I didn't want to turn this into a rescue vs. breeder debate, but it is really hard for me to sit her and watch all these rescues being bashed.
So, I'm sorry to the OP, for hijacking for your thread, but I just have to say something.
Rescue groups see some of the most horrifying abuse and neglect cases-I mean, really, it is hard for me to believe there are human beings out there that are capable of such heinous abuse to a living thing. But, there are. And these rescue groups take in those animals and gently nurse them back to health-sometimes spending thousands upon thousands of dollars to bring them back to health (not kidding, one rescue group I am involved in frequently spends 2000-3000 on a given dog-they are known as the go to group in our city for the worst possible cases).
And, then the time that is involved. These are people with full time jobs and families and they do adoption events on the weekend, they do home visits during the week and they drive all over the city to pick up an animal in need (not to mention the vet visits, groomer visits and time answering e-mails and processing applications). And nursing a dog to health? It is an enormous amount of time.
Think about the time you spend with your one animal-then multiply that by 80 or 100-(and 20 of them being seriously ill or injured).
And, yes, there are bad rescue groups. Not denying it. It is a shame the exist because they bring a bad reputation to the rescue groups who try so diligently to help animals and find them good, loving homes.
However, there are bad breeders, too. The rescue groups frequently take in their cast offs-the ones that they can't sell, the mothers that can't produce puppies anymore, the ones that are sick that they don't want to spend the money to make better. I have seen those dogs (and fostered one, as well).
So, please remember when you bash the rescue groups-they are doing the work that no one else wants to do. They see things that NO ONE should ever have to see (and if you did, you would understand why they don't always like people so much and are weary of everyone, they have seen the worst possible side of human nature). I can't even post pictures of some of the dog abuse cases I have seen, because they are just too graphic.
OP-I am sincerely sorry to hijack your thread, please forgive me. I just couldn't take the rescue bashing any longer...