Ethical question: Buying pets

[Medusa]

Is it wrong to ever purchase pets? Should we only adopt pets?

[B. de Corbin]

Re: Ethical question: Buying pets

No.

But I, personally, generally adopt. I like mutt animals.

[Medusa]

Re: Ethical question: Buying pets

I have done both. I can think of lots of reasons to buy from a reputable breeder. Such as allergies, for specific temperament issues *as in for military, police and special needs dogs. Or just because you want that particular breed for whatever reason you want. I do think however, you have a duty to actually research the facility you are adopting from. We've all seen the horror stories on the news of puppy mills etc. Some people are cut out to adopt. Some are cut out to get a specific dog they want and that's ok with me too.

[Roknrol]

Re: Ethical question: Buying pets

Is it wrong to ever purchase pets?

Sure...if you're purchasing them for sex or something, I would say that's "wrong".

Should we only adopt pets?

Mwa? I'm not sure I'm getting the distinction here - adopting as opposed to? Stealing? Getting from a shelter or a breeder is adoption either way, right?

I do agree that people should do their own research, and obviously I hate the puppy/kitty farms, but aside from just personally avoiding them I'm not quite sure how to "fix" that problem.

Money fucks up everything.

[Maria de Luna]

Re: Ethical question: Buying pets

Buying from pet stores is where the puppy mill thing comes into play a lot. But buying a puppy from a person who breeds em is not wrong, I like getting my animals from shelters. I always like to tell the sad Sarah maglachlin commercials to piss off, I adopted kitties, and that's more than most people do, but if ya wanna buy a puppy, that's ok too, all dogs need homes.

[Roknrol]

Re: Ethical question: Buying pets

We *normally* get our pets from shelters or from other owners that need to get rid of them...but the next dog we get will be a puppy. I am sick to death of being responsible for fixing psychological problems caused by other people.

[Dez]

Re: Ethical question: Buying pets

The shelters here are so crowded that they're putting purebreds to sleep.

I don't like that we are at a point where there are a lot of "breeders" who have no clue what they're doing, breeding sickly inbred creatures. More and more it's a scam.

[Tylluan Penry]

Re: Ethical question: Buying pets

Any dog, even a pure-breed can end up needing to be adopted. And as Rok says, some adoptees do have awful psychological problems caused by their early treatment.

We've had St Bernards (and other breeds) for decades now, and it always saddens me how many Saints end up in rescue because their stupid bloody owners never understood just how big they can grow. Or that when they leave a muddy footprint, it's going to be the size of a dinner plate.

We've adopted (cats, dogs and numerous rabbits.) And we've bought from breeders. I don't think there's much of a moral high ground in this unless it's that of giving an animal a good home.

[DanieMarie]

Re: Ethical question: Buying pets

I can think of lots of reasons to buy from a reputable breeder. Such as allergies, for specific temperament issues *as in for military, police and special needs dogs. Or just because you want that particular breed for whatever reason you want. I do think however, you have a duty to actually research the facility you are adopting from. We've all seen the horror stories on the news of puppy mills etc. Some people are cut out to adopt. Some are cut out to get a specific dog they want and that's ok with me too.

I agree. I do wish that more people would consider adopting though, especially when it comes to slightly older cats. People have a lot of prejudices about it and they're not usually true. Also, missing the "kitten" stage isn't really a huge deal when it comes down to it. They're cute, but that stage is very short and kittens can also be very taxing. I think a lot of people would be better off adopting adult cats (especially if they work full time), but some just won't consider it. Adopting older animals isn't for everyone either, but it's something to think about.

I took any talk of dogs out of my original post, because I admit I have no experience with them. I only have experience with cats. I have adopted two adult cats. There was an adjustment period (the second was longer), but both were very successful. Friends who have adopted adult cats have also had good experiences. I think dogs might be harder, though. Behaviour problems in dogs can be more difficult to manage.

[anunitu]

Re: Ethical question: Buying pets

I tend to like mixed breeds(Mutts) mainly I think they are less likely to have genetic problems. The breeding mills tend to inbreed way to much to be able to say they are pure bred. The mutts tend to have enough diversity to breed out a lot of genetic problems. This just from my own personal history with pets.

[Rae'ya]

Re: Ethical question: Buying pets

I'll answer this without reading other replies first... because I'm lazy.

Is it wrong to ever purchase pets? Should we only adopt pets?

It may come as a surprise to some, but my answer is no. I think that purchase is fine. I see no problem with purchase rather than adoption. I do think that anyone who wants a pet should consider adoption through a reputable shelter as a viable alternative, but I certainly don't judge people who want to purchase an animal.

However, I AM against no-kill shelters. And I AM against pet shops selling dogs and pets. And I DO think that speying/neutering should be compulsory unless you are a registered breeder. And I AM against certain breed standards that perpetuate dysfunctional breeds.

- - - Updated - - -

I don't like that we are at a point where there are a lot of "breeders" who have no clue what they're doing, breeding sickly inbred creatures. More and more it's a scam.

Unfortunately, a lot of breeders DO know what they are doing, but they do it anyway. Many breed clubs don't care about the health considerations, just about their precious aesthetics and breed standards.

I would like to see compulsory licensing or registration for all breeders, but I would also like people be able to get a license or registration to breed cross-breeds. I don't think that only pure-breeds should be bred. But I hate that backyard breeders and puppy mills exist. And I hate that some 'reputable' registered breeders keep multiple bitches in concrete runs and don't socialise their dogs properly. Puppy mills aren't the only breeders who mistreat or neglect their animals.

[Amadi]

Re: Ethical question: Buying pets

We've never adopted, always purchased or bred, mainly because we've found a younger animal is far easier to train (though our old doggie has no problems when he needs to learn) and reasons similar to Rok's.
We've got nothing against adoption though I just feel someone should be made aware of how an animal's going to turn out before they go out and bloody buy one over their heads, I think stricter sale guidelines should be set for breeders, to stop a good dog being sold to a bad owner. The first time we got a shepherd they did so much to make sure we were ready! (bringing out the uncle -biggest dog I have ever seen- first, taking us through training and quizzes, making two or three puppy classes mandatory with them and checking up on us for the first few months)

[Roknrol]

Re: Ethical question: Buying pets

Rae'ya - what's wrong with no-kill shelters (other than the fact that they fill up and can't take as many new animals)?

I understand that some animals just need to be put down...it's the nature of caring for another species (violent/rabid whatever)...but I don't think I've ever heard anything bad about no-kill other than the space thing.

[Shahaku]

Re: Ethical question: Buying pets

At this point, I think that breeding should be extremely limited. And most people should adopted. Mostly in an effort to limit the population. I also think that functionality should be a primary factor in competition animals. I'll go into more detail when I'm back to my computer.

[Medusa]

Re: Ethical question: Buying pets

To be honest? In dogs, I've adopted 1 and had a pure bred shep purchased for me as a gift (I was an adult and she was my fave dog in the whole damn world)
Cats? One was purchased for me from an ad in the paper. Some family had a cat and the cat had kittens. Not pure bred or anything. It was at an apt building and I think my ex paid like $20. She was a vet tech, so she took care of all our animals herself.

Buuuuuuuuut most of the cats I've had? I'm actually a cat whisperer of stray cats. I would find them in the alley and sit out there for hours getting them to come close to me. Get them. Love them and made them my own. Is that creepy? Cuz it sounds creepy?