[3GSD4IPO]

While we are getting a constant reminder to "adopt don't shop" by various entities. Meanwhile, in the US, breeders of purpose bred dogs are being maligned by the media and legislation is being promoted by Animal Rights organizations making breeding dogs difficult or impossible (even at the hobby level).

When I see a LITTER of Golden Retriever puppies "advertised" as being "rescued" from the Dog Meat Trade in Korea or China I remember PT Barnum stating "There is a sucker born every minute." Foreign "rescue" dogs also have the ability to bring disease into (the US in my case) that is unique to dogs here who have no immunity to strains endemic to the country of origin.

When you decide to "adopt don't shop" I HIGHLY recommend that you go to your local animal SHELTER or POUND and NOT to some "rescue." Rescues have become big business. The mantra that there are "many purebred dogs" in the shelter has, in recent years, become a myth. My local shelters have one type of dog and that type is Pit or Pit Mix. Rarely you might see a hound.. but it is rare. Why? When a dog comes in that is NOT a pit mix, the dog is immediately taken by a breed specific rescue and the price you pay is inflated hugely.

A recent discussion with an acquaintance is they went to the local shelters. Their insurance company will not cover Pit Mix dogs and the shelters only offered those dogs for adoption. She then went to a rescue and quickly discovered the prices were as high as any pure purpose bred dog and there were no young dogs. The result was she went to a breeder and found an retired, but young dog. Trained and in the prime of life.. a perfect match and the price was actually less. The dog had its health tests done (the breeder wanted hips and elbows certified for soundness in sport competition) and the dog was already spayed. In addition, the dog had extensive training.

In the end, wherever you get a dog, it is ALL shopping. You bought a dog and it is not much different than buying clothes.. even from a second hand store.

Rescues are BIG business and the Mantra of "adopt don't shop" has made many rescue "operators" very wealthy. The following article, from 2016, explains this. No matter where you get a dog, you have purchased it. If it is NOT from your local shelter then you have likely helped someone get wealthy. Meanwhile, I know of NO dog breeders that are truly good breeders (health tests, competitive titles, genetic temperament considered, purpose of the breed and so forth going into breeding) who are "wealthy." OTOH I DO know of a few "rescue owners" who are doing far better financially than many.

For more back ground, read this. Yes it is from 2016 but it is no less poignant today than it was at the time of its writing.

Dog Trafficking: A Multi-Million Dollar Business

In every money scam, eventually there comes a tipping point in which the outrageousness of the scam overcomes the ability of the spin doctors to come up with a good story to cover their butts. Here in America we have re...

katharinedokken.com

 

[Knute]

FWIW, dogs imported into the USA need to go through a fairly rigorous screening process. Of course, any process can be circumvented with bribes and coercion.

I know the process because I recently imported my dog from mainland China. It is not a simple process. Depending on the country of origin there are different regulations and restrictions. One missed item on the pet documents can result in rejection back to country of origin or extensive quarantine with Vet health checks. This expense is all on the owner/importer of the pet.

As example, my dog underwent the following to be imported from Southern China into USA:
Preliminary Vet health check with microchip install and registration
Full documentation of all core vaccines with Rabies
Government authorized Vet exam
Screwworm inspection and documentation.
China Customs Inspection to leave China
Hong Kong Customs & Immigration inspection to enter Hong Kong
24 hour Quarantine at the border between mainland China and Hong Kong
Travel in a sealed pet carrier with Govt issued identified seals

Then on arrival in USA Customs & Immigration
Full review of all documents (including my passport)
Microchip check and verification

The process required 16 days to complete on a fast track. Normal schedule requires about 3 weeks. Many people and agencies are involved with importing pets. The process varies based on country of origin.

These requirements apply regardless of personal, breeder, show or rescue pet.

You can't just stuff the dog in a carry-on, poke it under the seat and cruise through Customs & Immigration. Most international flights are requiring non-Service animals to be in pet cargo.

This process is not inexpensive. I spent nearly $1600 USD to bring my mini-schnauzer to USA.

After going through this process, expense, logistics, headaches...... I find it a bit hard to believe there is any profit on importing dogs for sale here in USA

 

[islanddog]

No, it is not. Pretty much any blanket statement is bound to be wrong at least some of the time whether it be on the subject of adoption, breeding or training methods.

I don't mind my adoption fee being characterized as shopping; I wanted a dog of x-dimensions, age, looks, temperament and got one. However, that adoption fee was minimal in contrast to the care my dog received from the organization involved.

He was monitored since puppy hood by outreach workers, and got monthly visits, medicated baths, owner education, supplementary food, neutering, intake when his home disappeared, in-country fostering, and transport. So yes, my fee was shopping on my part (I am picky), but I doubt it even covered expenses, but the organization is far from profiting and is completely dependent on volunteers and donations. They get volunteer vets, donations in forms of goods, medications, and money. My only minimal donation was my used 'big dog' gear/toys/equipment, which was gratefully accepted; the adoption fee was more than fair, a bargain for me, a big bargain, he's awesome...

