People and pets

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People and pets

August 22, 2008 at 5:23 PM by Anouck
6 Comment(s)
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I'm a very strong advocate of adoption. I honestly for the life of me can't understand why people would pay tons of money for a purebred from a breeder, or worse, a pet store, when there are so many wonderful animals waiting to find a home in shelters across the country. These dogs and cats never asked for their fate, most of the time they have been discarded by their previous owners, who "thought they were such cute puppies/kittens", but couldn't handle a full grown pet. Or rather, didn't want to. There ARE no bad animals, just bad owners.

Remember 1001 Dalmatians? People ran out to get dalmations after that movie came out, only to discover that once their precious little puppy grew up, he really was just "too much trouble". People buy animals on impulse all the time, without even once thinking about the responsibilities. A pet is not a possession, a pet needs love, nurturing, training, time, and will cost you some money in vet bills along the line. If you don't think you can handle that, for god's sake, get a stuffed animal.

Anyway, back to my original rant. Most of those cute puppies and kittens you see in pet stores come from animal mills. Their mothers are caged their entire lives, and are made to have litter after litter until they're too old or too sick. Then, they usually just get tossed aside and ignored until they die, or just flat out killed. Most of these animals have been exposed to all sorts of diseases, because of the bad hygiene in places like that. A lot of them also have inbreeding related problems, because puppy mill owners don't hesitate to breed mothers with sons, as long as they keep churning out those cute little pups. I realize there are reputable breeders out there too, but if you insist on a specific breed, why not look into rescue societies for that breed? The animal overpopulation is growing every day, I guess I just can't understand why people would contribute to that, instead of trying to reduce the number.

All the pets I've ever owned have been rescues or (with my cats) feral, and all of them have been nothing short of wonderful. Yes, even the fighting pit I stole from some drug dealer's back yard. Animals give back what you give them, if you love them and take care of them, they will do anything for you. And rescue animals ESPECIALLY will be grateful to you for giving them a better life, and you will be rewarded beyond your expectations, if you just have the patience and love they need and deserve.

So am I judgemental when it comes to this issue? Yeah, I guess you could say I am. This is not about politics, or breastfeeding, or any of that stuff. This is about living, breathing creatures who deserve so much better than they're getting.

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Written by Anouck on August 22, 2008 at 5:23 PM
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Comments:

AMEN. I always see two big excuses on this site when people say they want to go to a breeder instead of a rescue. One is "But I want a puppy/kitten!" Anyone who says that has obviously never even set foot inside a shelter. Puppies and kittens are not just sooo dang cute that they are immune to this crisis situation of pet overpopulation. Shelters and even breed specific rescues are at most times teeming with puppies and kittens of all colors and breeds. Second is "Well I wouldn't trust the temperment of an adult dog or a puppy I know nothing about." This again is bunk. If I wanted a dog that I was confident would be good around my children, I would contact a rescue who not only has extensively temperment tested all animals in the program but that has had all of their animals living in privitized foster homes where they already have been exposed to children, dogs, cats, etc. on a daily basis. When you adopt an adult dog, you get what you get. They're not going to change. A puppy from a breeder could turn out to have a multitude of temperment or behavioral problems just as much as any other animal and if you think they can't then you're just lulling yourself into a very false sense of security. Okay sorry I ranted off of your rant.

Great post!

aurorabunny Aug. 22, 2008 at 5:35 PM

Don't be sorry, you added some very valuable points I forgot to mention in my journal!

Anouck Aug. 22, 2008 at 5:41 PM

As a dog trainer and former breeder of Golden Retrivers and German Shepherds, I must applaud this post. I reiterate that I am a FORMER breeder mainly because of the reasons enumerated above, and the last nine years I have served as a caretaker for elderly or abused rescued dogs who need special care. It's appalling, some of the things I've seen. I always encourage those who are looking for a specific breed to go to a rescue society for that breed, and for the many many people who are looking for a puppy for their child, I recommend adopting a puppy or young dog from a shelter or from a mixed-breed local litter, volunteering my services to help them choose a dog with the proper temperament and help them with training and troubleshooting tips.

I was a responsible breeder, but I could see that my talents were better applied to help animals in need.

Fistandantalus Aug. 22, 2008 at 5:41 PM

I have my own reasons I got a cat from a breeder, aside from anything mentioned above, and I do definitely consider my reasons valid, but I'm also a breeder snob. I expect them to do A, B, C, D and so on with the animals, and with the potential owners, or I hate them.
What I can't stand more than anything is puppy mills, but especially, people who buy a cat or dog, then let it run around in the neighborhood and think it's CUTE when they get pregnant... and then of course, those babies end up either advertised in the paper or in a box as "Free to a Good Home" or worse, abandoned... and then they go on to breed even more. Over 300,000 animals euthanized every year, and puppies from a stray are still cute?! No, not at all.

RanaAurora Aug. 22, 2008 at 9:28 PM

The State of Wisconsin (where I live) Humane Society recently purchased a puppy mill!

Here's a link for more http://www.nowisconsinpuppymills.com/havens-alert.html

I think it awesome of them to do that!!!

emf6874 Aug. 22, 2008 at 10:48 PM

I'm a "mutt" girl, in that I get my dogs for free, often when no one else will take them on, or just for the cost of spay/neuter or adoption fees. I like my dogs quirky and unique, and mutts are just that.

Gruntlings Aug. 25, 2008 at 6:36 PM