Morals VS Money...You've just been laid off...?

Question

You've been 'laid off' from a great job and there's no work in sight. You've exhausted all your resources and unemployment is giving you a hassle about your claim. You have the usual debts, mortgage, cars, credit cards, spouse and children to care for. You have access through a casual friend to several Maltese, a couple of Poodles, and a Yorkshire Terrier. All are intact and in fact, the girls are already in heat. They're a real steal- but they don't have papers, only minimal shots, and your acquaintence laughs when you ask about soundness testing. Do you snatch these dogs up and breed them? The holidays will be here sooner than you realize and "Designer Puppies" would be great sellers. You could probably make enough to pay the bills for a few months AND put gifts under the tree.

Do you do it?

Why or why not? As usual, thanks for the input- every opinion counts- I don't delete or report what I don't agree with...

Uh...Willow? By 'real steal' I mean they're a bargain...they're cheap...

Thanks for keeping me in line, Tony....You are the voice of morality, a true expert! And Good Afternoon to you!

Basset and Nekkid Doglady...Let's say for the sake of argument, that the timing was right for Xmas pups. This is, of course a hypothetical situation and I'm just testing the waters to see what folks will do in a crisis.

Cindy- just a touch of realism, you see, to heighten the excitement. We of course know what I would do in the situation. This was merely a test of the human psyche to see what others would do. At what point does one sacrifice any morals one has? Seems to me, that as usual, all the white hats are out to answer and the bad guys are sulking at home, hating me and trying to figure out why my question should be deleted. But folks like you make it all worth it....

Nandina- the more of your answers I see the more I like you. Black market babies, hmmmm..... I happen to know this pregnant chick....

Answer 1

No I wouldn't.
I live in Canada, so...
If I have been working with that great job for a year or more, then I'd just apply for Employment Insurance (EI), or I'd just go on welfare for a while. I'd make crafts, quits, and other homemade stuff, and sell them at the annual Christmas bizzare. The tables at the bizzare don't cost that much, and I'd probably sell all my stuff and make more money that way than I would with selling those puppies.
I have never been in this situation, but I have seen families in my town be in the same situation that you just described.

Answer 2

No. I have to live with myself as well as how I raise pups... the price of feeding them and caring for them correctly costs $$$$... and there is no real promise of even breaking even.

I've nearly quit breeding because if I cannot do it right, I'd rather not do it at all.

Right now I'm in a dither because I have to breed a b*tch I wasn't planning on breeding for another year. She's been successfully treated for a case of pyometria but HAS to be bred her next season ... and I won't be ready to train another Service Dog for at least a year... so despite the fact that her pups will be sold for $1800-$2000 each and I might actually make money this time if everything goes well ( big if!!!) I STILL am only breeding her because I have to... mostly in the hopes that she'll still be intact and breedable in 18 mos or 2 years when I am ready to train another Service Dog. ( She has good genetics, rare bloodline, superb working temperament, beautiful structure and produces really phenomenal working dogs.. so I'd rather not just spay her)

Most money I ever made on a litter was 19 cents an hour... I can pick up soda cans alongside the road and make more than that.

Answer 3

No dogs should not be bred for sport, or for cash. The shelters are over run with pets that need good homes. Designer Puppies usually end up in the shelters anyway when the newness wears off and the poor thing does not potty train as well as they expected or does not fetch or needs some special medicine. I have two beautiful Papillons that I rescued for a shelter I had another she was a puppy mill dog poor old girl died of cancer just this year, but at least she was loved for one year out of her life. It took a year for my boy to come out of his kennel he was so frightened now he is my constant companion and tells me when ever he needs a special treat or love. No I would find another way to make my money. Perhaps you could do some wood work or build a few dog houses or get some leather and braid up some nice leashes. You are good with dogs do some training. People really need help with that!

Answer 4

Purely as a practical matter, it wouldn't fly.

