Seeing more Yorkies in Shelters...

[tmatherly]

I don't know about you all, but it seems there are more Yorkies in shelters. I wonder if it's because of the rise in popularity (they were #2 after Lab this year). Look at this cute little guy that ended up in a shelter in West Memphis. It makes me want to adopt them all!

[Gingergirlsmom]

There are soooooo many not-so-good reasons why yorkies and other purebred dogs end up in shelters and rescue. It breaks my heart.

Just in the past year I can think of a yorkie who...

~came into rescue because his owners took him to a vet to be put down for FLEAS. TG the vet contacted rescue.

~came into rescue because his owners took him to a vet to be pts for BARKING...ugh

~ came into rescue because (surprise) mom and dad had a baby and no longer have time

~ came into rescue because his owners didn't have the $ to care for her properly, and did the RIGHT thing (good for them)

Gosh, I could go on. I'm sure with their popularity and EVERYBODY and his brother breeding them, it's going to get worse before it gets better.

[Deenie]

I love Austin because there are so many rescue groups! I was very apprehensive of adopting from a breeder but I had a bad experience at the shelter here and was afraid to do that again

It's just so hard to make a decision
Nothing against breeders, I finally met so many nice ones. It's weeding out the brokers, I guess.

[Gingergirlsmom]

I'm sorry but you struck a nerve...

If pet owners would:

~Refuse to buy a dog as an "impulse" buy or a gift for someone else
~Get all of their dogs altered
~Leave the breeding to the breeders
~Commit to adopt a dog only if they are really ready to commit

then the numbers might drop.

[Buddy-licious]

Ohhhh...it breaks my heart to see these sweet babies in shelters!!! But I guess there are worse places that they could be.....like on the street!!!! Let's just hope that all make it to a loving "forever family"!!!

[JeanieK]

Those stories are so sad. It is no wonder that rescues are so picky about who they adopt them to. Unfortunately there is no end to irresponsible dog owners.

[tmatherly]

I have decided if I ever get another Yorkie I am definetely rescuing. Hopefully it will be quite a while before I will be looking for another because my two keep me busy and part of being a responsible owner is knowing your limitations. All the babies I am seeing on Petfinder alone are just heartbreaking. I just know when the time comes I will be able to find a sweet Yorkie who just needs to be spoiled rotten!

[livingdustmops]

The list could go on about why Yorkies are in rescue but you have nailed many of them. I remember when they made it to #2 and I might have even posted it on YT more bad breeders will jump on the bandwagon and we will have more Yorkies for rescue.

Two years ago petfinders averaged about 300 a day, now it is 600 a day.

[tmatherly]

Originally Posted by Gingergirlsmom

I'm sorry but you struck a nerve...

If pet owners would:

~Refuse to buy a dog as an "impulse" buy or a gift for someone else
~Get all of their dogs altered
~Leave the breeding to the breeders
~Commit to adopt a dog only if they are really ready to commit

then the numbers might drop.

You are preaching to the choir, girl! Everything you are saying is so true, but the majority of people don't listen. They see dogs as disposable posessions, which is so very, very sad.

[Gingergirlsmom]

Originally Posted by tmatherly

I have decided if I ever get another Yorkie I am definetely rescuing. Hopefully it will be quite a while before I will be looking for another because my two keep me busy and part of being a responsible owner is knowing your limitations. All the babies I am seeing on Petfinder alone are just heartbreaking. I just know when the time comes I will be able to find a sweet Yorkie who just needs to be spoiled rotten!

Good for you! Be careful though, rescuing can be an addiction. Like you I began looking at Petfinder when I wasn't even really looking for a yorkie. I became so overwhelmed by the sheer number of unwanted yorkies out there, that by the time we'd decided to get Ginger a brother, a puppy was no longer an option for me.

[grayxie]

It doesn't help with stupid celebrities having them. Seems like alot of people are getting dogs for the "look" rather than a companion. I hope that little guy gets adopted to a loving home.

[tmatherly]

Originally Posted by Gingergirlsmom

Good for you! Be careful though, rescuing can be an addiction. Like you I began looking at Petfinder when I wasn't even really looking for a yorkie. I became so overwhelmed by the sheer number of unwanted yorkies out there, that by the time we'd decided to get Ginger a brother, a puppy was no longer an option for me.

I know, I need to stop looking at Petfinder. It's not good for my mental health!

[charly]

Its really heartbreaking to see so many puppies who actually need to be reschued. It is a situation thats so many shelters experience of the babies coming in at large amounts.

[ladyj]

Originally Posted by Gingergirlsmom

There are soooooo many not-so-good reasons why yorkies and other purebred dogs end up in shelters and rescue. It breaks my heart.

Just in the past year I can think of a yorkie who...

~came into rescue because his owners took him to a vet to be put down for FLEAS. TG the vet contacted rescue.

~came into rescue because his owners took him to a vet to be pts for BARKING...ugh

~ came into rescue because (surprise) mom and dad had a baby and no longer have time

~ came into rescue because his owners didn't have the $ to care for her properly, and did the RIGHT thing (good for them)

Gosh, I could go on. I'm sure with their popularity and EVERYBODY and his brother breeding them, it's going to get worse before it gets better.

This happened to Bichons after J.R. won BIS at Westminster a few years ago. Everyone wanted one of those beautiful little white doggies, but many of the proud owners found out they weren't equipped to handle all the grooming, house training, and usual puppy stuff and they started showing up in shelters. Rescue groups were swamped with dogs a year or two after J.R. won. I think it's slowed down some by now, but it's amazing how many purebred dogs wind up in shelters for some really amazing reasons.