Our Thoughts
Let's Talk About Getting a New Pet – But Let's Get Real!
If you have read through "Our Thoughts" thus far, you have probably gotten the message about how seriously we take the responsibility of pet guardianship.
Ask yourself this: why is it that most people consider themselves to be animal lovers yet we are continuously seeing new mediums crop up which are selling or trading in animals... while all the while thousands of healthy (happy) and loving animals are being euthanized by the scores in our shelters, or being passed off, neglected, given away or dumped. Let's face it, if we weren't consuming their wares, these mediums would not be able to continue in business and they would cease to exist. So, are we really animal lovers, or are we just "animal lovers in the moment"?
Recently whilst surfing the net, I was unlucky enough to find myself in one of the many online trading sites. Although I should have known better, I entered the pet section; secretly hoping that it would be pet supplies only - not animals themselves. Predictably, I was dismayed at what I found. Scores of advertisements by people wanting to swap their animals, give away their animals (site unseen, whoever wants it!) or, very disturbingly, loads of people advertising for "mates" to backyard-breed their dogs with! Photos of thin, sad, despondent animals chained up, staring into the camera lens without any life whatsoever in their eyes. Waiting to "breed" for their keepers, so that they can produce more puppies to be sold out into the world where already we cannot care for the ones we have!
I wondered why, as a Nation, this is still considered acceptable. I wondered if I am the only person in the world that views those images and feels so sad. Animals bred purely for profit and greed, without thought for the impact their lives will have on the already serious issue of over-population. But if anything is clear it is this: we as a nation obviously support these forums, these sites, these advertisements - otherwise they would not bother to exist! Please think about this next time you are browsing these "cute" animals in the pet section of your newspaper, your trading magazines, your internet sites - they are not cute, they are tragic. They are being traded like nothing more than inanimate objects. And please stop and think about the huge consequences of allowing your pet to remain undesexed to "have a litter or two".
If you are purchasing a pet (in particular I mean a dog or a cat, however this could apply to everything from a bird to a bunny) wouldn't you serve the species better by choosing one from the thousands and thousands of rescue services as opposed to lining the pockets of those indiscriminantly selling them wherever/whenever? (Note: Check Our Links section for a few - unfortunately of course there are so many more...) There are some well known rescue organizations such as the RSPCA, Animal Welfare Leagues etc, but additionally there are hundreds more that you may not be aware of, for example, breed specific rescue groups, last chance rescue groups, community rescue groups….and so many more. Certainly so many as to ensure your perfect pet will be found at one of them!
It is terribly distressing that, even today with all the public awareness, some people still harbour the mindset that all of these animals that end up in the shelters and rescue groups (in particular dogs) are only there because they are bad, mad or otherwise - this is not true! They are there because their people let them down! There is no such thing as a bad dog - there are only bad dog owners. Yes sure, some have suffered trauma and neglect so naturally may come with issues such as little or no training, so they may require an extra dose of patience and love to rehabilitate them into your home, but the majority of these dogs just want a happy, loving home and will give you immense gratitude and love from the first day home with you! And besides - ANY dog takes commitment - if you are not prepared to give your pet time and training (which its previous owners may not have, hence creating the problem!) then it will have behaviour issues no matter what its background is! Just because its in a shelter or rescue organization does not mean it doesn't deserve a chance at having a forever home - it has usually ended up there due to its previous owners shortcomings or poor planning for their future commitment. They are there because they were discarded when their impulse purchase grew too big, dumped them when the dog started barking too much due to the lack of exercise (lazy owners who don't realise the importance of exercise), handed in when the owners have decided to move and don't want to bother trying to find a dog friendly property, left alone when an owner has passed away - a zillion reasons - NOT JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GREAT DOGS! There is nothing more rewarding than giving a good home to a gorgeous doggy who, without you, would not have had many more days to smell the roses. Oh, and wanting a so-called "designer dog" or even a purebred - well the shelters and breed-specific rescue groups are so full, you will literally find anything you want - gone are the days when a monetary value guaranteed a dog a long happy life with its family. Want a playful puppy - visit the shelter, they'll have plenty. Wanting an older, more sedate dog, why not give a second chance to an old dog... its all there, just stop assuming that you wont find a great, happy, well adjusted dog at a shelter and stop believing that old wives tale that "refuge dogs are trouble" - its simply not true - you are just as likely to have issues with a pedigree if you don't treat it right!
If you want a pure breed dog that comes with a family history, then please ensure you know the difference between a "Breeder" and a "Registered Breeder". Anyone can call themselves a Breeder - there's the back yard variety, the novice (oh, she should just have one litter) variety, and a mired of other "Breeders" out there. However Registered Breeders must of course be Registered in their state, comply to a code of conduct and ethics and promote the welfare of animals - this means that they will personally interview prospective pet guardians to deem their suitability, educate them, and often accept an animal back to rehome it if the pet turns out to be a wrong fit for the family, ensuring it finds a suitable forever home. Good Registered Breeders really do consider the welfare of an animal and its breed over monetary gain. They do what they do as they are passionate about a breed - not as a source of income (as good Registered Breeders have many out-of-pocket expenses to ensure their puppies are healthy and have all the right shots, vaccinations, etc). If you are buying a pet and the Breeder is genuinely a "Registered Breeder" then they will be able to provide evidence of such, your pet's family history etc. Don't be fooled to think that someone calling themselves a Breeder is in fact anything more than a back yard breeder, churning out animals for profit. For example, try this little test: enter most pet stores and enquire where their puppys come from - most will say "Oh we get them from a breeder" - this of course should not be confused with an ethical Registered Breeder, who will not supply a pet store! It is important to know the difference.
