wtf IS SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND???

[CindyR]

This is addressed to all breeders of dogs, cats, horses, goats, guinea pigs, birds, etc etc etc. You KNOW we live in a throw-away society, right? Then WHY do you continue to bring new lives into this world when there aren't enough homes for the creatures ALREADY HERE???? I DO NOT understand the rationale. Cannot begin to comprehend it. Backyard breeders, AKC breeders, puppy mill breeders, people that let their unneutered pets run at large...... you are all on the same page in my book. I don't care HOW friggin' cute or special your little 'Fluffy' is, we DON'T NEED MORE Fluffys. Please take a trip to the Animal Shelter on a euthanasia day, or to the equine meat packing plants in Mexico, or to downtown anytown USA where feral cats run amok. What is it about this picture that you don't understand?? Or choose to ignore??? P-L-E-A-S-E I want an explanation........

from the HSUS website:

Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year:
6-8 million (HSUS estimate)

Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year:
3-4 million (HSUS estimate)

Number of cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year:
3-4 million (HSUS estimate)

Number of cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year:
Between 600,000 and 750,000—30 percent of dogs and 2-5 percent of cats entering shelters (HSUS estimate)

Number of animal shelters in the United States:
Between 4,000 and 6,000 (HSUS estimate)

Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred:
25 percent (HSUS estimate)

Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3

Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4-6

Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2

Average number of puppies in a canine litter: 6-10

[Nina Chiotasso]

At this point though, it is a supply and demand concept. If people do not buy from breeders, they will still eventually sell their "products" but not at the prices and speed they were once able to demand. If the profits decrease and it becomes more difficult to sell their puppies, they will be less likely to bring another litter into the world. I think we have a better chance reaching the buyers than the breeders, many of whom do not know about breed rescues or the fact that many purebred dogs end up in shelters. In Espanola right now, we have a purebred: Plotthound (2 of them), miniature poodle, chihuahua, siberian husky, yellow lab (2 of them), and a blue heeler. We get purebreds all the time, people just dont know to come to us to adopt rather than buy. They also see buying as "saving a life" from a pet store without realizing that their purchase is contributing to the problem.

[Sloan Cunningham]

I'm with you Julie, City Animal Services I fear is overwhelmed and understaffed. Last I knew they do look at the ads - has to be a landline to try to locate. I've always thought of doing what you suggest.

[Julie L]

I know Animal Control is overwhelmed, but I'd love to see a sting operation set up to catch illegal breeders in town. Answer an ad, ask if the pet's registered to be unspayed, it's not, fine them, take the puppies if they're weaned. Give them a week to spay the dog. Check back. Spread the word around breeders are getting checked. But I guess the fine is so small it wouldn't deter them. Stiffer fines might help?

[CindyR]

Oh, I agree that education is key also! Absolutely. But we cannot only target the end buyer. That was my point.

[Ben Swan]

There are some who breed, and then there are those who just don't get it. Both need education.

[Lily Azures]

I mean to approach it as they do drugs...prevention education in the schools. Drugs was simply an example.

[CindyR]

The onus rests on the breeder. This isn't like drugs that will blow away in the wind if someone doesn't buy them. These are lives that end up SOMEWHERE. The onus rests on the breeder.

[Lily Azures]

The statistics take my breath away...I am haunted by what some of these animals go thru. I think Ben has a good idea...look more to the buyer. When I first moved to SF I needed a vet and went to the one closest to me...when I walked in everyone in the waiting room had a "designer" dog...whatever is hot at the time..I was saddened by it then and am still. What about educating children in the classrooms? They do that when teaching kids about the danger of drugs...just a thought.

[Ben Swan]

Maybe we need to tackle the problem like drugs (not necessarily a war on drugs, thank you Nancy Reagan) but look at the user (buyer) more than the supplier. Breeders are in the business because it makes money. If no one buys their product, then they go out of business. Just a thought.

[Claudia Inoue]

There are PEOPLE who should be spayed/neutered because they shouldn't have kids to pass on THEIR stupidity to...Animal Overpopulation is a big hot button issue for me as well....Cindy hit it right on the head...WTF????