| Just like all businesses, there are the good ones, and | | | | animals are sold at pet stores. Rescuing these puppy |
| the bad ones, in the way they "manufacture" their | | | | mill dogs can be a challenge. If you purchase from a |
| product, market, sell... and in the way they treat their | | | | pet store, learn as much as you can about the store, |
| customers. There are good breeders and bad | | | | their breeders and the pup's background. |
| breeders. | | | | Adopting a dog |
| Good breeders adhere to the standards of the breed | | | | What are the benefits of adopting a dog rather than |
| because breeding is a science and an art. These | | | | buying one? One benefit of adopting a rescue animal |
| responsible breeders invest a lot of their time and | | | | is altruistic. Everyone, especially the dog, feels like |
| money in making the right choices of breeding their | | | | they've done a good deed when adopting a rescued |
| dogs to perfect the standards. A pure bred pup from | | | | animal and for good reason! The animal very likely |
| a reputable breeder is costly, and worth it. They are | | | | would have been euthanized. The sad, unsaid truth is, |
| accountable to their adopters and will ensure the | | | | for every one rescued there are more and more |
| health of the animal. Good breeders do it for the | | | | being put to sleep. Adopters choose rescued animals |
| perfection of the breed. | | | | over breeders and pet stores because they want to |
| Good breeders have a rigorous interviewing process. | | | | save animals' lives. By adopting one pup, another pup |
| They take great care in making sure the adopter is | | | | can be saved. |
| educated about the breed and the needs of the | | | | There are risks in adopting a pup from a rescue or |
| breed. | | | | shelter. Usually there is no information on the dog's |
| * When trying to decide on a breeder, ask for and | | | | background, history and breed. Usually the pups are |
| check references. Any breeder who is proud of their | | | | mixed breeds rather than purebreds. Mixed breeds |
| dogs will gladly provide references. | | | | are less likely to have the genetic problems |
| * Visit the breeder's residence. Obvious all breeders | | | | associated with certain breeds. The conditions the |
| should have clean facilities and the dogs should be | | | | animals come from, often are far from the good |
| well taken care of, and are healthy. | | | | breeder's environment. |
| * Ask for veterinarian information. A reputable | | | | When you adopt a rescue pup, not only do you save |
| breeder should have a regular vet. | | | | that pup, but you save more. You save another dog |
| * What guarantees does the breeder offer? | | | | because you open up a spot at the shelter for |
| * What support does the breeder offer to adopters | | | | another unwanted animal. You save another dog |
| after the adoption? | | | | because the rescue can afford to transfer more |
| The casual breeder will breed for the pure fun of it. | | | | dogs. It's like a pebble in a pond, one good deed |
| They love their dog and the breed and enjoy having | | | | ripples out affecting the rest. |
| pups that are pet quality and adopt them to loving | | | | Before adopting, ask the shelter or rescue for their |
| families. They aren't in it for the breed purity or for | | | | adoption guidelines so you can be prepared for the |
| the money. They just love dogs! | | | | interview process. Look at their website for the |
| Of course there are the bad breeders, who don't | | | | adoption application. |
| care about genetics or what traits to enhance or | | | | Common adoption questions include: |
| diminish in their breeding. And they care even less | | | | * Do you live in a home, or apartment? |
| about their customers. Bad breeders do it for the | | | | * Fenced yard? |
| money. They might sell their dogs to pet stores for | | | | * Is some one home during the day? How long will |
| resale. They may not care who adopts their pups as | | | | the pup be alone? |
| long as they have the money to purchase them. | | | | * Do you have pets now? List those pets. |
| These BYB, the "Back Yard Breeders", breed out of | | | | * Have you had a dog before? |
| ignorance and greed. These owners have no | | | | * What happened to that dog? |
| registration papers, no licensing, and no oversight of | | | | * Are there children in your home? Ages? |
| the breeding. They might sell their dogs on popular | | | | * Are you willing to make the financial commitment, |
| market websites like Craigslist. | | | | for emergency vet care, that exceeds $500? $1,000? |
| Puppy mills make sensational news stories. The horrid | | | | Answer all questions truthfully, and be sure you are |
| conditions at puppy mills are appalling. The dogs are | | | | comfortable with the responsibility. The decision to |
| bred over and over for profit. The animals are often | | | | adopt a new puppy or dog is a significant one, but |
| cooped up and not given proper medical attention. | | | | there are few opportunities that are more rewarding. |
| The dogs live in filth and disease. Many of these | | | | |