Author of Article Credits: Jamie Burns (Certified Dog Trainer at Sit Spot Stay)
When it comes to finding a new canine companion, the debate between adopting from a shelter or rescue and purchasing from a breeder is often a heated one. I often hear people telling others that they should never go through a breeder to get their dog because there are so many dogs in shelters that need good homes. I really dislike the phrase, “Adopt, don’t shop!” It infers that the only ethical way to obtain a dog is by going through a “rescue organization” or shelter. I strongly believe that it can be a perfectly good choice to do either: go through a rescue/shelter or a breeder. What matters most, is that you do your research first to make sure that the breeder or rescue/shelter is an ethical one, and that you are choosing the right dog for you.
The Reality of Some Rescue/Shelter Organizations
Are there really unethical shelters and rescues? You betcha! It is true, there are a ton of dogs in shelters. But why are there so many dogs in shelters? There are many reasons, but let’s talk about some that you may not have considered. While many rescues are genuinely committed to the welfare of animals, not all operate with the same ethical standards. There are some rescue organizations that operate more like businesses, prioritizing profit over the welfare of the animals they claim to save. These organizations may import large numbers of dogs, sometimes without proper health screenings or vaccinations, putting both the dogs and the local pet population at risk. Some rescues import dogs from other countries, often from regions where animal welfare regulations are less strict. These dogs may be transported under stressful and inhumane conditions, and sometimes they arrive with undisclosed health issues. Importation of dogs for profit can also encourage unethical breeders and puppy mills to stay in business. In an article by AKC Government Solutions it says that it’s estimated that close to 1 million dogs are imported into the United States each year for profit! You can read the article here: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/clubs-delegates/government-relations/government-relations-blogs/foreign-rescue-dogs-health-concerns/
I have no source to back this up, but I believe that a major part of the reduction of dogs in shelters during the pandemic was because there was a halt on the importation of dogs from overseas. Choosing a rescue/shelter that works with local dogs and doesn’t import dogs from overseas can actually help the pet overpopulation problem, rather than adding to it. The rise of for-profit rescues highlights the need for potential adopters to be vigilant and discerning. Please don’t hear “rescue” and automatically assume they are ethical.
I’d like to give some examples of rescues I have personally dealt with. I have had experience with many many rescues and shelters, but these are only a few examples. I’m sure you’ll be able to see drastic differences between them. Let’s start with the more positive one:
The very first dog my husband and I got was from a rescue organization in Oahu, Hawaii. I found a listing in the paper about a litter of mix breed puppies. I called the rescue and said that I would like to come visit the puppies. The lady on the phone was incredibly polite and asked me many questions. She asked why I was looking for a puppy. She asked if I had children. She asked if I had dogs previously. She asked if I was willing to walk the dog everyday, and I’m sure some other questions too. Then we set up a time for us to go visit them. When we showed up there were several different litters of puppies. She took me to the ones I had inquired about and let me observe them as a litter. I saw another litter of puppies in a separate area and I started to go look at them. She quickly informed me that the puppies in that litter fought over their food, and since this would be our first dog, and since we had children, she would not let us choose one of those puppies. So I went back to the other litter and observed them some more. She let me know that these puppies would grow to be large dogs and asked if I was prepared to have a large dog. I spotted one that I was interested in and I asked if I could spend time with the puppy away from the litter. She was happy to let me spend as much time with the puppy as I wanted. I took her to another room and observed and interacted with her. When I decided that I would like to adopt that puppy, the lady seemed genuinely happy for us and proceeded to tell us many important things about the puppies and their mom. She said the mom was a full Rhodesian Ridgeback that belonged to a local family. She had gotten loose and pregnant from an unknown dog. The owners left the mom at the rescue to have the puppies and took the mom back once the puppies were completely weaned. She then strongly encouraged us to enroll in training classes as soon as possible and gave a recommendation for one that was close to where we lived. After having the puppy for one week she emailed me to see how everything was going. And at the one year mark she emailed again to see how our life was going with our dog. I was very happy to report that she was an absolutely fantastic dog that fit into our family so well and that we loved dearly. I wish that I remembered the name of this incredible rescue.
The second example is of a shelter that I volunteered at for 6 months until I couldn’t handle it anymore. In the training that they required of the volunteers we were told that we could not tell anyone that came into the shelter any information about any of the dogs other than what was written on the card on their kennel. The cards usually only had a name, an age estimate, and whether they got along with cats, other dogs, or kids. We were strictly told not to ever mention breed at all, or any history we knew about the dog, or behavioral traits. We were also told that not only should the dogs never be corrected in any way, but that we should never say “no” to a dog. I dealt with many dogs at that shelter that made me incredibly uncomfortable to handle that they were trying to place with inexperienced dog owners, and people with young children. They kept telling us, “Whatever it takes to get dogs into homes.” I think most of them had good intentions for the dogs, but weren’t considering if they were actually good placements, that would be a good fit. Potential adopters were not allowed under any circumstances to let the dog they were considering adopting meet a pet that they currently owned to see if they would get along well. They also were very proud of the fact that they brought dogs in from all over. Withholding information about a dog or downplaying the severity of behavior is unfortunately something many unethical rescues and shelters do. Red flags, red flags, and more red flags.
