The threads about shooting cats and selling 4-5 week puppies, etc. has got me wanting to start a thread on what we can do to help curb the problem. Who knows, maybe we could be a grass roots organization (yet another to help try and educate and lobby for a change?).
I really think the majority of "loving" pet owners are in it for the good. They spay/neuter their pets. Many shelters and humane societies spay/neuter before the animals can be adopted. And that's good. Many shelter and humane societies give a "certificate" towards spay/neuter. Bad idea. They either follow through with the cause, or they don't. If someone can't afford to spay/neuter their pet, then they can't afford the pet.
There needs to be more regulation on who gets to breed. I know this sounds simple, and I know it's NOT! Don't get me wrong. But there's GOT to be a line drawn somewhere. To begin with, there should be NO pets sold in petstores. If that stops, the puppymills, etc. stop (or it will go underground, for sure). Second of all, there needs to be strict regulations on breeders. No more backyard breeders where they think it would be cute to breed their golden to a poodle down the road and start selling Golden Doodles without knowing what the h*ll they're doing. And unless you are "furthering the breed" for show or for breeding in LIMITED instances, you are not to breed your dog.
Is this so far-fetched in our future? There will always be "strays" and those that fall through the cracks. But, I am at least encouraged by the rights our animals are receiving more and more these days. Your thoughts are welcome to this subject!
I really think the majority of "loving" pet owners are in it for the good. They spay/neuter their pets. Many shelters and humane societies spay/neuter before the animals can be adopted. And that's good. Many shelter and humane societies give a "certificate" towards spay/neuter. Bad idea. They either follow through with the cause, or they don't. If someone can't afford to spay/neuter their pet, then they can't afford the pet.
There needs to be more regulation on who gets to breed. I know this sounds simple, and I know it's NOT! Don't get me wrong. But there's GOT to be a line drawn somewhere. To begin with, there should be NO pets sold in petstores. If that stops, the puppymills, etc. stop (or it will go underground, for sure). Second of all, there needs to be strict regulations on breeders. No more backyard breeders where they think it would be cute to breed their golden to a poodle down the road and start selling Golden Doodles without knowing what the h*ll they're doing. And unless you are "furthering the breed" for show or for breeding in LIMITED instances, you are not to breed your dog.
Is this so far-fetched in our future? There will always be "strays" and those that fall through the cracks. But, I am at least encouraged by the rights our animals are receiving more and more these days. Your thoughts are welcome to this subject!