PETA...hmmmm.

[merryweather20]

Try page 2 post 17 and 22.

PETA's killing spree has been rather well publicized. Of course there is no report on the animals health. This would be PETA's responsibility. When PETA was illegally dumping dogs in dumpsters several years ago they had vetrinarians examine them, and these were otherwise healthy animals.

Other shelters that have surrendered animals to PETA, did keep records of the animals health and their otherwise healthy animals were killed.

Of course once they get into PETA's hands its another story, kill, kill, kill.

 

[Jynohn]

Do you honestly think that a not-for-profit organization that stands for the prevention of cruelty for animals would perpousfully kill healthy animals? Working for the prevention of pet overpopulation is a losing battle.

I ABSOLUTELY believe that they purposefully kill healthy animals. They are a radical, extremist group who advocate the extermination of all domestic animals. They feel that owning a pet is akin to slavery, and believe that an animal is better off dead than living in "bondage."

As for the pet overpopulation problem, that is largely a myth as well. In many areas there is a shortage of healthy, adoptable pets. I live in the northeast, and the vast majority of shelter dogs here are pits or pit mixes, or other large mixed breeds of questionable backgrounds. It is very rare to find a healthy purebred in a shelter. Those dogs (if they end up in shelters at all, as responsible breeders will take back any of their puppies if the need arises) are adopted immediately. Many shelters around here actually import dogs from other states, and even South America to fill the need for adoptable pets.

Irresponsible owners who don't properly train and care for their dogs, and allow them to breed indiscriminately are responsible for the mixed breeds and poorly socialized dogs who end up in shelters. PETA doesn't discriminate between them and the responsible breeders who dedicate their lives to breeding healthy and sound family companions. In their eyes, we're all the same, evil people who make a "living" off of the suffering of animals.

 

[joviroxx]

Do you honestly think that a not-for-profit organization that stands for the prevention of cruelty for animals would perpousfully kill healthy animals?

Yes. Their "idea" of being cruel to animals is keeping them as pets. They don't believe in pets being kept by anyone. They are on a mission to "phase out" pet ownership. Their agenda isn't that hidden is you do some research about them.

 

[castleview]

PETA is insane. Their goal is that no animal should be used as a pet, service animal, food, or clothing. They may have started off as a decent organization, but now their tactics are just too out there.

Having said that, I won't buy a dog from a pet store because they come from puppy mills. The only way I get a puppy mill dog is when the mill has been shut down and the dogs have been rescued.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I haven't read anything other than the first 2-3 posts, so this isn't directed at any recent posts.

Some random thoughts:

The biggest problem is the general public. They need to be educated about the situation.
There is this "mindset" among the majority that a thoroughbred dog is better than a mutt.
This definitely is NOT true. Most of your thoroughbreds were at one point mutts. The market changes and new breeds are introduced as thoroughbred. There are plenty of examples of such.
Before you buy a dog; ahem... a thoroughbred, so you can brag to your friends that you have this particular breed of dog with papers, consider this...
If you buy a dog from the pound you are SAVING HIS LIFE.

The dog will be put to sleep if you do not save him. Period. I honestly think the dogs know this. Call me stupid, but I just think they know.
If you buy from the pound you are getting a HEALTHY, dog with ALL VACCINES, and one that has more than likely already been spayed / neutered. A spay or neuter will set you back several hundred bucks and more if he/she is a larger dog. You do not have to fool with the worry of the surgery, because it has already happened. No phone calls shopping for the best price, no research into where does it best, and none of the annoying things that happen BEFORE a spay or neuter that push you to spend the big bucks for the surgery. Indeed, the whole process is finished and you just can concentrate on loving your new friend. "Pound dogs are ugly and unhealthy" this is a LIE started by breeders. Here is MY pound dog! Does HE look unhealthy??? He sure isn't ugly!!!
(This picture taken by my 7 year old daughter!)

