Adopt or Shop?
How to find responsible,
ethical breeders and rescues.
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By Emily Young
“Adopt don’t shop” is a saying that has gained popularity over the past few years. There is a way to shop or adopt responsibly! Inherently, there is nothing wrong with adopting or shopping, because you are paying for a pet either way.
Types of breeders and what they do
There are 2 types of breeders: backyard breeders and responsible breeders.
Responsible Breeders:
Responsible breeders do not breed for money or for their dogs to have puppies because, “She should have at least one litter, she would be a great mom!” Responsible breeders, breed to better their breed or add a legacy to the breed. They do all the correct health testing, temperament testing, and they title their dogs, either in shows or sports, and they only breed dogs that would pass down traits and type to better the breed. Most people will choose the cheaper route when buying a dog because they “don’t want a show dog.” What people don’t realize when purchasing a dog from a breeder who shows is that they are paying for a puppy whose parents are within breed standard, well socialized, and the dog has a great temperament.
What kind of health testing do responsible breeders do?
They do not use Embark as an all means to health testing. Embark is helpful when wanting to know for some testable genetic diseases such as MDR1 Drug Sensitivity, usually found in Australian Shepherds (and many other breeds), and color testing. Embark is a useful asset, when paired with OFA. OFA, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, is a database for canine genetic diseases. With OFA, breeders can submit their dogs results from their veterinarian to be scored for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, eyes (eye diseases that can be passed down to offspring), patellar luxation (knees popping out of place), heart (gathering data of heart disease for congenital cardiac disease and adult onset cardiac disease: hypertrophic, arrhythmogenic, and dilatative cardiomyopathy), respiratory function (for Brachycephalic breeds, such as Pugs, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and more), Thyroid, and many more.
How do they decide to breed and when to breed?
Purebred does not mean the dog is well bred. Responsible breeders will wait until the dog is at least 2 years of age, passes all breed required health testing, has been proven in showing, sports, and/or “in the field”, which means the dog can do the job it was bred to do. These types of breeders will not just breed any dog they get. The dog must meet the criteria above, then if they decide to breed said dog, they have to find another dog that will complement the dog. Such as, a dog that has a hip score of fair would be bred with a dog that has a hip score of excellent. That is an example of bettering the breed by creating offspring that won’t have a high risk of hip dysplasia. Some responsible breeders will have a litter every 1-3 years.
How do responsible breeders raise puppies?
Responsible breeders will use Puppy Culture or something similar. Puppy Culture is a socialization and training program that breeders will use during the critical socialization period (3 weeks- 16 weeks). This program can consist of touching the puppy’s feet, introducing them to new smells, loud noises, new people, crate training, potty training, and so much more! Puppy Culture gives the puppies and new owners a head-start on life. Puppy Culture also helps the breeder know how each puppy is developing, and which puppy would be best for each home. The puppy has already heard a vacuum, so when you turn yours on at home the puppy isn’t running around and hiding, they’re just lying there!
How do breeders set the puppy and owners up for success?
Breeders offer lifetime support; this is why choosing a responsible breeder you click with is very important. Responsible breeders will also microchip each puppy to them before they go home. This way, if any of their puppies end up at a shelter or rescue, the breeder is notified and will arrange transport to get the puppy. Doing Puppy Culture gives the dog and owner a jump-start into socialization. Breeders will also temperament test the litter of puppies. By temperament testing, they can figure out which puppy would do best with each approved applicant that has applied (yes, for responsible breeders you also have to fill out an application and talk with the breeders before getting a puppy). Responsible breeders have resources in place (microchips and frequently checking in with owners throughout the puppy’s life) to not contribute to the shelter/rescue population.
How to find a responsible breeder:
There are a few ways to find responsible breeders. If you’re looking for a certain breed, like a Doberman Pinscher, you would go to the breed club’s website, Doberman Pinscher Club of America, and look for “find a breeder.” Breeders listed on breed club websites are within good standing of the breed club and follow a code of ethics. Each breed club has different rules. When looking for a breeder, it is important to reach out to them and get to know them. Ask them if you can come meet their dogs, what their expectations are for their puppies, and what kind of health testing they do. Fun fact, you can look up a dog’s health testing on OFA with a CHIC Program number. Always research the breed you’re looking into and find out what health testing should be done. If you’re not sure you can find a reputable breeder for your breed of choice, each breed club also has a breed specific rescue!
Green Flags
Appropriate breed health testing, actively participates in dog sports/dog shows/field trials, open and honest about their dog’s temperaments and drive, actively part of the breed club, has spay/neuter contracts for appropriate ages- does not give full rights with every dog, keeps up with owners throughout the puppy’s lifetime, welcoming to any and all questions, want you to meet their dogs, has a health guarantee, and will take the dog back no matter the circumstance, age of the dog, or distance.
2. Red Flags
Does not do any health testing, does not participate in any activities with their dogs, avoiding questions about health testing, temperaments, and drives, does not want you to meet their adult dogs, will give full breeding right to every puppy that is purchased, breeds any dog they have, multiple litters from one female in the span of a year, breeding dogs under 2 years of age, will not take dogs back at any point in their life, lets potential buyer pick their puppy because of their color, has signs posted around towns/cities about puppies, frequently uses “Champion lines” when advertising puppies, and does not check in with puppy owners.
Responsible Rescues/Shelters
Rescues and shelters are 2 different things with one same goal, to help homeless animals. Rescues are usually foster based and pull animals from shelters. They will place the animal into a foster home to learn more about their behaviors. Shelters get their animals from owner relinquishes, strays, dumped, or transfers from other facilities.
What makes a shelter/rescue responsible?
