Now that that is out there (!!), I am from a small town..where I did not even know rescue existed..or was needed. I had heard of shelters of course..but there was none for hours and hours from where we lived-so I just didn't see it first hand. When I moved out-I wanted a dog...an American Eskimo. I did what I thought everyone did..I bought her from a breeder. Here is my experience from this-and why when I was younger and didn't live in the city..I didn't see anything wrong with buying a dog.
I found a family who lived in the country and had two female Eskimos. Their friend had the male. The dogs were their PETS, lived in the house..had fancy little beds. The moms only had one litter every OTHER year. The puppies stayed in the house with the family. The puppies weren't allowed to go home until they were old enough for their second set of shots. So she came to me with her first and second set. She was dewormed and treated for fleas. She came with a health certificate proving the family had good health. She was in pristine, fluffy white condition. They had cut the blanket the mama dog laid on into 6 pieces-one to send home with each puppy, so they would feel comforted by the smell of their family. She came home with a bag of food, some of her favorite treats, and three of her favorite toys. They were crying, and handed her to me, with an adorable bandana around her neck, and a bow in her hair. They called to check up on her often.
They were amazing..took such good care of their dogs! In a perfect world..this would be great! But sadly, there are so many jerks out to make a quick buck, who do NOT care who the dogs go to. Who do NOT send the babies home dewormed and with shots, and certainly without any health certificates. Who do NOT treat them as their loving family pets.
Once I moved to the KC area and adopted our first rescued cat-I was HORRIFIED. I cried, and was filled with RAGE! How can humans allow this to happen?! Don't people care?! The answer is no. Most don't and the rest turn their heads. The small bit of us who DO try to do our part can't keep up and are constantly overwhelmed. It's heart breaking. My "breeder bought" dog is now 9 years old..and definitely lived the life. I am not saying I wish I didn't have her-she was my very first baby..and I love her to death. If I had known THEN what I know NOW, I most certainly would not have bought a puppy from a breeder. I would have found a rescue and adopted one. EVEN THOUGH, they were basically picture perfect breeders, who take such amazing care of their animals.
The fact is-there are TOO MANY being bred, too many being born, and not enough awesome homes. Thank goodness for the awesome families who choose adoption and bring a rescued animal into their homes. Thank GOODNESS for the amazing people who selflessly open their homes to fosters....it's expensive, exhausting...but we do it for the animals. Because the reward of kisses, love, and seeing a once terrified animal HAPPY-are worth more than money can ever buy you. So far on my rescue adventure..I find when you save an animals life..you also save a piece of yourself.
Save a life...ADOPT!
~Stephanie, Kitties & Kritters
