If you buy a puppy from a pet store, it probably came from a puppy mill, a large-scale, inhumane breeding operation that places profit over the well-being of the animals. In most states, these commercial breeding kennels can legally keep hundreds of dogs in cages their entire lives, for the sole purpose of continuously churning out puppies. Cat breeding occurs under similar conditions to supply pet stores with kittens. Backyard breeders are no better. Many continuously breed animals for years to produce litters for a profit. Animals you find through classified lists or on the internet often come through the same channels. If you buy an animal from them, you are contributing to and encouraging the overpopulation problem.
When puppy mills and backyard breeders flood the market with animals, they reduce homes available for animals from reputable establishments, shelters and rescue groups. Did you know that 7.6 million pets enter shelters annually? Of those 2.7 million are euthanized. The Arizona Humane Society alone takes in 31,000 animals per year. Please consider adopting your new pet from a rescue organization or shelter.
The Benefits of Adopting an Adult Cat or Dog:
Many shelter or foster dogs already have some basic training. They are usually housebroken and you don’t have to wait to find out their personality. They will probably have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped too! Myth: “If I rescue, I won’t know what I’m getting.” Actually, the opposite is true. When you adopt an adult, you know their size, temperament, health conditions, likes and dislikes. Because puppy mills and backyard breeders choose profit over animal welfare, their animals typically do not receive proper veterinary care. Animals may seem healthy at first but later show issues like congenital eye and hip defects, parasites or even the deadly Parvovirus.
Are You Looking For a Puppy or a Specific Breed?
You can absolutely find puppies at rescue groups and shelters if that is what you want. There are rescue groups dedicated to nearly every breed, and many rescues and shelters will make a note on the kind of pet you desire and will notify you when they get one.
Where Can I Find a Pet to Rescue?
Check out our blog on How to Find Your New Best Friend for a list of places to look for your next pet. This is not a complete list, but it will get you started! You can do a Google search under a specific breed too. From pugs to poodles to pit bulls , there is a rescue!