What annoys you most about/are you annoyed by the "adopt, don't shop" people on YA?

Question

Plain and simple: Are you annoyed by the people who promote adoption over buying? What about them annoys you. Most detail will most likely get the best answer. Please elaborate as much as possible. I would love to hear everyones opinions.

NOT a black saint bernard: I see your point, but must argue with you on one thing. I very much doubt that EVERYONE knows about rescues. The majority of American doesn't even understand puppy mills.

Wow! Some REALLY great answers! I can't wait to pick the best answer- I'm going to have one heck of a hard time doing so.

Just to make things clear, I am a pro-adoption person. I understand some people are in need of a purebred, but there is little to no point in some completely ignorant dog owners having a purebred family pet when there are dogs dying in shelters.

Answer 1

Hello,
This is a very taboo thing to be asking, however I will give you my honest two cents worth.

Very rarely when looking for a new dog for the next 10-20 years will we just get anything.
This is a long process for us to determine what kind of dog is going to fit in here with all our other critters the kids etc.

Nothing is wrong with adopting a critter, if one does not care what kind of dog is coming into there home. Frankly the dog at the pound are there for a reason. Most of the time someone wanted a cute puppy and did not have the brains to realize puppies grow up. Christmas time or other holidays are dreadful for these cute puppies. I truly feel if people were told or made to put down there own critter that people would think before taking a dog or anything else to a pound.

Back on topic.
We will buy our next dog. We buy puppies, we train this pup to be a long term part of our family, therefor we want what we want and will pay the price. We are long term people who if we move our dogs come with us. We will not live where our critters are not welcome. We will buy or move into a place that is not as nice or whatever just to have our critters with us (usually we have to buy a place).

I have noticed those who adopt are not these kinds of people in general, there are exceptions. But taking a dog or any critter in out of pitty is not the way to go and these people do not think long term. There is also this "clique" that people who adopt feel they are a part of. We are better then you because we adopted, this is about the only thing some of these people have going for them. Adopting a grown dog is not a option for us, we tried it. We will not try it again.

Then lets talk about the qualifications of adopting a critter from the pound. Our pound we have all one needs is the money in your hand. However most pounds there is a process. When a older teen looking for a pup, I went to one of these city pounds. One look at me and they would not allow me a pup. So fine I found one on my own and I had that dog for years, up until she passed on. Got her all her shots, spayed and she worked on ranches and farms with me, was there when I got married, had kids. Boy did that pound worker make a mistake turning me away.

We are also not breeders in any fashion. If the papers are included in the price this is fine, if not this is fine

Answer 2

I only have a problem with people who try to guilt me for supporting a responsible breeder and wanting to buy a dog from them. I think that the idea to "adopt till there are none" is over simplifying the issue IMO. As long as the breeder is working to improve the breed and keep healthy and stable lines alive I think it is as good a choice as adopting in most cases.Good breeders will not sell to uneducated owners, and have spay/neuter contracts and want right of first refusal if a dog needs to be re-homed. The good kind don't "fill" our shelters with unwanted dogs.

I used to work in two different SPCA shelters, both in very large cities. I can tell you that the little breeds went very fast, and the competition for them was big, so many people who tried to adopt small dogs in those areas had trouble finding one at all. Puppies are even more difficult to find at times, and some breeds are not common in shelters.

Why should people be guilted for trying to adopt if they tried and failed, should they wait a year, two years, forever to find a good match for them? Why should someone be given links to puppy mill sites and heartrending shelter videos just because the *gasp* want a purebred dog from stable lines and want to ask about how to find a good breeder and questions to ask them? I agree that adoption and breed rescues should be looked at first, but I think some people on YA try to brow beat nice people who are doing their homework and want a quality breeder, and sometimes they are just way too nasty about it. That is hurting their position in my opinion, as it makes them sound like fanatics who hate pure breed dogs. I think that if the only place to buy a dog was through a great breeder, very few homeless dogs would be out there to adopt in the first place.

To say not to breed at all, ever, till every shelter dog has a home is like telling people to never have a biological child until every orphan has a home. You need to come at problems like pet overpopulation and owners who dump their dogs from all angles, not just one side. It is not an all or nothing solution we need, it is more complicated then that. Ranting and rudeness and making people feel bad for wanting the dog breed they know and love is not ok, calling a person a POS 'cause they want a puppy from a breed that suits them best is crossing the line.

Just my opinion and FYI, I have 3 cats, 1 dog, all are rescues. I have not bought an animal from a breeder in my life.

Answer 3

Wow! I am one of those people who promotes adopting over buying some crap "designer" mutt, or some poorly bred pet store dog. It is the responsible thing to do. I also think that if someone has a need for a well-bred dog to work or to show, that they need to go to a reputable breeder to get what they want. Obviously a shelter dog won't do in those cases. I don't believe that all shelter dogs are perfect. In fact, I believe the opposite. Poor breeding and poor ownership put them there, and they all come with some baggage. However, this does not in any way make them less deserving of a home. Those who don't promote rescue for the average dog owner, what is YOUR agenda?????

