Consider Carefully where your new pet comes from

Consider carefully where your new pet comes from:

There are lots of options as to where you obtain a pet: a shelter, a responsible breeder, a pet store, a friend or neighbour, a newspaper ad

The back yard breeder is the single largest contributor to pet overpopulation, estimated to be the source of 67% of cats and dogs born. The back yard breeder is a friend, neighbour or someone who put an ad in the newspaper. It is anyone who allows their pet to breed, purposely or accidentally. They do not have bad intentions but the results of back yard breeding are devastating.

It is estimated that approximately 3-9 million pets are euthanized each year because there are not enough homes for them. These animals that are euthanized are often healthy and under one year of age, killed in order to make room for more that are flowing into shelters. Their fate may determined by the amount of puppies and kittens that are born. Millions more are abandonned and die of starvation, injury, or illness.

Even if a back yard breeder finds good homes for their puppies or kittens, these are homes that are no longer available to animals in shelters that the waiting for homes. The result is that they are euthanized.

Back Yard Breeder Responsible Breeder

Motivation: “fun”, “good for kids”, “to make money. Does not tend to screen buyers and may not refuse to sell pups to an unsuitable home.

Motivation: To produce quality dogs. Not in it to make money and seldom make a profit. Will only sell pups to approved buyers.

Breeding: May breed the family pet to any pet of the same breed to have a purebred litter. No understanding of genetic issues or breed improvement.

Breeding: Plans breeding and seeks to minimize genetic issues.

Testing: The pets may be loved but are not often tested for things like hip dysplasia or other genetic problems.

Testing: Will not breed females under 2 years old. Has dogs tested for issues and can provide certification to prove tests.

Guarantee: Offers no health guarantee, proof of vaccines (if vaccinated at all) or information about vaccines needed. Are often unqualified to help if problems arise.

Guarantee: Provide a written contract and will replace a dog with genetic issues or help the owner deal with a problem if it arises.

Viewing: May be unwilling to show the entire litter or the parents. May tend to push for a sale as opposed to matching a puppy with the right home.

Viewing: Will show the litter and mother in a sanitary area. Helps the buyer determine which pup is best for the home.

Costs: Prices may be at the lower end, and tend to advertise in a newspaper.

Costs: May be higher in cost, but the breeder doesn’t do breeding to make a profit. Has an established waiting list and does not advertise in the newspaper.

Follow up: No concern for the future of the pups or the breed. If you can’t keep the pup, may suggest that you sell it or surrender it to a shelter. No Spay/Neuter contract.

Follow up: After purchase will help with grooming or training problems. Will take a pup back rather than see it sold or given away. Will provide a Spay/Neuter contract.