Originally Posted by erickajm  It seems to me that a rescue group would be "buying" into the same system they are trying to eliminate by buying from an auction....(hope I said that right). I see that yes, you are taking that dog out of that puppymill...but only to make room for the others for the next auction? What I mean is,
Initially I struggled with the decision to buy dogs from the local auction, for the very reason you mention. And would probably not do so, except I know what happens to the dogs that don't sell.
I see a rescue organization as one that will go and rescue a dog from harm and fight to eliminate puppymills and educate. As we all know, there are profit and non-profit organizations. A rescue would fall under non profit, therefore, no taxes and I will guess that the services of the vets and such would most likely be at cost. The rescues would have a "contract" with a participating vet whom is also helping the rescue by keeping the costs at minimum. In other words...a rescue wouldn't pay what I do for their services.
Although our vet does charge a reduced fee, it's not much less than what you are paying, they still have to make some income for their time.
I guess I get confused as well as to why the rescue groups charge upwards of $400-$500 for a dog that the pound will adopt out for $60-$100. I do agree we need rescue groups but I think it can become similar to the issues we have with breeders...everyone wants to get a piece of the action, or just because they think their dog is cute...then we should breed it. Some are out for the greenery....and even in rescues...there is (I hate to say it) money to be made.
I can speak only for our rescue - no profit is made, no member benefits financially from our rescue. In fact, most of our members donate money, gas, food, beds, harnesses etc. If a rescue is making a profit, to me they are not a true rescue.
I truly think it comes down to education. Why aren't these groups exposing the auctions and more of the puppymills? Hell, I can walk into an auction and buy a $10 yorkie myself, get the necessary meds and resell, but to me I would be doing these dogs more justice by bringing the media with me and exposing and shutting down these operations. A happy rescue would be one without dogs...that should be the main goal~of any and all rescue groups. The more exposure you bring to these people, the more outraged our society will become on this practice and the more pressure the legislature will be to pass more laws...right?
Education is all well and fine but does take time, and often isn't effective. How many years have scientists been screaming about global warming and our government has yet to take it seriously? Or smoking, how long have we been educated enough to know it's not good and still people start smoking every day of the year.
So, even as we educate, dogs are being killed, abused, bought by breeders, resold at flea markets and for medical research. Do we just stop buying (saving) them until everyone is educated? |