#EducateDontDiscriminate

We've all seen it. #AdoptDontShop

This slogan is posted EVERYWHERE now-a-days. Originating from Animal Rights Activists this slogan was originally intended to be used to go after the horrendous puppy millers, but in today's society it is being used against even those of us who do it RIGHT!

So, with this being said, I would like to begin my own slogan "Educate Don't Discriminate"!

As an animal lover from the day I was born, a rescuer of the sick, inbred, neglected, AND a purchaser AND breeder of purebred dogs there are benefits to both sides. BUT, either side being in constant battle with the other does nothing for the potential animal adoptee. So let's break it down...

Let’s discuss a few pros to adopting shelter pet:

1. You are saving a life. Whether that animal is in a kill shelter or no kill shelter you are saving their life. You are saving them from either a long drawn-out sentence of life behind bars all because they aren't young enough, cute enough, small enough, the right color, etc. OR, you are ultimately, LITERALLY, saving their life in a kill shelter situation.
2. Typically speaking adoption prices are cheaper than purchasing a dog from a breeder. The reason I use the term "typically" is I have seen some adoption prices ranging from FREE all the way up to $600+.
3. You won't get hassled from people in society about your decision...you chose right in their eyes! Let's face it in a society that is focused on anti-bullying there is plenty of bullying going around in our adult world that would shame even the toughest of people into conceding. In today's modern technology where your daily life is public, public perception is an every growing dilemma and being right through the public’s eyes vs doing what is right by your family...sometimes, just sometimes, that may win.

Now for a few cons to adopting a shelter pet:

1. You don't know what you are getting behaviorally or health wise. AND 9 out 10 times most shelters don't have any kind of behavioral support system set up for their adoptees. So once you adopt your animal you are on your own.***
2. A majority of animals are spayed or neutered prior to adopting regardless of age. While spaying and neutering a dog or cat prior to 6-10 months of age, or a female prior to her first heat cycle, has been scientifically proven to lessen the chances of cancer, etc.; altering an animal at 8-10 weeks and sometimes even YOUNGER has proven to have SERIOUS complications. I understand the intent of attempting to decrease the unwanted animal population by taking care of the problem BEFORE it’s a problem, but in doing so shelters actually create more harm than good. When you alter a growing animal's hormones this young it really creates an issue with behavior and growth, as many of the hormones needed for these animals to mature correctly have now been removed. Not to mention placing a young animal under anesthesia increases the chance of loss and a major surgery compromises an already under developed immune system. This leads to an increase in post-operative infections, increased chances of communicable diseases (i.e. Parvo and Distemper), etc.
3. Most shelters are focused on adopting their animals vs. finding one suited for your home and family. This is why they have become a revolving door. "FiFi" the 5lb Maltese cross didn't work on your family farm with 3 small children and your cattle you raise? No problem, bring her back...now she bites children, but there isn't any mention to the next family who adopts her for their child who thinks she is the most adorable dog and matches her stuffed pet "Snowy". She bit your child too...no problem, bring her back. See she's in a no-kill shelter, who doesn't have the funds to have a behaviorist evaluate every dog, but they will take her back and try to rehome her, even if that means she will go to another home where she won't work out either.

***According to a study*, Goodbye to a Good Friend: An Exploration of the Re-Homing of Cats and Dogs in the U.S., by Emily Weiss, Shannon Gramann, C. Victor Spain, and Margaret Slater, conducted by ASPCA and released in 2015 to the Open Journal of Animal Science, 47% of surrendered animals are done so due to "pet problems". These were identified in the study as behavioral issues, aggressive behavior, unexpected growth, and health problems. Following that was "Family Problems" with only 28% as so on. Basically, it is a never-ending cycle.​

Now, drum roll...

Let's discuss the elephant in the room...

A few cons of obtaining an animal from a REPUTABLE breeder: (notice I used the word REPUTABLE: def.: having a good reputation. synonyms: well-thought-of, highly regarded, respected, well respected, respectable, of (good) repute, prestigious, established; reliable, dependable, trustworthy):

