It’s that time of year when people start to think about bringing a furry friend into their lives. What is better than a puppy or kitten under the Christmas tree? As long as everyone knows what is in store for this pet you are committing to for a lifetime, we think pets as gifts are kind of the best kind of present.
Some people in rescue are completely anti-breeder. While we understand where they are coming from, we actually like breeders. We appreciate purebred dogs as much as the mutts and understand we must have breeders in order to have our Frenchies and Mini Aussies. So, we like breeders. But we only like the responsible ones, the ones who are in it for the dogs. Responsible breeders produce a limited number of litters and their demand far outweighs their supply. They have waiting lists for their puppies; they do not need to advertise in newspapers or on the side of the road or the worst place- Facebook. Responsible breeders breed for health, looks, and behavior. Sadly, most breeders are not this kind. Most breeders are backyard or garage breeders whose motivation is to make money off of dogs. There are very few reasons to breed a dog. It is a fallacy that a dog has the drive to become a mother or that breeding reduces the risk of cancer. You will not get a little clone by breeding your beloved dog. Puppy mills and backyard breeders do nothing but contribute to the number of homeless and unwanted pets who get euthanized by the thousands each day, while making money off of unknowing buyers.
While it seems tempting to buy a little puppy off of Facebook or a newspaper ad, we beg you to not. If you are looking for a specific breed, there are breed-specific rescues. We admit, finding a Frenchie or Mini Aussie in a rescue does take patience and diligence. Usually the rescues have piles of applications. But it is so worth the wait.
If you decide to purchase a dog from a breeder. Please be sure it is a reputable one. Do your research. Make sure the breeder is licensed. Visit the premises to make sure you are comfortable with the conditions the animals are in. One thing many people try to do is “save” a dog from a situation if it is less than ideal. This can actually have a negative effect. While people try to “rescue” puppies from backyard breeders or puppy mills, it is actually funding the business and allows them to continue to breed litter after litter of diseased, sick, and terribly unhappy, mistreated animals. Do not make it worth their while. Support responsible breeders or rescues this holiday season. Then you can have the confidence knowing you made a difference in supporting healthy and positive animal welfare and organizations.