This is a little rough to read.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

Aw, DvlshAngel985, that's so sad! You know, I wonder if the shelter people are being discouraging to test your interest level? I know when people come into the rescue I'm at, the staff is pretty nonchalant. I think it's because they want serious, not impulsive adopters. Just a thought.

Also, I was looking at rescues in SoCal, and I saw this guy a month ago: Adopt a Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie: NIKNAK in S.CAL: Petfinder. He's filled out really nicely. He looked rather pitiful when they first got him. That rescue in particular seems to have reasonable requirements, though the dogs are still around $600. That's a lot of money, but I think it's about as cheap as you'll find in LA. I don't know what other dogs they have, but when I look at the change in that one, I'm thinking you should pick a scrawny, sad-looking one because they'll probably turn into a serious cutie with some TLC.

I have thought about that they are testing me. I'm a serious about pets and am even considering volunteering at a shelter closer to my "home away from home" (my condo at school). Maybe I should insist more and not let their excuses get to me. Still, I've tried other places and I always get "the look" when I tell them I'm interested in becoming a first time mom. I was "lucky enough" to get into contact with LA Animal Control and they had a litter of yorkies confiscated from an out of the country BYB (or puppymill). The adoption fee the administration staff told me would be $91, I just had to wait 6 months for them to properly acess the litter's health. I waited and when the time came they were put up for auction!! (after their release date was postponed twice) I didn't participate as I thought it was rediculous!!

My point it's hard to when you're a first time mom. I'm not looking for pitty or for anyone to feel bad for me, just sharing my experiences.

[QuickSilver]

I feel you. I honestly don't know if I could have gotten a yorkie if Thor hadn't happened to belong to my coworker. Anyway, check out that link I included. They probably have some other candidates at the rescue as well. I want you to get your yorkie!

[MollysMum54]

Thats why both the dogs ive adopted have been rescue dogs. I can understand why people want little new pups, but believe me, the joys of rescuing an older dog are endless. That moment when they learn to trust you,when they realise nothing bad is going to happen to them again is priceless. My first dog was 10 when i adopted her and had been badly abused. The only down side was that i only had her for 4 1/2 years. But in that time, i knew that i had given her endless love and probably the best time she'd had all her life. So, so rewarding.....go on, give it a try!!

[deanne]

Do any of you currently volunteer at a shelter? I have been thinking about it but I just don't know if I have it in me. Especially after coming across that letter . I don't think that I would be able to leave there and just leave those animals behind.

[QuickSilver]

I volunteer at a no-kill shelter. I'm too much of a soft touch to work at a standard shelter.

[hviola]

Originally Posted by deanne

Do any of you currently volunteer at a shelter? I have been thinking about it but I just don't know if I have it in me. Especially after coming across that letter . I don't think that I would be able to leave there and just leave those animals behind.

I've tried, but they refuse volunteers. The only thing you can do is play with the cats during certain hours on certain days of the week.

[DvlshAngel985]

I volunteer for the SPCA in Los Angeles. They have set up their volunteering on levels, first is orientation, then you're only allowed to handle cats until you take a class on how to handle dogs. After that you can show up at the shelter whenever you wish and play or train the animals. Of course you can only go in during business hours. I participate in a grooming group which only goes in every 3rd sunday and we groom all the dogs. I don't live in LA anymore so this is the best I can do. I like it there because it's cleaner than the LA city shelters because the people care! The officer and staff really get to know the animals there and know each and every single one's name.
Since I'm in Irvine now, I'm going to try to volunteer at the local shelter during the week. IVS (Irvine Veterinary Services) recommends the Irvine Shelter, and I think I heard that shelter has even won an award. I don't think that I can volunteer at a place where the staff has no compasion for the animals and doesn't care enough to clean their cages, like the one I saw in Los Angeles.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by deanne

But don't you think that if everyone has that attitude that nothing will ever be done. I don't know what the fix is either. Its just a horrible heartbreaking situation all around. I keep telling my DH that I should volunteer at a shelter but I don't think that I can. I think it would be to sad.

Did you expect to get a different answer from a breeder?

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

Did you expect to get a different answer from a breeder?

