Buying a Pet: Breeder, Pet Store, or Rescue?

I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but in the United States and Canada, millions of unwanted dogs and cats are put to sleep each year due to a lack of shelter space and not enough homes available for these animals. Even if you want a purebred puppy, you can usually find what you’re looking for at a shelter/rescue. Just go to petfinder.com, you can search by specific breed, age, region, etc. Some of the southern states are high-kill shelters that euthanize if not claimed within 3 days; some still use gas chamber and heart puncture as extremely inhumane methods of euthanasia.

Even if a pet store says that the puppies available don’t come from a puppy mill; 99% of the time they do; no reputable breeder would put their puppies in a pet store to be caged all day. Many of these animals in rescue organizations and shelters started out as purchases from a pet store or a hatchery, but were turned over due to time constraints, owners moving, lack of money, having a baby, children with allergies, developing allergies, dogs jump on kids and they take the easy way out of giving away or selling the dog instead of investing the time and energy the animal deserves to train them to be a more balanced member of the family; or simply lack of time or desire to train, even for people without children, etc.

Most of the time, people buy a pet without much thought, and those pets are a lifelong commitment. And unfortunately, many people still don’t spay or neuter their pets. One catch 22 with this is that spay-neuter surgeries cost a lot of money for most people; with an average of $500 in most cases; and cities, veterinary clinics, etc; maybe you need to look into this dilemma and possibly offer reduced rates for low-income individuals and families in some way.

The best idea is to go to your local humane society or adopt from one of the many animal rescues in your area. You’ll be rewarded with a loving, home-schooled, upset pet, up-to-date on vaccinations, and you’ve literally saved a life. Many rescue organizations and kennels, shelters, and local city spcas have purebred animals available for adoption. I know a young couple who found a beautiful purebred Akita at the city kennel and they are very happy with their new member of the family.

So if you’re looking to get a pet, why not at least investigate what your local rescue organizations have to offer?