Responsible shelters/rescues have a clear mission, to help homeless pets. Responsible facilities do not adopt out to anyone that wants a pet, there is a process to go through. It’s not a gruesome or invasive process, the volunteers/employees just want to make sure it's the best fit for the family and animals. Responsible rescues/shelters will not discriminate based on working full time or type of yard. They will also have a clause/rule that you must bring the animal back to them, instead of trying to rehome it. These facilities will not adopt out the same day, unless the application has been background checked and pre-approved.
How to spot an unethical rescue/shelter
One way to easily find out if a shelter/rescue is “dog flipping,” is if they frequently have purebred or designer dogs- all types of “doodles” are the most popular right now. If the facility has different adoption fees for animals with papers. If a dog comes into a facility with papers, the breeder should be contacted, not adopted out for an exaggerated fee. The animal should only be adopted out if there’s no way to track the breeder or get into contact with the breed club rescue. Animals that are in rescues/shelters should never be purchased by the facility. Some facilities will bid on dogs that are at auctions or will pay breeders to get a puppy/litter. If a facility is paying to bring in animals, firstly, it is completely irresponsible to use funds to buy an animal, when there are thousands of others that need help. Secondly, that facility is contributing to the problem. At that point they are purchasing from a backyard breeder and continuing the never-ending cycle.
Green Flags:
Offers training
Can help set up training, pay for training, or does training
Helps/active in the community
Has a pet food pantry, takes in community animals that need new homes; owner relinquishes, strays, transfers from animal control or veterinary clinics, and supports the community through events
General care package to go home
Leash, collar, food, toys, and a blanket.
Open to any home, as long as they have a pet that would fit the home
Matches people and animals based on lifestyle, needs and wants, instead of by looks
Thorough background check
No same day adoptions, unless applicant in pre-approved
Must return the animal, instead of rehoming
The animals will always have a spot at the facility, even if they’re full they will make room or have you keep them for another week or 2 until they have room. The animals always have a safe spot to land at the facility.
Avoids sob stories
Many facilities will have posts to pull on heartstrings to gain more donations. While most facilities run on donations, it’s not always ethical to do this.
Openly discloses medical costs or behavior issues
Facilities will hide behavior issues to ensure that the animal gets adopted quickly. This sets the animal and adopter up for failure once the animal is home. Facilities should be open about the medical costs for special needs animals- prescription diet, supplements, and medications.
Red Flags:
Frequently seeing purebreds or designer mixes
When facilities constantly have these types of animals, they are usually unethically sourced. Some facilities will go to auctions and bid on dogs or go directly to breeders to get the puppies.
Frequently has puppies
Facilities that frequently have puppies do that because they are much easier to adopt out, which makes them have a higher adoption rate.
Social media only has posts asking for money or donations
While most facilities run on donations, they should not be begging for money or food for their animals. They should know the cost it takes to run the facility- food, bills, medical costs etc.- and should never run out of food for their animals.
Doesn’t take the animal back
Some facilities will get animals from out of state or the country and adopt them out. Sometimes these animals are up for adoption the day they get off transport or before they’re even at the facility. That is a red flag, as they know nothing about the animals and haven’t truly handled them. If they’re getting frequent transports, they usually will not take animals back as they have many more coming in the next week.
Always has animals from out of state/country
Some facilities will get animals from out of state or the country and adopt them out. Sometimes these animals are up for adoption the day they get off transport or before they’re even at the facility. That is a red flag, as they know nothing about the animals and haven’t truly handled them and they don’t know their personalities or behaviors. Having frequent transports usually means they are not helping animals in the community. If they’re getting frequent transports, they usually will not take animals back as they have many more coming in the next week.
Same day adoptions
Same day adoption usually means, you went in to look at a dog and left with one in the same time frame you got there. Some facilities want the animals out so quickly, you may not even have to fill out an application or have a talk with employees/volunteers. A lot of facilities will not do this, they will have you fill out an application, wait for it to be processed, and then call you.
Not disclosing behavior history- bite history, behavior history
Not disclosing behavior or bite history is an extreme red flag. This is not setting the adopter or animal up for success and can result in something extreme happening.
Always pulling on heartstrings
Many facilities will do this to get their social media interactions up and boost their donations and adoptions.
“Adopt don’t shop’
Adopting and shopping is truly the same thing, just from different sources. No one should be shamed for adopting or purchasing their pet from a responsible breeder. Adopting has many positives: age-appropriate vaccines, microchipped, preventives, altered, and dewormed. It also has many cons- behaviors may not be fully disclosed, may not mesh well with current family animals, could have underlying medical issues. There are also positives from a breeder- parents are health tested, puppies will be socialized, will have first or second round of vaccines/vet check ups depending on the age you get the puppy, knowing what type of temperament and behaviors to expect from the breed. There are also cons- genetic disease that parents were negative for,
Charging different fees for different breeds
This is something many facilities will do. Since most rescues/shelters are swarming with bully breed mixes, they will have an extremely discounted fee for them. Most facilities will have different adoption fees for different age groups, puppies being the highest fee as they have more vaccines and checkups to get. If a facility has different fees for bully breed mixes, purebreds, purebreds with papers, or for designer mixes, this is not good practice. Research Deciding to bring a pet into your home is a significant commitment that should be carefully considered, as most pets will be part of your life for over 10 years. Choosing where to get a pet can be even more challenging. Research on the type of pet you want is crucial. You should consider factors such as the breed, gender, and activity level that best suits your living situation. Do you want a highly active dog or one that prefers lounging on the couch? Once you've determined the type of dog that fits your lifestyle, you can begin exploring options for acquiring one. It's essential to thoroughly research both breeders and shelters/rescues. Getting a pet from an irresponsible breeder or organization can lead to negative experiences and may even result in the pet being returned or ending up in a shelter. Conducting thorough research before bringing an animal into your home can help ensure a positive and lasting experience for both you and the pet.