My involvement breeding has nothing to do with my stance. My opinions on the situation were formed loooong before the breeding or Yorkies in general ever crossed my mind. What I experienced doing shelter work and rescue were what founded my outlook on the situation as it was an is today. I, like many others here, have seen first hand and am fully aware of what results from unethical breeding and irresponsible pet ownership. If my opinions on the situation vary from your own, sobeit, but please don't be so quick to judge or fall under the misconception that comments on the matter are based due to my position as a breeder or as a breed enthusiast.

[TresCutePiggies]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Of course there is a solution! Spay or neuter your pet whether or not he or is she is purebred. Sell puppies with a spay neuter contract and require all adoptions that don't work out to return the dog to you, not turn it in to a shelter or sell it to someone who will down the road. Consider adopting an adult rather than buying a puppy, especially if you aren't going to purchase a puppy from a reputable show breeder. Don't put anymore money in the pockets of backyard breeders and puppy mills. If the demand dries up, the over production of puppies will stop.

And educate, educate, educate! Tell everyone the truth about pet shops and puppy mills and how backyard breeders are the real problem, not the puppy mills as they produce the vast majority of purebred dogs.

I think these are all great ideas! There is no easy answer, but you have to start somewhere. Even if it only saves the life of one dog - I, personally, think it is worth it!

[TresCutePiggies]

I wanted to add...

I was at the park on Sunday walking my girls, and I overheard a conversation between two girls around my age jogging. One girl asked the other how her dog was, and she replied with a very nonchalant I don't have him anymore and something to the effect of how he didn't like jogging with her...
It took everything in me not to make a scene, but I just don't understand people.

[yorkiekist]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Of course there is a solution! Spay or neuter your pet whether or not he or is she is purebred. Sell puppies with a spay neuter contract and require all adoptions that don't work out to return the dog to you, not turn it in to a shelter or sell it to someone who will down the road. Consider adopting an adult rather than buying a puppy, especially if you aren't going to purchase a puppy from a reputable show breeder. Don't put anymore money in the pockets of backyard breeders and puppy mills. If the demand dries up, the over production of puppies will stop.

And educate, educate, educate! Tell everyone the truth about pet shops and puppy mills and how backyard breeders are the real problem, not the puppy mills as they produce the vast majority of purebred dogs.

Great post!! Be a responsible breeder! Educate always! Hopefully the bybers will die out by attrition. Maybe the mills will eventually go away also!

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by yorkiekist

Great post!! Be a responsible breeder! Educate always! Hopefully the bybers will die out by attrition. Maybe the mills will eventually go away also!

Agreed. I think that is key. Educate, promote s/n and responsible breeding. It will never solve the problem completely, there will always be morons with dogs who could care less about their well being, but some people DO listen. This point I agree with, calling for a halt of ALL breeding until there is NO overpopulation problem at all, as was stated in the article, is what I disagree with.

[yorkiekist]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Agreed. I think that is key. Educate, promote s/n and responsible breeding. It will never solve the problem completely, there will always be morons with dogs who could care less about their well being, but some people DO listen. This point I agree with, calling for a halt of ALL breeding until there is NO overpopulation problem at all, as was stated in the article, is what I disagree with.

I dont think it will be a 100% fix to the problem, but it will put a big dent in it. Also what will help is alot of the breeders are now having the pups spayed/neutered before they are placed in pet homes. Now thats 100% a problem fixer!!LOL I do not believe that "laws" should be put into action either. I do not like big government snooping into everyones private lives.(peta would love it though LOL). Unfortunately there will always be the people who are only out for the big buck and the uneducated/uncaring people will always go on and on to continue this problem.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by yorkiekist

I dont think it will be a 100% fix to the problem, but it will put a big dent in it. Also what will help is alot of the breeders are now having the pups spayed/neutered before they are placed in pet homes. Now thats 100% a problem fixer!!LOL I do not believe that "laws" should be put into action either. I do not like big government snooping into everyones private lives.(peta would love it though LOL). Unfortunately there will always be the people who are only out for the big buck and the uneducated/uncaring people will always go on and on to continue this problem.

Exactly, precisely what I meant from the get-go. There will never be a 100% fix to the problem. Unfortunately.