The phrase “adopt don’t shop” is a popular one, but it’s especially grown in popularity over the last couple of years. Shelters and rescues are constantly at their capacity and still trying to help as many animals as possible, while breeders and puppy mills continue to use animals for profit and use unethical ways to get there. Both prioritize profit over the health and well being over the animals, just on different scales. So what’s the big deal, and why is it important knowledge?
I’m a HUGE advocate for adopting/rescuing instead of supporting breeders and puppy mills. Most people don’t know how cruel backyard breeders, puppy mills, and even pet stores that sell animals actually treat them. To them, these animals are considered products, not pets. Let’s go over why this phrase is important and what important things you should consider before you purchase a pet.
What is a Puppy Mill?
A puppy mill is a term for a large-scale commercial breeding facility. Puppy mills are extremely inhumane; they have no interest in the health or condition of these animals, just the money that they can make from them. Oftentimes, dogs are cramped into kennels and not let out unless it’s to start breeding them. They have to sit in their own urine and feces and are covered in terrible mats (depending on the breed). They never touch the grass, see the sun, experience a gentle touch, and don’t get their own beds or water bowls. They don’t get socialization or vet check-ups. Since puppy mills are profit-driven, these dogs usually have litters back to back, giving them no time to rest from the last litter, and are given little to no thought about genetics. There are very few details that change depending on the facility; however, the idea stays the same. Once they decide the mother is no longer valuable, they surrender or even euthanize her, then find another pup to repeat the process with.
If you’re thinking, “Wow, that sounds terrible; it must be illegal if it’s that bad,” then you would be right, but they aren’t. Puppy mills are sneaky. The Midwest, especially Iowa, is the leading state for puppy mill violations. Most puppy mills function unlicensed with little to no supervision from the state, but even if they are licensed, it doesn’t mean that they are in better conditions. This is the standard for where your pet comes from.
What is a Backyard Breeder?
A backyard breeder is an amateur breeder who breeds pets without following any guidelines. No genetic health testing, no regular check-ups/health screenings, no socialization or long-term care. Just short-term benefits to make them profits. These usually start with accidental litters of their own personal pets. While you might think the puppies will be cute, the ethical routines in place for breeding a pet are set up for a reason. No health screenings or genetic testing can lead to unknown issues occurring, serious behavioral AND health issues, and even young deaths. With no license or state regulations, this makes the process illegal.
There are many reasons why it’s important to spay/neuter your pets and understand the basics of pet health, this being one of them. Unplanned litters add to the strain of overpopulated animal shelters and the number of animals killed annually. It’s not only essential for controlling pet overpopulation by reducing the number of homeless animals, but it also reduces the risk of serious health issues occurring. Unspayed females are twice as likely to develop diabetes compared to males. They can suffer with long term urianary issues and mammary (breast) tumors that can be cancerous. Unneutered males are likely to develop prostate issues and testicular cancer, as well as behavior issues and inappropriate urination.
Why choose to adopt from a shelter/rescue?
An animal shelter or rescue is an organiztion who takes in pets that have nowhere else to go. They are commonly run by pet lovers who want to give these pets a second chance. Rescuing/adopting is just one of the many ways you can help in animal welfare. Most shelters are at an all-time high capacity, which means pets are being euthanized because no one is interested in taking them home. It’s very common for people to think that animals that come from a shelter are “bad” pets, but this is not the case. People choose to surrender their pets for MANY reasons. From moving to health issues, to simply not wanting them anymore. You can find young and old pets that have the same great qualities as the ones you would buy from a breeder/puppy mill. Like I said, I’m an avid supporter of choosing to rescue/adopt, and I even worked in an animal shelter and fostered. Seeing these animals being given up and thrown in a shelter after spending their whole life with someone is heartbreaking. The shelter is a stressful place for these animals, which is why it’s important to know how simple actions can affect the bigger picture.
What can YOU do?
Start by doing your own research before you choose to purchase a pet. A reputable breeder will not sell their pets in ads/pet stores or offer discounts. They will do genetic testing that you should easily have access to. You should also ask to see how the parents of the pet live and the home they are in. Use your resources to see how they treat their animals. Is it humane? Do they sell their pets in a store? Do they have a rehome policy or open transparency? This shouldn’t be a sneaky process.
You should ALWAYS consider adopting. If you have a specific breed or age you are interested in, look into your local shelters/rescues. Chances are, they already have what you’re looking for.
Resources you might need…
- If you find an animal, call your local animal control or non-emergency police department. They can scan for a microchip and either get in touch with their owner or take them to the shelter in their area.
- The Pet Project Midwest is a small local (Des Moines, IA) organization that helps provide resources for pet food pantries and affordable clinics. Many times, people are forced to give up their beloved pets due to other factors like domestic violence and homelessness. The ARL crisis program helps keep pets with their owners during hard times.
- Bailing Out Benji is a small organization dedicated to ending puppy mills through research and advocacy. They have phenomenal information on breeders, brokers, and puppy mills. They also have a licensed breeder search engine, so you can easily search for breeders. Whether you’re looking to buy a pet or are interested in learning more about inhumane breeding, check it out!
- Petfinder is a website that lists adoptable pets in your area. You can search by breed, age, and location. This is a wonderful resource that takes the stress out of checking resources/shelters, but still choosing to adopt.
- If you can’t permanently adopt but have the opportunity to help by giving pets a temporary home, I urge you to consider fostering. It’s a great way to give help to the animals in shelters and give them a sense of normalcy. Get in touch with our local rescues/shelters and ask to know more about how to foster. If you can’t adopt, foster, or volunteer, the simplest way to help spread awareness is to share these things on social media. Follow different shelters that post their adoptable pets and local organizations that talk about food pantries. Share these things so that other people have a chance to educate themselves.
- The 333 rule is a simple rule of thumb for recently adopted/rescued pets. Most rescued pets have been living in fight or flight for so long that they don’t know any different. The rule says that after you take them home, it will take 3 days for them to decompress or settle in, 3 weeks for them to adjust to their new home and routines, and 3 months for them to show their true personality and fully start to trust you. Patience is key!