Id he looks familiar it may be because as a puppy I posted a thread about him asking what the heck he was. I got everything from German Shepherd to Collie (later confirmed; Shepherd Collie Mix) to Rott to Raccoon. LOL He was the funniest looking little mutt you ever saw, and that's why i chose him. I knew the thoroughbreds and those looking LIKE thoroughbreds would sell faster, and since I could only save one, I wanted to save the ugly mutt.
He turned out to be the best tempered dog i have ever owned. Even better tempered than my thoroughbred English Creme Golden Retriever (who was also a rescued dog).
Years ago I heard the official number of dogs that were put down yearly from my local pound, and it was mind blowing. I said to myself that clearly there are more pets than homes. I asked myself if THAT MANY animals are killed every year because they do not have homes then why are people still breeding??? It cant be because they love animals. Sorry, breeders. Hate me if you want, but if you love animals you wouldn't add to the problem. Breeders breed for money. The same reason puppy mills exist. And for the public, if you really love animals save ones life and buy it from the pound. Or rescue one from Craigslist or your local newspaper.
Not only will your dog appreciate your saving his/her life, but you can keep the money you would have spent paying for a fancy name. If you buy him from the pound you are still paying, but you are getting a "ready to go" dog/cat that is already up to date on all shots and spayed or neutered. Its just a win win situation, and there are positively no down sides to the story. And you too will be HELPING the lack of homes, not contributing to it.

 

[Jynohn]

Breeders breed for money. The same reason puppy mills exist.QUOTE]

I don't have the time right now to address the other erroneous claims in your well-meaning, but misguided post, but this statement is insulting (and patently untrue). And I also wanted to point out that thoroughbreds are horses, not dogs. I think you mean purebreds.

 

[princessmom29]

Breeders breed for money. The same reason puppy mills exist.QUOTE]

I don't have the time right now to address the other erroneous claims in your well-meaning, but misguided post, but this statement is insulting (and patently untrue). And I also wanted to point out that thoroughbreds are horses, not dogs. I think you mean purebreds.

Yes, reputable breeders breed dogs becuase they love them and want to share that love with outers. The DO NOT make a substantial profit doing it. We bought from a reputable breeder because no shelter would give us a dog with a 6 year old at home.

 

[Colleen27]

Yes, reputable breeders breed dogs becuase they love them and want to share that love with outers. The DO NOT make a substantial profit doing it. We bought from a reputable breeder because no shelter would give us a dog with a 6 year old at home.

Yeah, shelters have created some of their own problems with those rules. It is easier to get approved as a foster home than to adopt a dog from some of these places!

 

[princessmom29]

Yeah, shelters have created some of their own problems with those rules. It is easier to get approved as a foster home than to adopt a dog from some of these places!

I was absolutely floored whenthey told me they did not adpot to families with chidlren under 10. You also needed at least an acre fenced to adopt anything but a toy breed dog or a cat.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

We bought from a reputable breeder because no shelter would give us a dog with a 6 year old at home.

At my local shelter, you walk in, pick out your pet, and pay. You then carry him home. I had a small child at the time, and even one who was autistic with anger issues, I wasn't denied. Never a seconds problem. And my angry autistic son LOVES my dogs, and they calm him. I can't imagine any animal shelters denying ANYONE.
We do however have a local pet store that has a similar rule. They "determine" from a couple of seconds in the store if your children are "worthy" of a pet. I don't agree with that.
And for the sake of argument, I understand that my statements about breeders not loving animals were a bit harsh and quite possibly wrong, but I have met quite a few dog breeders in life, and most are quick to tell you how much the dogs cost. I apologize for the generalized statement. There are MANY breeders (including some personal family members) who DO breed purely for the whole "get rich" mentality. I should have clarified that better. My apologies. It would do no good to edit as it has already been copied and pasted.
I am merely stating that many breeders never give consideration to the millions of animals that die in shelters across the country every year.

 

[Colleen27]

I was absolutely floored whenthey told me they did not adpot to families with chidlren under 10. You also needed at least an acre fenced to adopt anything but a toy breed dog or a cat.

