Misconceptions about shelters
I was having coffee with some friends of mine Sunday evening and as normal with animal people, we were discussing animals. The discussion was centering on magazines and articles and advertising. A friend of mine had noticed ads which featured several breeder groups in the area. This led to a discussion about the advertising and what the magazine person thought. Her response to accepting advertising from breeders was, "You can't get those kinds of dogs at a shelter." (Meaning purebred dogs, I am sure.)
I don't have a problem with publications accepting ads which represent their readership. Reputable breeders are always going to be around, and will, in most cases, accept the animal back if a problem arises and the family can no longer care for them.
I guess I was suprised at the magazine person, for believing the animals who reside in shelters are unacceptable, problem laden, mixed breed dogs.
It is estimated that 25% of all shelter dogs are purebred animals. Many come from pet stores and backyard breeders. Right now at the HSSC, I know of two young Pekineses, which are purebred, we just adopted out a purebred GSD and over the past several months have adopted out an English Bulldog, 2 Standard Poodles, several beagles, several JRT's, a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, a couple of dachsunds, several poodles, several chihuahuas, several labradors and the list goes on and on.
These were purebred dogs. The only difference is they have no papers and will never be bred. They will never contribute to the overpopulation of companion dogs who are euthanized in this country on a daily basis.
This is only one shelter in Sarasota County. This doesn't include the other shelters or the purebred rescue groups of which Florida is full of.
Dogs which come from shelters are just as nice, just as pure and make just as good companions. People who believe anything different should visit their local shelter or rescue group. Maybe then the misconception so many people have about shelters would disappear and more people would avoid pet stores and backyard breeders when looking for a friend.
I don't have a problem with publications accepting ads which represent their readership. Reputable breeders are always going to be around, and will, in most cases, accept the animal back if a problem arises and the family can no longer care for them.
I guess I was suprised at the magazine person, for believing the animals who reside in shelters are unacceptable, problem laden, mixed breed dogs.
It is estimated that 25% of all shelter dogs are purebred animals. Many come from pet stores and backyard breeders. Right now at the HSSC, I know of two young Pekineses, which are purebred, we just adopted out a purebred GSD and over the past several months have adopted out an English Bulldog, 2 Standard Poodles, several beagles, several JRT's, a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, a couple of dachsunds, several poodles, several chihuahuas, several labradors and the list goes on and on.
These were purebred dogs. The only difference is they have no papers and will never be bred. They will never contribute to the overpopulation of companion dogs who are euthanized in this country on a daily basis.
This is only one shelter in Sarasota County. This doesn't include the other shelters or the purebred rescue groups of which Florida is full of.
Dogs which come from shelters are just as nice, just as pure and make just as good companions. People who believe anything different should visit their local shelter or rescue group. Maybe then the misconception so many people have about shelters would disappear and more people would avoid pet stores and backyard breeders when looking for a friend.
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