everything I had. I learned a lesson from these 2 dogs and that was from the point after Nash passed on I would never buy from a breeder. I have had 7 dogs since and they all came from rescue groups. Young and old! Each one of them teaches me something about love and trust and acceptance. Thank you for what you do in spite of the sadness and despair you witness. Change takes a long time to come but I believe it can! Bless you and your crew.
I totally agree. The only price I’ve ever paid for a dog is an adoption fee. I have five rescue dogs and I keep thinking there’s room for one more. I have a senior dog that I keep gated off from the others when I go to work because I know they get a little crazy when
I’m gone. We have a fenced in yard with a doggy door for them. Was thinking another senior dog would work to keep my Jake company. We do a lot of doggy classes and dog events with dog groups we belong to, many who have the purchased purebred dogs. I consider these folks my friends but not as close as the ones with the saved or rescue dogs. I often think I’m being foolish for thinking this way, so it’s nice to know I’m not alone. I too agree that I’m not a perfect purebred person, so I don’t think I need that in my dogs. They love me and I love them and that’s all that matters. Going to take two now to a pet fest at our local feed and pet store. They’re will be adoptable dogs there, so who knows. Then I’m going to try taking one of my smaller dogs kayaking on a nearby lake. Wish me luck.
I feel the same…I am a foster mom for rescue pets…. who also works hours and hours on fundraising…..It hurts my feelings when people do not adopt!
Do you feel the same way when a friend posts about their new human baby? Does it hurt that they chose to have a child that’s all theirs and carries no additional challenges from past families, instead of adopting one of the 23,000 kids that ages out of the system every year?
Adopting dogs is wonderful and an incredible choice. And there are sadly many terrible and irresponsible breeders out there, but there are also many responsible and incredible breeders who work tirelessly to raise healthy puppies that are well socialized and start training early to avoid the behavioral issues that are so commonly the reason that people end up abandoning their dogs.
And the demand for rescue dogs is actually extremely high – which is why so many are being brought in from other countries. Rescues are also a major buying demographic from auctions, because they have people looking to adopt and they need to keep up with the demand.
Hi Kelsey. Appreciate your reply. But two separate issues. And I implore you to visit 48 shelters as we did and see if you still believe there is a high demand for rescues.
I feel so strongly the same. I try to communicate that to everyone I hear that expresses a desire for a pet. Go the shelter go to a rescue please give these animals a chance. Rescue dogs and shelter dogs do often have baggage but who doesn’t. Make a difference!
All my babies are rescued!! I feel the same way. I feel like we have so many babies that need homes why go BUY one when one is waiting for you now. It makes me sad to think about how many babies need a home after all the hurricanes. I wish I had a bigger yard….
I will never buy a dog from a store. All of our dogs are and have been rescues. They all have been wonderful dogs. They all have been grateful for having a good loving home. Rescues will always be my breed of choice!
Truth! I have changed my way of looking at those who buy their pets at a store. I have a difficult time accepting that choice. And I am with you, Rachel, especially after this year of traveling you’ve all done. I question my friends’ love for me in those actions. Harsh? Maybe, but when I look at my two new, used dogs and The happiness that surrounds them now, I can’t feel any other way. They were discarded like trash and I am so thankful we found each other 💕
I rescued both mine they has problems were going to be put down I said no I’ll take them been very happy I love them both could stand living with out them
I feel the same way when someone announces that their pets having babies. I know their excited but there’s so many animals that need z home no one needs to breed their pet. We have 2 rescues that are the best dogs in the world and I honestly think before you buy an animal you should have to go through a process similar to what you do when you rescue or adopt. There would be fewer animal bred and people who did get them wouldn’t be rejoining them or giving them up because it wouldn’t be that instant thing. They’d have to work for them. That’s my rant for the day sorry it was so long