but there are other means of adoption, rather than solely from the shelter alone..

my current dog was adopted from an independant dog rescue group….they offer me a free puppy with no cost at all…

The title of the post is for shock value and mirrors the ridiculous demands of PeTA. I don’t believe PeTA’s demand, nor am I advocating that people should truly never adopt.

That’s ridiculous, as the outcome of never adopting would be the status quo that I’m against: lots of animals needlessly dying in shelters. If they aren’t adopted, then the choice is either some form of warehousing or death.

The points I make in favor of buying though are brutally honest and I believe accurate.

Shelters shouldn’t have to cripple and denounce breeders, they should have to compete with them honestly. And those shelters you mention that do the good work prove that it can be done.

I know that there are shelters out there like Nathan describes – far, far too many; but I also know that there are a few that do good work. I believe I was rescued by such a shelter.

I am a positive sort, optimistic and hopeful. It’s who I am. And it’s my hope that over time, sooner, rather than later, that Nathan’s book will bring about change, make an impact, and make a difference.

If my shelter wouldn’t have saved me from a life on the streets at 12 weeks, I wouldn’t be with my Mum. I wouldn’t be doing agility. I wouldn’t have changed my Mum’s life (for the better, by the way). I wouldn’t be a 2007 Cynosport World Games qualifier. I wouldn’t be doing my part to help ‘the cause’ where I can.

I am grateful to my shelter, I am grateful that Mum went there to adopt me.

No, the world isn’t a great place, no, it’s not ideal, no, it’s not perfect. Never has been, never will be. But there are people who care, people who tirelessly work to make a difference and we salute them. And always will.

By talking about Nathan’s book, Chris, you are sharing some valuable information. Thank you for that!

And when I finally have the courage to read the book myself, I too, am sure, that I won’t be able to hold back my feelings and my opinions.

Thank you!

Woofs, Johann

Breeders used to be the people who did rescue, for their own breeds. Now many rescue groups I run across are anti-breeder. I worked with Greyhound rescue when I lived in Florida, and a woman actually lifted her lip at me and turned away when I told her my Afghan Hound came from a breeder. You can lay that division right at the feet of PeTA and their AR cronies, just like you can lay the fact than many breeders now boast about how FEW litters they’ve bred. Both of ‘my’ breeds are fairly rare and to see breeders talk about three litters in thirty years is depressing, as well as showing little knowledge of preserving genetics. You can’t ‘better the breed’ if you don’t breed enough to keep the breed going.

This might seem like a bold question, but is it possible to be both a supporter of adoption AND buying?

Need we chose one side of that debate or the other?

I personally don’t feel that adoptions are a threat to breeders nor breeders a threat to adoptions.

Here is some food for thought that I found on the ASPCA website:

“According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), about 65 percent of pet owners acquire their pets free or at low cost.

The majority of pets are obtained from acquaintances and family members. About 15 to 20 percent of dogs are purchased from breeders, 10 to 20 percent of cats and dogs are adopted from shelters and rescues, and 2 to 10 percent are purchased from pet shops. (Source: Ralston Purina and NCPPSP)

At least 20 percent of cats are acquired as strays. (Source: NCPPSP) Many strays are lost pets who were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.

More than 20 percent of people who leave dogs in shelters adopted them from a shelter. (Source: NCPPSP)”

That’s worth mulling over.