Pound Puppies
It's been awhile, sorry. While I've been ignoring this blog, I've been watching a fight brew in a chat I visit. The issue is animal adoption. One of the people involved is choosing to buy a dog from a breeder. The other person is a staunch animal rights activist and has taken to berating her openly and is actively recruiting others to harass her. He even started a chain email to petition her to get an animal from the local pound. This has been going on for almost two weeks now. It's gotten to the point where I think the animal rights activist has been banned from the chat.
Personally, I cannot understand how someone would buy a pet when there are so many animals in shelters, especially today when many people are giving up their companion animals because of financial issues. And yet, it is very common. My cousin bought himself a boxer last year, and a co-worker is getting herself an English Bulldog. Both of them have purchased their animals from breeders. I tried to dissuade them, but they both had their minds made up, and nothing I said had any influence. I even sent them links to websites for rescues for the breeds they were looking for. Also, it's not uncommon to find specific breeds at local animal shelters today. But my money is still on the mutts.
Regardless of how you feel however, if someone wants to buy a companion animal, they currently have that right. So I find myself in the interesting position of siding with the person who bought her dog, even though I think what she is doing is morally wrong. But her antagonist is really out there. The most bizarre thing about all this is that they live on different continents. It almost seems like he is venting all his frustrations at her because she is so far away and can't really retaliate. Regardless, it is her choice. It is still very legal in this country to breed and sell animals. His behavior is alienating others on the board who might otherwise be on his "side." This chat has nothing to do with animal rights or veganism.
Having said all that, if you are considering getting a pet in the near future, please look to your local animal shelters. There are so many wonderful animals in need of a good home. Petfinder, which is an on-line, searchable database of animals that need homes, has animals all across North America. Be aware that each shelter has their own set of fees and requirements for adoptees.
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5 comments
The Voracious Vegan on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at
I also don’t understand how people could buy from a breeder when there are MILLIONS of dogs in shelters just waiting for a forever home. And even if people want a pure bred dog (another ridiculous notion) 1/4 of all shelter dogs ARE pure bred and they have breed specific rescue groups. There is never any reason to buy a dog from a breeder or a pet store.
Tristan on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at
Regardless, it is her choice. It is still very legal in this country to breed and sell animals. His behavior is alienating others on the board who might otherwise be on his “side.” This chat has nothing to do with animal rights or veganism.
Laws are not always the nadir of how to conduct ourselves as evidenced by the laws on slavery, the miscegenation laws of 1913-1948, and the Nuremberg Laws of Nazi Germany to name a few. I am glad that there were people who were “really out there” as antagonists to some of these laws because otherwise it would still be legal for my family and myself to be bred, separated, and sold. John Brown and other abolitionists are now considered heroes although at the time they openly “berated” and were known to “actively recruit(ing) others to harass. . .” slave owners.
I feel that whenever there is a non human being abused is a time for the issue to be addressed for we as activists are their only voice. Being sold as property although legal constitutes just as much of an abuse as the human equivalentand should arouse just as much moral repugnance.
You state that: So I find myself in the interesting position of siding with the person who bought her dog, even though I think what she is doing is morally wrong.
Would this statement still hold true if the being to be sold were a human baby? Would you ever side with someone who hurts another human being even if you knew it was morally wrong? Would the soon to be slave owners sensibilities still be your main concern? Did you speak out for the non human slaves in your chat room?
If your answers depend upon the species of the soul who is being abused, then I suggest pondering upon the meaning of speciesism.
Francesca on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at
Hmm well I want to start out by saying I am an animal lover especially dogs. I have 5 of my own and 2 fosters at any given time for a local rescue. 3 of mine being 2 adopted from shelter and 3 are my akc champions that I show and breed.
No with that being said I can not stand when other try and force people to adopt against buying by bullying and berating. It is a persons choice whether to adopt or buy. I personally don’t believe that breeders should be villianized. All the dogs in the shelter had an owner at one point in time it is their irresponsibility that put their dog in the shelter. Breeders are not responsible for the millions of people dumping their responsibilities. Breeders are not responsible for owners abandoning pets abusing pets or using pets for fighting. Ifeveryone who bought a cute puppy kept that puppy until the day they died their would not be as big of a problem with shelters being filled up. I understand things happen situations change but that is not your dogs fault.
I just wish the blame would be layed where it is deserved with irresponsible owners and not all at breeders feet.
Alex on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at
I think Francesca may be correct up to a point. Breeders should be challenged because we can’t reasonably separate the millions of unwanted companion animals from the actions of breeders who specifically feed the system with a continuous flow of more animals. Cause and effect may be difficult to discern, however, Francesca is being intellectually dishonest on this point.
But the “owners” should be challenged as well because the breeders wouldn’t be exploiting animals if the demand wasn’t there. But this last point is tentative given that the demand isn’t produced in a vacuum. The breeding industry, including those who show animals and the AKC, create demand for their “product” by demeaning rescue or shelter animals. The point is made constantly that you don’t know where the shelter animal comes from and therefore purchasing from a breeder is the safe choice.
The crux is this though. If you purchase an animal from a breeder you are denying a home, and life no doubt, to another animal. This is manifest because you are funding the industry and the consequence is keeping demand up while millions of unwanted animals, already in existence, go without a family.
I wrote a post some time ago about the problems inherent in the breeders philosophy:
http://thatvegangirl.com/2008/12/31/the-breeders-paradox/
¡Yo Soy Liz! on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at
Grrrrr nothing irritates me more when people insist on getting pets from breeders. I just got back from Mexico where emaciated dogs roam the streets every where you look. How can people look the other way when there are so many helpless animals in need of homes? I have a very hard time socializing with people who buy pets, I just can’t keep my mouth shut when it comes to the topic.