Quote:
Originally Posted by DBlain  Like the breeder I've contacted does a lot of rescue work as well as breeding. And I guess it can be kind of an oxymoron to some people, LOL, but it's entirely possible to do both. posted by Britster
I think I understand a lot of how you feel and how both sides of this can be blurred
this topic is so conflicting and troublesome to me that I almost feel like two people when I think about it. I have supported shelters and now rescue groups for a long time by doing both volunteer work and sending donations, yet I have never owned a rescue dog, so I have to admit I feel guilty. Which I guess is good because when I really feel guilty I usually send more money. But in my heart I know I will not adopt a puppy, first because it is so hard to get the right one and second because not all but many have come from puppy mill surrenders. Before Yorkie Talk and facebook I not only thought about it but I tried. But now I have read so many break your heart and pocket book stories about puppy mill dogs that I would prefer to take my chances with a breeder.
So many people feel that as a YT member it is their responsibility to educate people on how to purchase a good yorkie. So when someone buys from a pet store, most here get upset and rightfully so telling the new owner about the health risks of a dog that most likely was bred in a puppy mill. Yet when someone adopts or is thinking about adopting a puppy where no history is known or the dog is in fact a puppy mill surrender everyone applauds with no questions asked. Yet both pups most likely started life in very similar situations. In my heart I love the fact that someone adopts these pups but my mind can't help wondering if they are prepared or have even thought about all those questions we ask of the pet store buyer. This is why I feel like two different people because I feel that it's OK to warn a pet store buyer but not an adopter even though they are facing the same risks, am I the only one to feel like this, because it really tears me up inside.
I know this is not true but man I sometimes feel like ignorance is bliss |
I think there is a big difference between buying from pet store & adopting a mill puppy. When you are purchasing from a pet store, you are supporting these millers & a horrible industry by contributing to their profit. When a person shells out $2000 for a puppy, they expect a product worth $2000. Hence all the questions for the shop owner. Most people who purchase from pet stores don't know they're buying a mill puppy. It's so easy for people who are uneducated about the puppy mill industry to get suckered into the "our puppies come from small, reputable breeders who we've been working with for years" gimmick. As much as we want to believe that everyone knows that pet shop puppies come from mills, the truth is...they don't. We are dog lovers. We're not the average American. I think that the "Don't shop. Adopt." campaign is bringing more awareness to the issue. But it takes a long time to get that message across to every single person.
The type of person that adopts a dog from a rescue knows that pet shops sell mill puppies. They know that by adopting, there's a a very likely chance that the dog they'll be bringing home has an uncertain history & will have health issues. That's part of the reason why the application process is such a nightmare. Rescue/adoption organizations need to be certain that a specific dog goes to a home that will be able to care for any behavioral or health issues that dog may have. I admit the application process is grueling. But if a prospective adopter doesn't know what to expect from a rescue dog, you can be sure they'll know after the application process.
I have 3 rescues. Two are from mills & I have no clue as to the other one's history. He was an owner surrender & all I have is the paperwork the original owner filled out upon surrender. Before I brought any of them home, I was notified of their known history & health problems the rescue organization was aware of. But, since I was rescuing, I also knew that ANYTHING could happen in the future. When my youngest got horribly sick & was hospitalized twice, there was really nothing I could do except have her treated. I couldn't "blame" anyone. She's a rescue! I brought her home knowing she was born in a mill! However, if I had paid $2000 for her at a pet shop, you bet I'd be back there asking the shop for some kind of compensation for a defective product.
I chose to go with a breeder for my next pup. I'm not ashamed of that. I just knew that I wasn't up for the risk & responsibilty of rescuing this time. I'm not ashamed of that either. But that's the thing...rescuers already know the risks. I don't think we need to educate them.