First off, even if all of the b*tches are in season right this minute, they won't HAVE the puppies until after Christmas, and won't be ready to go until February (if I sell them early at 6 weeks). Even if I'm skimping on care, medical and food, I still have to feed these suckers until then. Plus pay for the purchase of these dogs. By the time I actually get a profit out of them, I'm sure I could find a real job instead.

Personally, I'd rather take ANY job than sink so low.

And to echo Loki, the reason I haven't had a litter in 3 years is because things are tight financially.

EDIT: Still no good, you're looking at 4 months before you get any money out of them, in the meantime they're costing you money. You could starve/lose your house/whatever by then.

Even if cutting corners and not doing it right, breeding dogs requires some outlay.

Answer 5

I've been in a desperate situation before, several years ago. It was due to a job loss, medical bills...nearly ten thousand dollars worth, with the need for continued medical care and the threat of losing our home...which happened. I never did or never will resort to becoming a byb or miller. Why not? The simple answer, it's irresponsible...they're not shoes that can be bought, tossed around and thrown out. I couldn't cut corners when it concerns a life...I wouldn't make a profit. Plus, so many dogs (young & old) are dying in shelters and rescues are often full. There are many ways to make money, but not all are right. It can be done in legal and ethical ways.

Answer 6

no I do not. For quite a few reasons, one I would have to live with myself afterward. Two consitering the cost of a caesarian and shots/deworming and food, cleaning supplies ect how much would I really make? That coupled with if I didnt sell the pups what then? I now have more mouths to feed and they are most likely sickly dogs and pups that I contributed to. I would find a job wrapping gifts, mickey d's, waitressing ect. As it is right now money is tight with us and looks like I am going back to being a Pharmacy tech again only not at Walgreens like before now at walmart which is 50cents less than what I made at Walgreens (although enough to pay the bills and more than many people make so I shouldnt complain).And finally, the pups are living breathing lives.....I could never do that. I shudder to think of who would.

Answer 7

I wouldn't do it. If I were that hard up why would I put myself in a position to possibly have to pay out for c-sections and more by breeding? I would worry about the mouths I already had to feed without taking on more.

There are plenty of jobs around if people really want them. Even if it is minimum wage it's better than nothing. I have worked more than one job at one point I was working 2 minimum wage full time jobs as well as having kids. I had no other option, in the past to help make ends meet. If the case came up again I could and would do it again.

Answer 8

No.

I don't agree with the statement "no work in sight". YES THERE IS!! It might be unpleasant work, but there are ALWAYS jobs available.

Call centres, fast food outlets etc are always recruiting.

It's possibly also worth mentioning that I make a point of borrowing as little as possible. My mortgage is the only debt I currently have. Cars are bought with the money I have in my bank account (I drive a cheap car!!).

BTW - It's easier to find work if you are already in a job than if you are on the dole. Get a crappy job THEN start applying for better ones (whether you are desperate or not).

I've been unemployed. If you are not fussy, you CAN find work. ANY job would be better than raping my conscience AND setting an appalling example to my child.

Whilst I can put food on the table, I'm not poor.

Answer 9

Sure, it'd be a quick way to make a few bucks, but what happens when people start demanding refunds/registering complaints when your puppies turn out to be c**p stock? Not only that, but I just couldn't live with myself if I contributed to the pet overpopulation, especially with poorly-bred dogs. The dogs may also become more of a cost than a profit...we all know how expensive breeding dogs is, and they may be unhealthy (as evidenced by minimal shots, etc....). Interesting question, but I'd have to say a big NO!

Answer 10

Uh, no. I could not live with myself, even if I was down to mere pennies in my bank account.
What I WOULD do is take in the dogs and save up the money to have ALL of them spayed/neutered.
I would never think about putting my financial needs ahead of my own personal morales.
I would be so freaking worried about what could go wrong with any number of these pregnancies, not to mention would the dogs even sell!
I will absolutely, no matter what, NEVER add to the dog overpopulation, and breeding in any form does just that.

Intriguing question though.