Dogs and Cats of the Dominican Republic <--list of their programs, sending unwanted dogs to people who want them is only a small part of what they do.

As for getting a local dog, keep in mind there are regional differences. My local humane society imports or rescues dogs from afar because easilly adoptable dogs are simply not available. The spay/neuter message has surpassed it needs, and an unwanted puppy or normal healthy adult dog is a rare thing. Expect to pay a non-refundable fee and 12+ months wait for a halfway decent purebred (untitled parents) if that's your thing.

As for the things you are talking about, I imagine sometimes true. There are all kinds of people on this planet. Some of them are more than kind and some of them are awful.

Let's not malign kindness by putting them into the same bucket as the awful, please.

 

[islanddog]

Vet care, forgot vetcare, oops. These people organize vet clinics, take in dogs for recovery when their people can't provide a suitable recovery environment and give them back to owners who want to keep their dog. Sonic was kept up to date on vaccinations by them when he was an owned dog. They also provide same for street dogs that are doing okay/not in immediate danger.
Thanks for giving me the excuse to go on. There are very kind people in this world.

 

[RonE]

I've had one registered dog from a line of field champion beagles, one stray I took in, two from backyard breeders (both had serious health issues and died young,) two owner-surrenders, one from a shelter and - most recently - one from a Milwaukee rescue that brings in dogs from high-skill shelters in Texas.

I'd have to say the rescue was the most "ready" of the bunch.* He was neutered, had all vaccinations and spent a month in a good foster home, where he was house-trained and spent time with the resident dog and toddler. I think I paid $350 for him. He was a bargain.

*In fairness, the stray came to me with impeccable manners and remarkably good health, considering she was apparently on the streets for some time.

 

[islanddog]

I've had one registered dog from a line of field champion beagles, one stray I took in, two from backyard breeders (both had serious health issues and died young,) two owner-surrenders, one from a shelter and - most recently - one from a Milwaukee rescue that brings in dogs from high-skill shelters in Texas.

I'd have to say the rescue was the most "ready" of the bunch.* He was neutered, had all vaccinations and spent a month in a good foster home, where he was house-trained and spent time with the resident dog and toddler. I think I paid $350 for him. He was a bargain.

*In fairness, the stray came to me with impeccable manners and remarkably good health, considering she was apparently on the streets for some time.

I've had one registered dog from a line of field champion beagles, one stray I took in, two from backyard breeders (both had serious health issues and died young,) two owner-surrenders, one from a shelter and - most recently - one from a Milwaukee rescue that brings in dogs from high-skill shelters in Texas.

I'd have to say the rescue was the most "ready" of the bunch.* He was neutered, had all vaccinations and spent a month in a good foster home, where he was house-trained and spent time with the resident dog and toddler. I think I paid $350 for him. He was a bargain.

*In fairness, the stray came to me with impeccable manners and remarkably good health, considering she was apparently on the streets for some time.

My own experience with rescues has been the same, pretty good deal. I'll never saint myself (and it's embarrassing when others do it to me) because I know the owners where deported back to Haiti and I can assume my dog lives better than they do. He is my reminder that life is unfair and I am not generous.

 

[RonE]

I also appreciate that the rescue did a pretty thorough background check to see if we, and the dog, were a good match.

 

[pandora]

I can it from both sides, but the fact is without someone somewhere doing the breeding there would be no pedigree dogs at all. However a few extra rules to ensure how pedigree breeders place their dog and making their long term commitment to the animals they produce would not be wrong. Maybe some of them would be less willing to churn out litter after litter if they knew the buck stopped with them.,..

I got my first beagle from a private adoption, the son had tried to drown the dog and they had him chained to a back yard fence in their words because the f***** dog kept running off. When I saw his papers I was amazed he came from one of the so called best breeders in the country. This man breeds top champion beagles yet he sold a male beagle to a woman who weighed some 400+ pounds and who could barely walk so he knew that dog would not get the exersize it needed. Years ago my father rescued a GSD from a scrap yard and it turned out her parents were both crufts class winners.
In both cases the breeders had taken the $$$ and not really done the checks to make sure their pups were in a good place.

These type of breeders are the reason why there are calls for stricter laws than there used to be and why the ordinary person often views a breeder with suspicion.

As for adoption, there are agenecies, often fronted by a celeb they pull at the heartstrings of the adoptee with cute puppies and sad stories but often fail to tell how it might take months or even years to settle a dog who has been mistreated or abused.

There are many breed rescues run by people passionate about a particular breed and specializing in finding suitable homes for that breed. The problem there is that people who just want that type of dog no matter what end up back at the breeder who couldnt give a ... as long as he gets his $$$$$

If we all stood back and realized that owning a dog is a privelige not a right and that dog regardless of where they are from are living breathing beings with feelings , not dolls or playthings not status symbols or fashion accessories then we might be doing the dogs a bit of good. This isnt about pitting people who adopt against those who buy its about stopping idiots breeding dogs , stopping idiots buying dogs and idiots dumping dogs when they are no longer wanted.