Buying cats and dogs

What do you think of people who pay for a cat or a dog? I must admit I highly disapprove because there are millions of cats and dogs who are homeless on the street or in shelters. Am I being judgmental?

Some food for thought: If no one reputable breeds/buys we will not have any breeds and eventually theoretically within some generations no more companion animals. I see nothing wrong with purchasing as long as it is from someone who is REALLY reputable/responsible, those are the only ones who should be supported with $ in that way. Here are two quick links about the differences of those types of "breeders"

http://home.comcast.net/~NoPuppyMill..._breeding.html

http://web.archive.org/web/19960101-...e_breeder.html

Most people buy from the hundreds of backyard breeders, and those backyard pet quality animals make more, more, and more...leading to the problem we have today.

I always push adoption. A lot of people have excuses about it, but unless you're showing or breeding the animal, then I think adoption is the best way to go. Even if you're looking for a purebred, it's possible. Both my dogs are adopted and both are purebred. Both my childhood dogs were purebred and both were toys breeds and one was even a puppy when we got her. I especially stress adoption for cats.

If someone is going to go the purchasing route, that's fine, as long as they are educated and buy responsibly. I'm a huge anti- pet store person. I will never ever buy animal from a pet store, especially a puppy. One of the childhood dogs I mentioned was a Chihuahua that had been rescued from a puppy mill bust and spent most of her life in a cage, pumping out litters. I don't even buy supplies from stores that sell puppies. BYBs are another no no. I cannot stress enough how important it is for people to do their research before buying. The only time I ever advocate buying is from a responsible, legitimate breeder who is in it to better the breed, not for the money. Anyone can breed their dogs, but it doesn't make them responsible or reputable.

Many people think they "buy" from shelters/rescues/humane societies - so one must be careful how it's worded.

I have no problem with purchasing from reputable breeders. I know of many shelter volunteers who have purebred pets from breeders.

I feel if that is what the person wants and they do their research and buy from a reputable breeder than great! Personally I want to get another Great Dane in the future and I will buy from a breeder because of so many health problems in the breed as well as having a dog that large I want one from a stable environment and not have to worry about if it was abused and has a trigger. Not to say I would not rescue one too though, infact I am probably going to be fostering danes or bassets in the future.
If I hear someone talking about buying a breed I will stress to them adoption or a reputable breeder!
Mutts and Moggies are great, but sometimes you need an animal for a certain purpose and a breed bred for those purposes are going to be your best bet!

I have no problem with the idea that animals be bred for genetic lines, and if someone wants to buy a particular breed, do it from a reputable breeder.

Personally, we rescue, so we support rescue adoptions. But my grandpa raised sheep and chickens to breed them for show, so I understand that purpose.

I do agree with Nat that you have to be careful about the wording, because I think it's irresponsible to give away rescues. Companion animals should not be free, period. Too risky for the animal without some type of commitment (IMO). Technically they need to be purchased, whether it's from a rescue or a shelter.

Originally Posted by LDG

I have no problem with the idea that animals be bred for genetic lines, and if someone wants to buy a particular breed, do it from a reputable breeder.

Personally, we rescue, so we support rescue adoptions. But my grandpa raised sheep and chickens to breed them for show, so I understand that purpose.

I do agree with Nat that you have to be careful about the wording, because I think it's irresponsible to give away rescues. Companion animals should not be free, period. Too risky for the animal without some type of commitment (IMO). Technically they need to be purchased, whether it's from a rescue or a shelter.

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Well said

I personally have no problem with reputable breeders who breed for the sake of improving the breed and follow the breed standards whether it be cats or dogs. I do not like designer breeds like golden doodles, chiweenies, etc. People who make up those designer breeds are idiots. I remember a few years ago there was something on here about puppy cats...UGH! I also fully support rescues and adoption, if you are looking for a specific breed in a dog then I think people who are looking should not only look at breeders but also be open to the idea of rescue there are tons of breed specific rescues out there. And lets not forget shelters, or even just taking in the animal that someone dropped off.

I agree with a lot of what has already been said. I am all for rescue and adoption myself, but have no problem what so ever with responsible, ethical breeders.

Originally Posted by LDG

I have no problem with the idea that animals be bred for genetic lines, and if someone wants to buy a particular breed, do it from a reputable breeder.

Personally, we rescue, so we support rescue adoptions. But my grandpa raised sheep and chickens to breed them for show, so I understand that purpose.

I do agree with Nat that you have to be careful about the wording, because I think it's irresponsible to give away rescues. Companion animals should not be free, period. Too risky for the animal without some type of commitment (IMO). Technically they need to be purchased, whether it's from a rescue or a shelter.

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My wife and I bought our Russian Blue (Nina) from a very responsible breeder who interviewed us three times before she would let us buy her. She let us adopt Nina's mother Deli, who was fixed and retired after that litter, for free. When we lost her to lymphoma, our vet asked us if we'd like to adopt little Nicky, who was a stray hanging around the vet's office, for free. All that being said, I will have to agree with you as far as paying for a companion animal, but I would also add that interviews and home visits would be nice, too. Just because someone has the money to buy a pet, doesn't necessarily mean that they should have one.

I have four neutered cats, have never bred a litter of kittens in my life, volunteer at the shelter and foster unwanted kittens. I am not unaware of the plight of many animals and I do try to help them.
BTW euthanasia rates here are much, much lower than in the States, people I know are even importing stray cats from Spain, Greece, Turkey, even Lebanon.