Yeah, there are a few like that around here too. We had one shelter give us a laundry list of reasons we didn't qualify to adopt through them - our income is too low, our kids are too young, our fence isn't tall enough, our 1/4 acre is too small, etc. Their rules specify a 1/2 acre lot and a 6' fence regardless of breed, 50K minimum annual income (but no questions about expenses - I'll bet we've got more disposable income than a family that makes 50K but has a mortgage...), and they don't adopt to families with kids under 8. And the adoption fees are like $350.

The county shelter, 15 min up the road, has no requirements other than a spay/neuter deposit for unaltered animals and will adopt to anyone who has the $50 fee. Of course, the stupid-picky shelter routinely "adopts" animals out of the county shelter to "ensure they're placed in adequate homes" .

 

[CathrynRose]

And when people focus on "what about THESE dogs that exist now", they give NO solutions to the overall problem. To end the problem, changes have to be made, and no, not all dogs will find good homes, not all of them in this current generation or two will have a happy story. But they don't really have happy stories now, their mothers have awful miserable horrible stories, and the future puppy mothers and fathers will have awful miserable horrible stories...something has to change, and to get stuck on "but what about the current puppies" does nothing to solve anything.

Exactly! Exactly, exactly, exactly.

But here is the thing about shelters, the operators seem in it for the money as much as the breeders. I have been looking and just can't see how the poor old timer doggie with an unknown background looking for a new home justifies $300. Come on, I'm not stupid. These people supposedly 'saving' these animals are doing the same thing as the malls, except they have no overhead so they are probably making more money than the malls.

I adopted 4 month old Hazel for $200- it included her spay, a microchip and bordatella vaccine. She was also tested for heartworm, and got her first round of that medication, as well as flea & tick for a round.

I adopted Charley at 17 mos fpr $150 (over a year old is cheaper) - it also included all of the above.

Seems like a deal, to me.

Considering it cost me over $200 to spay and microchip my poodle, I don't think a $300 adoption fee is particularly outrageous.

Right.

 

[sunnyday123]

I have never seen literature from PETA advocating the death of a current living being for any cause. They might say they don't believe in domestication of animals - that doesn't mean they want to kill the ones that are already alive.
I sometimes have a problem no-kill shelters, too. After having worked in a kill shelter, and having to handle the income of twice the animals because the no-kill shelter down the street was full and turning animals away, I understand. With the problems faced in pet overpopulation right now, this country is not ready for no kill shelters. The problem is too great - there are just too many animals. Until the vast numbers of homeless animals is under control, no-kill shelters are simply impractical in a lot of cities.

How is that the no-kill shelters fault??

 

[sunnyday123]

I haven't read anything other than the first 2-3 posts, so this isn't directed at any recent posts.

Some random thoughts:

The biggest problem is the general public. They need to be educated about the situation.
There is this "mindset" among the majority that a thoroughbred dog is better than a mutt.
This definitely is NOT true. Most of your thoroughbreds were at one point mutts. The market changes and new breeds are introduced as thoroughbred. There are plenty of examples of such.
Before you buy a dog; ahem... a thoroughbred, so you can brag to your friends that you have this particular breed of dog with papers, consider this...
If you buy a dog from the pound you are SAVING HIS LIFE.

The dog will be put to sleep if you do not save him. Period. I honestly think the dogs know this. Call me stupid, but I just think they know.
If you buy from the pound you are getting a HEALTHY, dog with ALL VACCINES, and one that has more than likely already been spayed / neutered. A spay or neuter will set you back several hundred bucks and more if he/she is a larger dog. You do not have to fool with the worry of the surgery, because it has already happened. No phone calls shopping for the best price, no research into where does it best, and none of the annoying things that happen BEFORE a spay or neuter that push you to spend the big bucks for the surgery. Indeed, the whole process is finished and you just can concentrate on loving your new friend. "Pound dogs are ugly and unhealthy" this is a LIE started by breeders. Here is MY pound dog! Does HE look unhealthy??? He sure isn't ugly!!!
(This picture taken by my 7 year old daughter!)

