Opinions wanted *that means you*?

Question

Do you feel that it is unfair for people to breed animals on purpose and sell them for hundreds of dollars when there are so many animals in shelters all suffering at the hand of mankind? They were all wild, free and self-sustaining at one point, till man came, domestisized them and abandoned them.

Answer 1

No, I do not think it is unfair for people to breed pets on purpose when there are animals in shelters.

Do I think it is admirable to breed dogs or cats for the sole purpose of making money? No.

Not all homeless animals are suitable for every family. I think there are families that would have a very hard time finding the right companion animal if there were no breeders.

For example, many people with children prefer to get a puppy rather than adopt an adult dog with an unknown background. Here in the Northeast US you can't walk into a shelter any day of the week and just pick up a pup. Spay/neuter programs have been very successful. Some shelters even "import" puppies from other states to keep up with the demand.

There are also families that need a certain breed or type of dog and a mix puppy at the shelter is a surprise package that can yield a size, coat or temperment which does not mesh with the family. Picture a couch-potato family with a wired border collie mix. Bad for both.

I believe responsible breeding has its place---puppy mills and ignorant backyard breeders disgust me. A responsible breeder has a goal for the litter (a reason to breed the two dogs) does health clearances on both parents, shows/competes with their dogs to be sure they are superior specimens of the breed, and takes responsibility for the puppies for the rest of their lives.

Good breeders will not only take a dog back, many volunteer with rescue groups to help take care of the dogs bought from bad breeders and then dumped by their families.

A responsible breeder even puts it in the puppy contract that they have the right to check up on the dog and if you are mistreating it, they have the right to take the dog back. The buyer must pay any legal costs incurred.

The puppy contract may even say that if you cannot keep the dog it must be returned to the breeder. I have seen a contract that has a $5,000 penalty written into it if a family does not keep a dog and gives it away/sells it/ brings it to shelter, etc.

How many shelters penalize you if they find out you dumped your dog/cat somewhere?

As for animals being wild and free---yes and no. The ones that were domesticated found it helpful to hang around our successful hunter/gatherer forebearers. There are advantages to being domesticated and the ancestors of our current pets realized that a warm fire, shelter and a reliable supply of food was a good thing.

As for abandoning them---I am opposed to that. But some people stink. They abandon their pets, their children, their elderly. They walk out on debts, damage things that aren't theirs, and bully other people.

Humans can be bad, but they can also be good. I try to look for the good wherever I can.

I have volunteered at a shelter and fostered kittens. I adopted a dog the shelter said they would put down and rescue group would not take (they told me about him, though). I have volunteered for a greyhound rescue group and helped re-home ex-racers.

I have also bought a purebred dog because I had some very specific things I wanted in a dog and I wanted a puppy because I have children.

Am I evil or bad because I bought my dog? I don't think so. He's perfect for our family. His activity level matches ours, he doesn't aggravate my allergies, his health is good, his temperament is fantastic and he is just a great dog. I also know that if I drop dead tomorrow his breeder would make sure he always had a home.

When my kids are older would I adopt a homeless dog? Absolutely. I would probably try to find one through my breeder or a breed rescue group, though.

So that's my opinion---well mostly for dogs. I won't address cats because I guess I don't see as many breed differences in cats (just color and coat) and there are always tons of cats and kittens for adoption here.

Answer 2

Yes , I Hate It When The So Called "Owners" Keep Them In Devastating Conditions And Breed Them , Then Sell The Puppies ( As You Said ) For Hundreads Of Dollars ( £ ) . Recently I Was On The Dogs Trust Website And Seen Something I Have Never Heard Of , Puppy Farming. I Read The Story About One Puppy And I Was Nearly Crying By The End Of It ! I Wish It Could Stop.
In Spain There Is Alot Of Dogs Running Around The Streets.We Seen One And It Was Like A Chuwawa* But It Had Fleas And Was Dreadfully Skinny.

Answer 3

Yes I think that it is wrong to breed for profit.
Every pet we have ever bought has been from either a animal shelter like the Humane Society or a no kill shelter.
We never buy "pure breeds" and have always had furry familt members.
Whenyou rescue an animal, they know what you did for them and they are eternally greatfull, and make a great addition to a family.
I wish everyone would adopt more, to save more lives.
Humans are sick and sad!

Answer 4

Personally, yes. Spay and neuter people! :) So many inexperienced breeders breed these wonderful puppies and unsuccessfully sell them to proper owners or abandon them. It breaks my heart every time I visit the shelter. I've already adopted three pets; 2 ABPT's & a cat. They make it "difficult" because they want what's best for the animal.

There's so much more you can do for animals left at shelters, guys. It really means so much to them.

Answer 5

Thats not unfair. If you want to blame the euthanasia epidemic on any class or group of people, blame it on consumers, the people who go out and pay hundreds of dollars for their perfect puppy. It's not something that will be changed either, because many people will never buy a pound animal, because they don't know whats so great about them. Educate. :)

Answer 6

Reputable breeders do not do it for money nor do they make any. They do it to better the breed they love. The hundreds they charge just barely cover all their expenses.

Backyard breeding however should be illegal.

Answer 7

absolutely, lik people shouldn't breed their dog, bcuz the puppies would be sooo cute. breeding should be left to the breeders. i agree with breeders breeding, but the things i don't agree with are breeders who do "overactive" breeding, if you know what i mean, and puppy mills, and such.
there are way too many shelter dogs, and they need to be adopted first in my opinion

Answer 8

Yes it is. or the shelters should make it easier to adopt. They put so many restrictions on adopting a dog when you can buy a dog anywhere no matter who you are.

Answer 9

It may not seem fair but that is how our country works. It would be better if people went to shelters, but those with money can afford anything.

Answer 10

Yes I do. I know people that have purchased from breeders, but I disagree with it. A dog is a dog! Give a dog a home before you create more dogs!