Quote:
Originally Posted by glencorgi
The message is out there. It is on forums such as this and Dogster and every breed list and every pet list every day of the week. It is on Animal Planet, and the news (national and local) and all other forms of media. The message shows up even in one's mailbox with monetary solicitations from HSUS, ASPCA, NSAL, PETA ... How in this day and age anyone cannot realize that the cute puppy in the pet shop came from a commercial kennel, well, they have to have their head in the sand. We are beaten with that message relentlessly. Furthermore, what do you think breeder referral people do? IF I had been paid a salary for all the hours I've spent on the phone and e-mails giving out the message, well I could go visit Michael in New Zealand.
So why does John Q choose to ignore the advice given here when they get the answers to the questions they've asked?
|
They don't ask. With all the info that is available, pet store buyers are not on the forums, or looking through "junk mail" flyers. They are not the people who do any homework. The believe the pet store clerk who tells them that the "quality" dog they're looking at comes from USDA licensed breeding facility. USDA sounds pretty good if you don't know that means under-regulated puppy mill. They don't ignore the information...they never sought it out to begin with. At some point their veterinarian or some friend tells them the real truth about the link between pet stores and puppy mills, usually after they have a problem.
Quote:
Originally Posted by glencorgi
Wrong, John Q Puppybuyer is just as likely to make an uniformed decision and impulse buy from their neighbor who just had a litter of puppies or noticing an ad on the bulletin board in the pet supply store or the local feed store or in my case, the local grocery store and post office.
|
Buying from the neighbor who at least has healthy pets and does some puppy socialization may not be the optimum option, but it's still far better than supporting the neglect and horrible conditions that are rampant in puppy mill industry.
Quote:
Originally Posted by glencorgi
During my tenure, there have been a lot more Pet Lands open in the state, along with Puppies to Guppies and several other chains of pet shops.
|
Sorry, the official PetLand website only shows one location in your state. Maybe they haven't updated their site...although they already show the store here that hasn't even opened yet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by glencorgi
Being on the Corgi Rescue list, I can address that with some knowledge. FL, percentage wise on sources of rescue corgis is pretty much in line with what I see. Ohio, pet shop purchases would pale in comparison to those from Amish sources.
|
Fortunately, I think Corgis are not a top breed of choice for the puppy mills (and hopefully never will be). The AKC top 10 are much more likely to be milled, pet shopped and later end up in rescue. I was referring to all breeds, and to shelter relinquishments as well as rescue organizations. Many times the shelters will euthanize due to health or temperament and the dog has no chance at a rescue placement.
The Amish puppymills sell their leftovers (more than they place themselves) to Hunte Corp who is the broker/supplier for the pet stores. That is one rational for wanting to close off the pet store supply...to cut Hunte's demand and then cut puppy mill demand.
Quote:
Originally Posted by glencorgi
Nationwide, there really isn't an overpopulation problem, in spite of what HSUS and others might want you to believe. The numbers have been falling for years. In some areas of the country there are actual shortages of adoptable animals. Yes there are still dogs in shelters in the northeast, mainly bully types and black dogs and those imported from other areas of the country and even from out of the country. The southeast, yes there are pockets of overpopulation, TX is another state where than can be overpopulation pockets, so why are they importing small dogs from Mexico even into TX?
|
Yes, thankfully the numbers have been falling for years! Now we only euthanize 5 to 6 millions dogs and cats every year (down from estimates as high as 17 million a decade ago). About 30% are dogs. That means we euthanize
only 10 animals every minute, every day, 365 days a year. Sounds like too many animals and not enough human homes to me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by glencorgi
Patronek and some other studies would disagree. The source of shelter populations lies with owners. By shutting off supply, it isn't going to reduce the demand and another very messy can of worms can be opened there. Shelters, less than 20% of the dogs there are purebred.
Debbie
|
Patronek did not say there were not too many animals and too few homes, although he does not like the phrase "pet overpopulation". I do agree with Patronek (and you) that a large part of the shelter/rescue problem is with owner relinquishment. The problem is twofold. Owner relinquishment and too many unwanted animals. It's not one or the other.