Id he looks familiar it may be because as a puppy I posted a thread about him asking what the heck he was. I got everything from German Shepherd to Collie (later confirmed; Shepherd Collie Mix) to Rott to Raccoon. LOL He was the funniest looking little mutt you ever saw, and that's why i chose him. I knew the thoroughbreds and those looking LIKE thoroughbreds would sell faster, and since I could only save one, I wanted to save the ugly mutt.
He turned out to be the best tempered dog i have ever owned. Even better tempered than my thoroughbred English Creme Golden Retriever (who was also a rescued dog).
Years ago I heard the official number of dogs that were put down yearly from my local pound, and it was mind blowing. I said to myself that clearly there are more pets than homes. I asked myself if THAT MANY animals are killed every year because they do not have homes then why are people still breeding??? It cant be because they love animals. Sorry, breeders. Hate me if you want, but if you love animals you wouldn't add to the problem. Breeders breed for money. The same reason puppy mills exist. And for the public, if you really love animals save ones life and buy it from the pound. Or rescue one from Craigslist or your local newspaper.
Not only will your dog appreciate your saving his/her life, but you can keep the money you would have spent paying for a fancy name. If you buy him from the pound you are still paying, but you are getting a "ready to go" dog/cat that is already up to date on all shots and spayed or neutered. Its just a win win situation, and there are positively no down sides to the story. And you too will be HELPING the lack of homes, not contributing to it.

Breeders, at least reputable ones, do not breed for money. They usually end up losing if anything. I have a PUREBRED Newfoundland, which is what I think you mean. And I've worked at an animal shelter, I've adopted dogs from a shelter, and two of my cats are from a rescue group.

I resent the superior attitude thrown out that people who purchase PUREBRED dogs are only in it for the ability to say their dog has papers and I paid X amount of dollars for said papers and dog, and that somehow a person who adopts a dog vs. purchasing one is better. I wanted a dog who had thourough health clearances, was raised in a family setting from birth, parents who had the same health clearances, and could check on their temperments to be sure our puppy would be good with children and other animals.

Not all dogs from the shelters are healthy, not all have a wonderful disposition and are happy go lucky. Some have been abused and are not trusting. Some have illnesses that have been left untreated. Did that stop me from trying to adopt from a pound? Nope. But I wanted a certain type of dog, and no rescue would allow me to adopt because I was single and had a young child. I still look at our local shelters websites at least weekly, but again, there are certains dogs I would not have in my home, and unfortunately that's what is in our shelters. Eventually, I will get another dog, and if I am again turned down by a rescue, I'll happily and without guilt get him from a reputable breeder.

 

[mykidsand_i]

I haven't read anything other than the first 2-3 posts, so this isn't directed at any recent posts.

Some random thoughts:

The biggest problem is the general public. They need to be educated about the situation.
There is this "mindset" among the majority that a thoroughbred dog is better than a mutt.
This definitely is NOT true. Before you buy a dog; ahem... a thoroughbred, so you can brag to your friends that you have this particular breed of dog with papers, consider this...
If you buy a dog from the pound you are SAVING HIS LIFE.

...
"Pound dogs are ugly and unhealthy" this is a LIE started by breeders. Here is MY pound dog! Does HE look unhealthy??? He sure isn't ugly!!!

...Breeders breed for money. The same reason puppy mills exist.

...Not only will your dog appreciate your saving his/her life, but you can keep the money you would have spent paying for a fancy name. .

Your dog is very beautiful and I'm happy that YOU have had the good experiance.

I do have a few issues with some comments you made in this post.
#1. Just because YOU and your family have had this wonderful experiance (getting a healthy, beautiful dog) does NOT mean that everyone is lucky enough to have a good experiance! There are several comments that you made that are 'blanket comments'...meaning you are telling everyone that they are going to have a great experiance with going though a pound/shelter. I can tell you now, that there are THOUSANDS of people out in this USA that have had HORRIBLE experiances with shelters and pounds, because THEY ARE NOT ALL RUN THE SAME OR THEY DON'T FOLLOW THE SAME RULES!!!