One time I went to a rescue with a friend to help her choose a puppy. When we got there, there was a long line to get in and they handed out numbers to us based on our place in line. When it was our turn to go in they said if you like a puppy (they were all puppies that had been shipped in a day before, no adult dogs) to let someone know and they will put us in a room with that puppy. There were several runs with 5 or 6 puppies in each run and they didn’t seem to necessarily be with their littermates. My friend saw a puppy that she wanted to see so the worker took the puppy, led us to a concrete room that was about 5 feet by 10 feet, and told us we had 10 minutes to decide if we wanted the puppy. 10 minutes! When the worker came back I asked if we could bring some of the littermates in to see how the puppy interacted with them, and he said “no”. He said our time was up and we either needed to claim the puppy or they would put him back out for others to see. He also said we only could try out one more puppy. And that’s when we left. Extreme red flags!
Be very wary of Amish breeders. Many Amish breeders are puppy mills. Just do your research first and ask for a facility tour, to meet the parents, and verify medical testing and veterinary care. Don’t buy dogs online without visiting the breeder in-person first or having done your research and having personal connections with the breeder that can verify their validity.
Ethical Rescues: A Worthy Option
There are countless ethical rescues that do incredible work. These organizations typically ensure that all animals are properly vetted, spayed or neutered at a proper age, and receive the necessary medical care before being adopted out. They often rely on a network of foster homes to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the dogs while they await adoption.
Ethical rescues also prioritize transparency. They provide potential adopters with as much information as possible about the dog's history ,breed, behavior, and health, helping to ensure a good match between the dog and its new family. They are motivated by a genuine desire to help the dogs find a good home, AND to help the adopters to find a dog that is a good fit for them.
If you are interested in getting a dog from a rescue or a shelter, I strongly consider you to check out this website: www.rescuedogsresponsibly.com It is an incredible resource to help you not only find a good rescue, but how to choose a dog that has a good temperament and will fit well with your family. It’s a completely free resource.
Responsible Breeders Can Reduce the Number of Dogs in Shelters
Yes, that’s right! Getting a dog from an ethical breeder can actually reduce the number of dogs in shelters. Ethical breeders are dedicated to maintaining and improving the health, temperament, and welfare of the breeds they love. They are committed to responsible breeding practices, which include genetic testing, careful selection of breeding pairs, and providing proper care and socialization for puppies. They do ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) or Puppy Culture to help their puppies be well-socialized. Ethical breeders have contracts with who they sell their puppies to and they require the dogs to be microchipped, with their information as the secondary contact. Then if the dog is lost or put in a shelter, the breeder can always be contacted and will take the dog back. Unlike puppy mills or backyard breeders, ethical breeders prioritize the well-being of their dogs over profit. They don’t sell puppies based on their coat color or looks, they sell them based on temperament. They often have waiting lists for their puppies and carefully screen potential buyers to ensure that each dog goes to a loving and suitable home. They don’t make owners choose a puppy at a week or two old, based on looks. A puppy should be chosen based on temperament at 7 weeks of age, but should not leave their littermates until at least 8 weeks of age. They don’t sell littermates to the same home. A good breeder also will take a dog back if for any reason you are no longer able to care for the dog. In addition, ethical breeders contribute to the preservation of specific breeds, especially those that might otherwise be at risk of decline. They also provide valuable support to new owners, offering advice and assistance long after the puppy has gone to its new home. By choosing an ethical breeder, buyers can be confident that they are bringing home a healthy, well-adjusted puppy from a responsible source. This leads to less dogs being surrendered to shelters!
It’s Okay to Choose—Just Do Your Research
Whether you choose to adopt from a rescue or buy from a breeder, the most important factor is doing your research to ensure that you are supporting an ethical and reputable source. Take the time to visit the breeder or rescue in person, ask questions about their practices, and request references from previous buyers or adopters. Also do your research on dog breeds and temperaments so that you can confidently choose a dog that will fit well into your family. If you aren’t confident in this, hire a professional trainer. Even if they don’t list this as an option on their website, ask them. Many trainers would be more than happy to do this, they just don’t normally offer it because, unfortunately, not very many people are interested in the help beforehand.
Look for breeders who are members of recognized breed clubs and adhere to strict codes of ethics. For rescues, check their reputation within the animal welfare community, and be wary of organizations that seem more focused on quick adoptions or high turnover.
By making an informed decision, you can feel confident that you are bringing a dog into your home from a source that prioritizes their health, well-being, and future. Whether through an ethical breeder or a responsible rescue/shelter, you and your new pet deserve the best possible start in your relationship.
The decision of how you obtain your dog is deeply personal, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. What matters most is that you take the time to research and choose an ethical source, ensuring that your new companion comes from a place of care and responsibility. By supporting ethical breeders and rescues/shelters, you contribute to the welfare of dogs everywhere. Let's stop shaming people for their choice in using a breeder or rescue and just help educate people on how either one can be a good choice with some research. And for the love of dogs can we get rid of the phrase, “Adopt, don’t shop.”
Author of Article Credits: Jamie Burns (Certified Dog Trainer at S
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