[QuickSilver]

Thanks for reading the article.

Different rescues have different policies.

The reason I disagree with your cigarette analogy is that in an ideal world, no one litters. However, in an ideal world, there will still be breeders supplying pets to loving, stable homes. How would it work if all breeders simply stopped breeding until there were no more pets in shelters? The only breeding would be accidental, and presumably the average age of a dog would go way up. So I think we have to draw a distinction between careful and indiscriminate breeders. My definition of a great breeder is:

- Someone who first and foremost cares about the health of her dogs.

- Will take any surrendered animal back into her home. This is an incredible commitment when you think about it - imagine how many dogs you are potentially responsible for over say, a fifteen year period.

- Sells on a mandatory s/n contract.