When we lived in South Carolina (just DH and I, right after we were married) we got a shelter dog for $240...took care of him getting fixed (he impregnated 3 other dogs in between the time he had arrived and when we got him...AT THE SHELTER!!! Those 3 others had to be put down- there wasn't enough money to care for pregnant dogs apparently! But, that doesn't mean EVERY shelter does that! This was just OUR EXPERIANCE!) Just after we took him home, we were so happy to had found a beautiful, happy go lucky dog. 4 weeks later, he started having health problems- with his breathing and sleeping. After 2 trips to the vet, we found out that he had cancer, after about 10 trips to the vet, thousands of dollars later, He became MEAN. He started to bite, growl and chase after people (when he felt good enough to do so)...

That is our HORROR story- I'm sure there are MANY MANY more. So, just because a lot of people have great luck with getting a good, healthy dog, doesn't mean that everyone does. I can't IMAGINE going through that if we had KIDS around!!!! HORRIBLE!
This is not JUST a lie that was started by breeders, this is a truth that has started through hearing ACTUAL stories of what people have gone through. Sure, the 'bad breeders' don't help this- but it's a mix of BOTH.

Not all breeders breed for money! And just because they are 'breeders' does NOT put them in the same category as 'puppy mills'... The two local ones I know barely make anything at all AND YES, IT INCLUDES fixing the animal and ALL SHOTS! It was also a very 'blanketed statement' just for you to simply say "all breeders breed for money" because that is NOT the case for ALL breeders.

Both of the breeders here breed for people to buy PUREBREADS (NOT THOUROGHBREADS- which are horses by the way)...they breed for fire stations, for police dogs and for people with special needs. These things are taught in the animals from birth- HUMANELY. They are taught different things to help the blind, kids with autism, other special needs and they are raised with great training skills and love. These breeders don't make a lot of money- but they do charge for their time to train the dog. Yes, this training can be done with other non-purebread dogs- and those dog trainers and breeders will tell you that too. BUT, when they are raised doing it from the time they are a month or two old, then it becomes more of an inborn trait and 'natural' for them than it does to an animal who gets the training when they are older...to the older animal, it becomes part of their 'thought process' and not so much a 'natural thing they just do'

There are certain allergies in people that don't allow for them to have a mut, but if it's a purebread with special hair, then that allows them to have an animal with minimal problems. My cousin has mild special needs and before she was allowed to have a dog, it had to be allergy-free, garenteed to have a MILD temperment (NO gar. that it will be from a pound until you've already had it for a few weeks!!!), it had to assist her with different tasks and more things. For an older dog, it would have taken MONTHS of work to train it to do those things- but for these other dogs- they've already been trained to do it, it's NATURAL to them and in her case, a purebread was the only thing her family could have due to the allergy issues. They CERTAINLY did not aim to get a dog and pay big bucks for it just for it's fancy name or it's papers. That's offensive.

I have never ONCE stated that I don't like shelters. They are great if they are RUN PROPERLY!!!!!! NOT ALL OF THEM ARE, therefore NOT EVERYONE is lucky enough to have the same great experiance.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I ABSOLUTELY believe that they purposefully kill healthy animals. They are a radical, extremist group who advocate the extermination of all domestic animals. They feel that owning a pet is akin to slavery, and believe that an animal is better off dead than living in "bondage."

As for the pet overpopulation problem, that is largely a myth as well. In many areas there is a shortage of healthy, adoptable pets. I live in the northeast, and the vast majority of shelter dogs here are pits or pit mixes, or other large mixed breeds of questionable backgrounds. It is very rare to find a healthy purebred in a shelter. Those dogs (if they end up in shelters at all, as responsible breeders will take back any of their puppies if the need arises) are adopted immediately. Many shelters around here actually import dogs from other states, and even South America to fill the need for adoptable pets.

Irresponsible owners who don't properly train and care for their dogs, and allow them to breed indiscriminately are responsible for the mixed breeds and poorly socialized dogs who end up in shelters. PETA doesn't discriminate between them and the responsible breeders who dedicate their lives to breeding healthy and sound family companions. In their eyes, we're all the same, evil people who make a "living" off of the suffering of animals.