But I also have two purebred cats from a very responsible breeder, that was a conscious choice. My first two cats (Ernesto and Mimosa are farmcats) are gorgeous and very dear to me, but they have some behavioral issues that make their lives more complicated and I used to lie awake at night worrying they would die of HCM because they might very well be Ragdoll mixes and there were a lot of Ragdolls dropping dead of HCM back then.

So when we were looking for a third cat I wanted a kitten that would get everything Ernesto and Mimosa never had, just for my own peace of mind. I ended up getting two kittens from a very responsible, loving breeder who screens all her cats for HCM/PKD (and other diseases) and gives her kittens the best start they can have.
Their fantastic socialization and resulting stable temperament is put to good use too, dEUS is one of the few cats our SPCA has available to visit the elderly in care homes where they can't have pets. Other cats would get too stressed out.

Yes, part of the decision to get a purebred is selfish, but on the other hand; should I be made to feel guilty about getting the cat of my dreams when there are cats on the street because other people do not care for their cats as I do ?

Originally Posted by LDG

I do agree with Nat that you have to be careful about the wording, because I think it's irresponsible to give away rescues. Companion animals should not be free, period. Too risky for the animal without some type of commitment (IMO). Technically they need to be purchased, whether it's from a rescue or a shelter.

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It's usually a very bad sign if someone is giving animals away for free.

Originally Posted by Mimosa

BTW euthanasia rates here are much, much lower than in the States, people I know are even importing stray cats from Spain, Greece, Turkey, even Lebanon.

But I also have two purebred cats from a very responsible breeder, that was a conscious choice. My first two cats (Ernesto and Mimosa are farmcats) are gorgeous and very dear to me, but they have some behavioral issues that make their lives more complicated and I used to lie awake at night worrying they would die of HCM because they might very well be Ragdoll mixes and there were a lot of Ragdolls dropping dead of HCM back then.

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We also have people importing stray cats from Estonia. We do have them in our shelters too, so I don't really get the point of importing strays when you have them here too.

All of my cats are from good breeders. I had seen my share of the semi-feral or even wild cats that roamed around (I lived in a small town when I was a kid), how they acted and how badly kittens were brought up if accident litters happened. I do not want to support that. I couldn't find a properly cared/vetted domestic sh/lh when I was looking for a cat, so I decided to get purebreds, and that was the right choise for me. I want to know what I'm getting. I needed an easy going breed which would adjust well if I get more cats etc, and luckily I found the perfect match. For example: I love Siberian Huskies, but I can't get one because the breed just doesn't fit my life style at all. How do I know this? Beacuse they have been bred to be like they are.
I want to raise the general respect towards cats, I don't think they should be given up to just anyone who wants one. That's one reason I'm starting to breed them.

I think that I bought Butzie because of the shelter fees and she had even been fixed before so I didn't have that fee. What do I care? I got the best cat ever.

Originally Posted by Primula

What do you think of people who pay for a cat or a dog? I must admit I highly disapprove because there are millions of cats and dogs who are homeless on the street or in shelters. Am I being judgmental?

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are you on about breeds?

I bought both my "moggies" from a friend.....does that make me a bad person because i didnt go to a shelter and rescue them?????

I have never bought a cat in my life, but don't really have a problem with people that want a particular breed....
the cats I've had in my life had been abandoned or abused. But last year I almost bought a pure breed persian kitty from a reputable breeder.
As long as they all find loving homes, whether they're bought or rescued, is the important thing.

I would never give a rescue kitten/stray cat away free to anyone I didn't know. a fee ( even a small one on top of the vaccination and neutering charges) makes people more responsible by putting a value on the animal.

and vito was bought from a farm, hes a border collie

the more i think about this topic it upsets me that some people might think im an awful person because i didnt go to a shelter for my cats, i bought them off a friend

Originally Posted by -_aj_-

and vito was bought from a farm, hes a border collie

the more i think about this topic it upsets me that some people might think im an awful person because i didnt go to a shelter for my cats, i bought them off a friend

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No one will ever think you're a bad person!!! Never-ever
You love and care for your kitties..and that is ALL that matters!!! Not where they came from or how you got them. The point is you got them and they love you for it!!!

Originally Posted by jennyranson

I would never give a rescue kitten/stray cat away free to anyone I didn't know. a fee ( even a small one on top of the vaccination and neutering charges) makes people more responsible by putting a value on the animal.

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I have seen people who paid thousands for a purebred animal treat the pet poorly and later dump it or try to sell the pet on craigslist, not a one time event either, and seen those who got free pets treat those pets like royalty for their whole life. It is the person who treats the pet right or wrong based on their moral value system, money oftentimes has little to do with it in a thoughtful caring person. That is why pre-screening is so so important in any type of rehoming situation.

Originally Posted by cococat

I have seen people who paid thousands for a purebred animal treat the pet poorly and later dump it or try to sell the pet on craigslist, not a one time event either, and seen those who got free pets treat those pets like royalty for their whole life. It is the person who treats the pet right or wrong based on their moral value system, money oftentimes has little to do with it in a thoughtful caring person. That is why pre-screening is so so important in any type of rehoming situation.

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I agree... I used to met people who spent upwards of 3000$ USD on a dog or cat and wanted to feed it the cheapest food and not go to the vet. The common reason was I just spent $$$$ on this animal. Where as the one found at the side of the road new pet parent would ask all kinds of ?s and spend what was needed( normally not a lot ). I did charge a small fee for the kittens I re homed mostly to get rid of the instant I want a kitty person and lessen the risk of the poor animals being used in the labs ...