It's ALL Shopping

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.