Purebreds are not the only kind of dogs worth owning. There are many advantages to owning a "mixed breed" or "mutt". I have two shelter dogs laying next to me right now. Eragon is an "I don't know". That's what I always tell people. He is a mixed breed dog of questionable background. He is a stray that was picked up off the street, nothing known about his history. He was obviously abused before I got him, he is very hand shy and used to not do well with strangers. It about broke my heart the last time I boarded him and his report card said that his favorite thing was to be petted when it used to be that he would cower if anybody but me tried to touch him. Matthis is a dachshund/jack russell mix and has really helped bring Erie out of his shell. They are wonderful dogs. Being mixed breed or questionable background does not mean that your dog is a bad dog.

There is nothing wrong with pure breds either. My family bought a dachshund from family friends who breed. Each one has a place, and saying that one is better than the other is ridiculous.

 

[aduck126]

PETA want all domesticated animals to be killed how is that a good message?

if you read my post you would see that i wrote the message of animal rights (which PETA promotes) is important but their over the top antics marginalize the entire point. like the one listed above counts as that. but whatever, there is no way to have a civilized discussion because people freak out.

 

[joviroxx]

if you read my post you would see that i wrote the message of animal rights (which PETA promotes) is important but their over the top antics marginalize the entire point. like the one listed above counts as that. but whatever, there is no way to have a civilized discussion because people freak out.

You can't take their message without their agenda. PETA's "animal rights" message is NOT a good one. It has nothing to do with their antics, their agenda is NOT a good one. Most people's idea of animal rights is NOT the same message of animal rights that PETA promotes. They have completely different definitions.

 

[Jynohn]

Purebreds are not the only kind of dogs worth owning. There are many advantages to owning a "mixed breed" or "mutt". I have two shelter dogs laying next to me right now. Eragon is an "I don't know". That's what I always tell people. He is a mixed breed dog of questionable background. He is a stray that was picked up off the street, nothing known about his history. He was obviously abused before I got him, he is very hand shy and used to not do well with strangers. It about broke my heart the last time I boarded him and his report card said that his favorite thing was to be petted when it used to be that he would cower if anybody but me tried to touch him. Matthis is a dachshund/jack russell mix and has really helped bring Erie out of his shell. They are wonderful dogs. Being mixed breed or questionable background does not mean that your dog is a bad dog.

There is nothing wrong with pure breds either. My family bought a dachshund from family friends who breed. Each one has a place, and saying that one is better than the other is ridiculous.

Not sure where you got from my post that I thought that only purebreds were worth owning. Obviously that's not the case. But the fact remains that MANY people, myself included, would rather own a purebred dog, because I can be relatively certain how the dog will look and act as an adult, and even have a general idea of how long he may live and what health issues I should watch out for. With a purebred, I also have the benefit of looking at the pedigree, seeing what issues may be in the line, what previous generations looked like, what they died of, etc. Most importantly, I can make sure that I go to a conscientious breeder who has screened both parents for genetic issues, and I can ensure that the puppy was well-socialized before he went to his new home.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with owning a shelter dog if you're so inclined. I think it's wonderful that those dogs get a second chance at life. But there's no denying the fact that mixed breeds who end up in shelters are the result of irresponsible owners. I don't know of a single reputable breeder who would intentionally breed a mixed breed, let alone let a puppy of their breeding end up in a shelter.

 

[Pigeon]

My last dog was purchased as a puppy from a reputable breeder, who we paid a great deal of money, and researched thoroughly. The breeder was highly regarded by those in this particular breed community. We trained him and worked a great deal with him, as you should with any dog. He was a biter. His parents were not, nor were his siblings.

Our current dog is a mutt from a rescue, obtained when she was about a year old. She'd been living with her foster family for several months.

We knew exactly what she'd actually be like from people who knew her v. expecting her to be like her parents and getting something different. She's the least neurotic dog I've ever had.

I used to think that buying purebreds from an established breeder was the way to go because it was more of a sure thing, behavior-wise, but I'd never go that route again. I'm not saying that people shouldn't buy from good breeders, but if you get a rescue dog who has been living with a foster family, chances are you'll know pretty well what you are getting.