So, NOT a Black St. Bernard, we are not all evil people trying to eradicate breeders. We are trying to find our way back to responsible breeding and dog ownership the best we can. I can only hope you will help and not condemn because of a few people who are obsessive.

Answer 4

No I'm not annoyed by people who buy dogs as long as they've done their research, talked with breeders, and are actually commited to finding a well bred dog produced by a reputable breeder. It's the people who are buying "designer" breeds from petshops that really irk me and test my patience. It's the people who "just don't care". It's the people who are irresponsible and the people who know nothing about dogs and don't want to know anything about dogs. They just want to have that dog in TV. They don't care that shelter dogs die. They would rather have that "doodle".

A person that wants a certain breed to either compete with or show in obedience, tracking, or even search and rescue have a right to buy a dog. They know what to expect when they go out and buy a dog from a reputable breeder who breeds to better the breed. A breeder who works with their dogs, shows their dogs, and uses their dogs for what they were bred for. These individuals buy their dogs because they cannot find what they need at a shelter. And you know why? Because the dogs that they are looking for don't end up in shelters. They are returned to the responsible breeder.

Now adoption is a great option for families who are looking for a pet. A dog that their kids can play with or a dog that they can go jogging with etc. For others who are looking for a certain trait in a dog they may not be able to find the right dog at a shelter. For example a person who wants a high energy high drive working dog wants just that. They want a well bred dog with stamina and high drive. They need to know that the dog has what it takes. A person looking for an eccentric working dog that can compete in almost any dog sport might be perfect for a working Border Collie. Sometimes you just can't find what you're looking for at a shelter. But for the everyday pet owner I think adoption is wonderful.

ADD: People who ask the standards of a "lhasapoo" are the type of people who annoy and anger me.

We need to educate people and let them know about puppymills, petstores, BYBs etc. The only problem is that the people who are buying these puppies just don't want to know and we can't make them do what's right.

ADD2: I am also active in breed rescue and work at an animal shelter, but I will stand behind a responsible breeder any day. I promote adoption whenever possible, but I respect the people who are seeking a certain breed. Even at breed rescues certain people cannot find what they're looking for. We need responsible breeders who breed to better a breed. We need these breeders to conserve the aspects of a breed. Without responsible breeders the quality of dogs would go down hill and it would go down quickly.

Answer 5

I think adopting is a fine place to get a pet, and people who adopt are doing a good thing.

However, I dislike when people think that buying a dog in any way, shape, or form is horrible. I can respect their decision to get a shelter dog, so why can't they respect my decision to buy from a reputable breeder?

When I get a dog, I like to know what I'm getting. I want to know what to expect for the the size, temperament, activity level, potential health issues, etc. This lets me get a dog that fits my lifestyle the best.

Your expenses for the dog don't end when you purchase the animal itself. I personally would rather pay a few more hundred dollars up front to get a dog I know came from parents that had all the proper health and genetic testing done. To me, it's very much worth it to pay the cost up-front instead of having thousands of dollars in vet-bills down the line due to surgeries, etc. that the dog may end up needing due to poor breeding. I do agility so it's important for me to have a sound dog.

I have absolutely nothing against people having shelter dogs or mutts as pets. (Although I don't believe they should be purposely bred, nor should sub-par quality purebreds be purposely bred.) I just have my reasons for choosing to get a purebred dog from a reputable breeder.

Good places to get a dog:
- reputable breeder
- breed rescue group
- animal shelter
Bad places to get a dog:
- puppymill
- petstore (petstores sell puppymill puppies)
- backyard breeder

(P.S. I got my cat from the animal shelter.)
.

Answer 6

I'm not sure what your point is.

I happen to be one of those annoying "Adopt don't shop" people.

I also happen to be one of those horrible "spay & neuter" nazis.

So I guess I don't get the prized best question... :-(

If someon wants a purebred dog for whatever reason then sure, they should go to a reputable breeder.

If they just want a housepet or companion then they can save a lot of hassle & $$$ by adopting a grown dog from a shelter or rescue.

I doubt any reputable breeders would be annoyed by "adopt don't shop" people.

One or two types who WOULD be annoyed leap immediately to mind...

Answer 7

The ones that annoy me are the extremists that say you HAVE to adopt or you are a bad person. I agree with some of the other people that if you are going to buy from a resposible breeder and not going to buy a "designer dog" then buying a dog is fine. If you are wanting a "chipoo" or a "labradoodle" then got the shelter and adopt one.

Answer 8

I an not annoyed by people who promote adoption of dogs over buying them. What makes me mad are irresponsible breeders who don't worry about the health of their animals and breed sick puppies to sell. What makes me made are the thousands of dogs and puppies that are put down every year because there are no homes for them.

Answer 9

The way I feel is if you want a full breed dog then buy one but if you are going to get a mix breed why pay out a lot of your money for one when they are hundreds that are getting killed every day in shelters who are these same mixed breeds people are paying top dollar for from these people who say they have a special breed

Answer 10

I do buy all three of my shelties. The original purpose is for show purposes. I have nothing against buying dogs. When people buy dogs, they purchase mutts or so called "designed dogs", why bother spending all these money to buy a mutt instead of adopting from shelters? That's the part I don't understand.