1. COST! Let's face it, you all think it... I just said it. While cost is a huge portion of why people choose to adopt animals vs. purchasing a purebred, I completely understand, but I KNOW both sides! In today's society everyone wants a deal, I get that! But as a breeder I have to be able to sustain our program with funding obtained FROM our program so we can continue to provide the best animal we can! I can't go to my vet and tell him/her that an owner can't afford to pay my purchase price, so I can't afford to pay for his/her veterinary care. I can't tell the food company that supplies my food that a potential buyer thinks my prices on my puppies are too high, but they love the quality of them because of the nutrition and care they are given...so I need you to just mark the price of your food down for me. And lastly, what is your time away from your family and friends worth to you? Because when a reputable breeder has puppies, kittens, foals, calves, etc. on the ground... we miss family Christmases to make sure your babies are taken care of, we spend sleepless nights up with sick puppies nursing them back to health. There are countless hours that go into each and every loved, little life of a reputable breeder...so, what's the cost worth to you?
2. Well...I don't know the breeder, and I am supposed to send him/her money, typically sight unseen? In today's world of scam artists, there are those who do the same thing in the breeder world. They steal beautiful pictures of puppies, from other breeder's websites, Facebook pages, etc. and pose themselves as a breeder to sell you this gorgeous pup at an insanely discounted price! If it's too good to be true, it typically is. We are a modern society and everything is on the internet now-a-days. I implore you, STALK, your breeder's pages, check with listed clientele. Check-up on reviews. I do feel sorry for those who get cheated in really bad situations, but if you didn't do your homework before you sent your money...claiming ignorance, well, it is NOT bliss in this situation. I myself review my potential buyer's pages. I want to know what kind of a home my puppies are going to, any GOOD breeder would do so...so why not do the same! Your breeder should have some privacy, but if you have a gut feeling something isn't right...then that maybe you should LISTEN! Also, I just want to put this out there... A good, reputable breeder will allow you (AT SOME POINT) to visit their kennel/home. Some, like me, won't allow it until your puppy is ready to go home. These are types of questions you need to ask your breeder. They should become a part of the extended family, so bother the heck out of them, and if they can't be bothered...then MOVE ON. Because if they can't put their best foot forward at the beginning of the "relationship" imagine how it will be a few months from now when you really need them?
3. Dealing with a TRUE breeder vs. a Puppy Mill or a Designer Dog Breeder: A true breeder will tell you about their program, why they select certain dogs, and what type of testings and veterinarian care they provide. A true breeder won't hesitate to provide veterinary referrals or referrals from other clientele to ease your mind about purchasing one of their puppies. A puppy mill or a designer dog breeder does it solely for the income. Likely they won't have an established veterinarian and travel around looking for the best deal on care, instead of the best care, period, and puppy mills typically lack it all together. So, again, this all falls back on do your homework, ASK!

FINALLY...man, Suzanne, you are SOOOO long winded...

The PROS of purchasing from a REPUTABLE BREEDER:

1. Before your animal was born it was loved and cared for. That's right! We reputable breeders love our moms and dads. I for one, will tell you they are a part of THIS FAMILY! There are some breeders that when they retire their breeders, they sell them. I can "sort of" understand this, because they are doing it on a large scale. But because my babies will be loved until the end there will come sometime when we will go a long period of time without being able to produce puppies...and that's okay with me. So long as our family members are happy the last years of their lives, living it up here at our Ranch, we are good with that!
2. Your animal was cared for with dignity, respect, and love. When I see one of my pups I raised, even years later, they still remember my calls and whistles. I have even been told that when owners watch our puppy videos our dogs perk up and "look" for me. Melts my heart. Because a piece of my heart, my kids heart, and yes...even my husband's goes home with every one of our animals!
3. You receive a health guarantee and a congenital guarantee of some sort. When you purchase from a reputable breeder they do their best to ensure they are providing the best, but in a case where something JUST GOES WRONG, they'll make it right.
4. Behavioral support or lifetime support. Not all breeders do this and there are some out there that claim behavioral support, but there is a far difference between having the ability to teach a dog to sit, stay, or come, and having the knowledge to identify behavioral issues...talk to your breeder so you can know the difference! Some offer support for the lifetime of the pet, meaning if for some reason you have to move and you can't take your dog with you, you can reach out to your breeder and they will take the dog back...no questions asked. This is HUGE! We are responsible for every life we place on this earth, so giving them the best paw forward is the best thing we can do for them as reputable breeders.
5. LOTS of recommendations! From food to toys and everything in between. You have plenty of support of knowing what you may need for your puppy from your breeder! And please remember that recommendations regarding healthcare are just that, recommendations! All healthcare related matters should be discussed with your veterinarian!

SO, I hope this EDUCATES rather than DISCRIMINATES on whether purchasing an animal or adopting an animal is the right choice for you and or your family. And maybe next time you see #AdoptDontShop you can follow it up with #EducateDontDiscriminate and refer someone who maybe ignorant to this Blog about our Dogs!

Thanks for reading!
~Suzanne

*file.scirp.org/pdf/OJAS_2015100914300959.pdf

Proverbs 15:14 - The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.