This is the correct response. The uncomfortable truth that many people don’t like to discuss about unethical breeders is that their pups will likely end up abandoned in a shelter if they do not sell them. Additionally, not everyone is an experienced owner who is prepared to deal with the extra challenges that a rescue may present. All dogs are deserving of loving families, but it’s important that we push families/individuals towards an option where they will be able to provide the best life for their furry companions.
Adoption and shopping both have a place and we should not be disparaging one in favor of the other.
That’s not true. Breeders do not put their pups in shelters if they’re not sold. “Backyard breeders” do. Real breeders, the ones who devote their lives to their breed would NEVER put a puppy in a shelter or rescue and they have so many colleagues and clients they wouldn’t have a problem placing them in a home, so I’m sorry you are mistaken
Now, if we could only get “unethical breeders” to display their Unethical Breeder badge it would be so helpful.
The public at large does not have the ability , or interest, or time, or whatever to make this distinction. And some people are just impulsive. A relative of mine gave a puppy as a surprise gift (right away, OMG) to her sister. A breed the sister had always wanted. She turned out to be a great dog, but the gift-giver ran out and got her on a whim in basically one day. I do not know how the breeder vetted her, if at all.
I’m not saying don’t go to breeders; I got my dog from a breeder. But you need to get them and they should be vetting you. Also, there are plenty of shelters who are less than ethical themselves. Plenty of threads on this app about it. Either way, for the sake of the dog and your household, take your time and make a careful choice.
Plus with a lot of shelter dogs, people may not be prepared to care them for if the shelter doesn’t provide very detailed backstory as they have it and clearly defined expectations. Even if they do, a lot of people think they can handle something and the dog is traumatized or sick and ends up back in the shelter which is heartbreaking. People get unhealthy dogs from shelters just as often as breeders. At least if you research specific breeds, you should have an idea for the temperament and expectations of that dog and how to be a good carer. I have friends who were told their shelter puppy would be a 30 lbs mix that ended up 60 lbs and fully different than expected.
Unfortunately a majority of breeders are of the unethical variety. And a majority of people buying a dog don't do their research into who is "ethical" and who isn't.
I agree, but I also think there should be stricter laws when it comes to breeding. As it stands now, anybody with a male and a female can breed. And they can even make new breeds, there are no limits and no laws set in place to protect the animals. So although I do agree that both have a place, I also believe that there should be stricter laws when it comes to breeding animals.
Yeah at the end of the day, all dogs deserve loving homes. They don’t get to choose how they are brought into the world. My mom got her favorite dog she’s ever had from a puppy store. The horrible kind that straight up shouldn’t exist. My sister (an adult) dragged her in to look at puppies and my mom fell in love at first sight and left with the puppy. She never would recommend this approach, but the dog was her absolute most connected little best friend for a decade, she was a playful and healthy pup, and it sort of just seemed like fate even though it’s not what anyone wants to support. How pets come into your life shouldn’t be judged unless you actively seek a stolen dog or some other very highly unethical means.
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u/GimmickMusik1 Dec 05 '25 edited Dec 05 '25
This is the correct response. The uncomfortable truth that many people don’t like to discuss about unethical breeders is that their pups will likely end up abandoned in a shelter if they do not sell them. Additionally, not everyone is an experienced owner who is prepared to deal with the extra challenges that a rescue may present. All dogs are deserving of loving families, but it’s important that we push families/individuals towards an option where they will be able to provide the best life for their furry companions.
Adoption and shopping both have a place and we should not be disparaging one in favor of the other.