Who is to Blame for "Dog Dumping " at Animal Shelters?
Dog Breeders or Dog Owners?
What are dog breeders if not dog owners? They are both. Breeders sell dogs to anyone. Breeders view the buying of one of their animals as a transaction. Breeders do not screen for good owners, rather, if you present a breeder with payment, you have yourself a dog.
What happens if the person who purchased the dog is unaware of the obstacles and responsibilities involved in having a dog be a part of his or her family? What happens if the dog becomes sick and the owner does not have the finances to provide medical care? What happens if the new owner is uneducated in proper animal care? Proper animal training?
What happens if the buyer just wanted a dog to participate in dog fights?
Breeders get the money and that is it. They do not adequately screen nor do they conduct reference checks on potential buyers.
How is this safe for a dog? How is this in the best welfare of the dog?
Imagine a person spending upwards of $800.00 on a puppy (or more), only to not have the wherewithal to get training for the puppy and the puppy starts behaving inappropriately? The person becomes frustrated and takes the animal to an animal shelter or animal control. Some have been known to just toss the animal outside. That is not just on the shoulders of the dog owner, but the breeder as well.
Breeders should breed for the love of the breed, which implies the love of the animal. That, to me, means educating potential owners of a breeder's dog to do whatever is necessary to assure the puppy will be in the proper home.
Do you realize how many puppy mills are out there? And in what horrendous condition the canines are living in? Filth, neglect, improper nutrition and lack of socialization- just to name a few.
There are some excellent breeders out there that do take what is best for the dog into consideration before agreeing to sell the canine to someone, but they are very few in number compared with the multitude of backyard breeders that are everywhere.
Laws are not geared to ensure breeders take better care of their animals or that they need to conduct screening and reference checks prior to transaction.
Without laws, this will go on and more dogs will be tossed away for a better one. The cycle will not end until changes are made with the breeders and how they conduct business.
More and more people will be disillusioned with their expensive and perfect dog when problems arise; dumping them at shelters is the result. If someone pays for a dog, then they want a great dog. That is not a guarantee. To have a great dog, a person needs to be a great owner.
Published by Lori Piper
Co- Director of South Texas Persian Rescue and all around animal lover. View profile
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23 Comments
Post a CommentExcellent article. It's sad how many animals are dumped and abandoned. Unlike people, they're forgiving and provide unconditional love and affection. They deserve FAR better treatment. My ex sister-in-law has adopted a few dogs that were given up by breeders because they were too old to produce and make money. They were going to be euthanized even though they were healthy. Those people should be ashamed of themselves. Anyone who would do that doesn't really love their animals and shouldn't be allowed to have them. As you can tell, it really infuriates me. My ex SIL found homes for those dogs, and I'm sure she will continue to save them. I would if I could, but I live in an apt. God help all of the homeless pets everywhere, and shame on the people who dump them.
You said it... I have 7 dogs. all are spayed or neutered. Which is something good dog owners will do. Breeding animals for mere profit is just another type of slavery. Man's best friend doesn't deserve to be thrown away like trash, just because the dog wont listen. It's like you said a good dog is the product of a good owner.
Excellent piece...my heart breaks for all unwanted and unloved dogs. I am going to hug my two right now.
Great article. I really think that more needs to be done to ensure that breeders are not selling dogs to just anyone.
I got 5 dogs, 3 were pure bred, 2 adopted mixes. We only buy from reputable breeders that work with vets...they are a bit more expensive than those coming from mills but they are well cared for. As far as our adopted ones from SPCA, they are sweethearts. I really think there should be a law to protect these animals, it may be more $$$ for those who would want to buy a pet, but they can be assured that they will get pets that went through the necessary check ups with the vets.
Thank you for highlighting the problem of dog breeders. With between 3,000,000 and 4,000,000 adoptable animals being killed in America's shelters each year for lack of a good home, it seems completely irresponsible to breed puppies AT ALL. You can find purebreds at most shelters, and many rescue groups work with one breed in particular...there is NEVER a good reason to buy an animal from breeder.
Very good subject. People dumping off unwanted cats and dogs infuriate me. But, the pets are probably better off in the long run, getting away from nasty, irresponsible owners. All my dogs and cats were abandoned.
I have friends who raised puppies for fun and a little profit. They house trained the pups, taught them to heel, even let them practice swimming (spaniels). I think they also got to know the clients. Not sure about that part, but they seemed to approach the whole thing very responsibly. Of course, it wasn't their real business, so they weren't after a quick buck. They just loved having puppies around.
Excellent article! Given the fact that there are animal shelters, that means there are more animals than there are homes for the animals. If people stopped allowing their dog or cat to breed, the problem would be eliminated.
This is so sad...i want to cry. I wish i could adopt all shelter dogs.