AIBU to not understand why some people breed/buy animals when so many need homes?

[luvlemoncheesecake]

And what happens to those that are not sold say dogs for eg....

[Suncottage]

I often think this I must admit.

[cassierosse]

If various animal agencies didn't make it so hard to adopt a pet, so many wouldn't need homes.

[Shakirasma]

People who breed their pets are doing it for the money.

Reputable breeders do it because of a passion for the breed and a desire to produce premium offspring to continue the bloodline, and also for the money.

People buy puppies either because the want a specific pedigree, because puppies are cure, or because the rehoming centres place such strict rules on who can adopt that nobody with a child or job can have one.

[Shakirasma]

Puppies are cute, not cure. Stupid iPad.

[TattyDevine]

I bought a kitten. Gorgeous thing she is. Did look at a rescue one but they said no because I worked

Their loss (well, the kitties but whatever)

[Kallista]

So many people want baby pets, yet older cats + dogs from rescue centres can be better as their personalities get assessed in the rescue centres.
Sadly a lot of 'inmates' have been abused or neglected and have behavioural issues.
Also i agree that the rules of some pet rehomers eg the rspca are too strict.
I was lucky to adopt my 6mth old cat - she was too aggressive for a home with kids so although i live alone + work FT, i was her 'last chance'. She was very challenging but she is so lovely now and has real character.
I think rescue dogs + cats do make loyal + rewarding pets though once any issues have been solved, and i would definitely recommend them.

[southeastastra]

our local rspca only has staffs and weird needy cats

[crashingwaves]

We wanted a dog ... all the rescue centres said no because we both work and have a small child :(

So we had to buy her privately and she's GORGEOUS. :)

[southeastastra]

they have boards which say ' jasper is a very particular cat, can only go outside on thursdays and can only be housed with an elderly gentleman aged 60-67'

[crashingwaves]

Just to add, our little dog was one of three - the breeders were keeping one and another lady was coming immediately after us to get another. So they all got homes, I like to think all puppies do. Probably naively. :(

[bubblecoral]

We bought our puppy from a breeder. I sometimes feel abit guilty about that.

But the reasons we bought from a breeder were that we wanted a puppy, that we knew had been well cared for from birth, and we knew which breed we wanted. He is a breed that fitted all our requirements, and we could have waited forever for a suitable one from a rehoming centre. It was nice to have a puppy that was basically like a blank canvas, he knew nothing when he came to us. It was lovely, just like having a newborn.

I agree re homing centres do make it hard for people to adopt animals, although I can see why they do.

[ellodarlin]

We were turned down by the RSPCA because we both work even though there is less than 2 hours every day when we are both out. We got our lovely cat from a private rescue place. I love lots of pure breed cats but I wanted a mongrel because I didn't want a house cat or to have the feeling that I had £100s wandering around the neighbourhood. I think the problem with dogs is most people don't want a staffie that hasn't been trained properly so they are put off rescue places altogether.

[DooinMeCleanin]

In answer to your question what happens to the pups who are not sold - if they are lucky the eejit breeder knows someone who knows someone who likes dogs a lot and has heard they helped so and so once with their dog. That someone then gets an email asking if they know anyone who would like a puppy for free as they cannot shift the runt and will drown it if it is not gone by that evening. The someone offers to 'foster' the runt until a time when a space in a decent rescue can be found. If that runt is really lucky she will still be being 'fostered' almost a year later despite many, many offers of very good home

If they are not lucky they will be drowned/dumped/taken to the pound

YANBU at all. And people who buy from them encourage this sort of behaviour and are just as bad as the 'breeders' imho, not including 'responsible' breeders and people who buy from them, who are both few and far between, sadly.

[Casey76]

People who breed usually do it for money because they cannot be arsed to get a proper job...if noone wants them they end up at rescue centres to add to their numbers....we adopted a dog from a rescue centre...I reckon we could have adopted a baby easier...

[lambethlil]

Massive lack of awareness/humility here- rescue centres, places that specialise in placing animals and have experience in placements that break down, say no, so families go and buy a puppy.

southeastastra, why can't you have a staff?

[fluffygal]

We got our lurcher and greyhound from Kent Greyhound Rescue. We both work and have 5 children under 6, one being a 7 month old. It wasn't hard at all.

I wouldn't want a puppy, too much hard work and you don't know what their personalities will be like. I got a puppy once and it barked nonstop when it was left. My two dogs came from foster homes so we knew how they were around kids and being left alone.

The RSPCA are quite strict but I think independant rescue places which are breed specific seem more relaxed.

[glastocat]

I have been tempted to buy a pedigree in the past , as some pedigree cats are just gorgeous ( I hanker after a Maine Coon). So far I've only had rescue cats though (have two at the minute).

[DooinMeCleanin]

'if noone wants them they end up at rescue centres' - no they don't. See above . Most of these people wouldn't waste their time/money driving the pup/kitten to the end of the street, never mind the local rescue. They kill or dump them. They adertise them free to good home on Gumtree where they are likely to be bought by puppy farms or dog fighters or people who just don't give a shit. All too often they kill them.

[Insomnia11]

I don't know, why do people have their own children when there are so many that need good homes?

Freedom of choice.

[frasersmummy]

I think the rehoming people do need to ease off a bit as well.. just cos you have kids doesnt mean you cant have a dog

I was looking for a rabbit recently and some places really wanted us to jump through hoops.. I wanted to say if I can raise a child I can certainly look after a bloody rabbit

I know animals are abused and neglected every day but seriously..this is what puts people off

[cassierosse]

Quite, frasersmummy

I actually find it bloody insulting that after having 3 DC and numerous dogs, cats, smaller furries, I may not be "suitable".

[DooinMeCleanin]

Rescue Centers have good reason for making sure the animal being is 110% in the right home. Animals who are returned to rescue because a home was wrong/change in circumstance etc has less chance of being rehomed than one who has been rescue a long time but who has never been returned.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

If you truly want to rehome a rescued dog, you can, just ask your local council to put you in touch with their dog warden. They'd be delighted to help.

I agree that some of the rehoming organisations are too prescriptive by far... what's better for the dog, a chance at a new life or the likelihood of being put down for want of a home.

I won't support breeders, not any of them. I don't believe they'd love the breed enough to continue the bloodline if there wasn't the right money in it. Nature mixes are superior in every way, in my opinion anyway.

[midori1999]

Because they want to and have a sense of entitlement tbh. Plus, an awful loot are naive and do not understand about or know just how many dogs are being put to sleep every single year.

I am a 'breeder'. Golden Retrievers. I admit I do it for selfish reasons, my dogs are my pets, but I adore the breed I have chosen to own and would like to think that by breeding them I am doing my own little bit to improve the breed. I also like showing them and you can't do that with non-pedigree dogs.

I am sadly only too aware of the rescue situation. It would be very naive of me to think I could never contribute to that as obviously one my puppies have gone to new homes then it is out of my control. However, I do my absolute utmost to ensure the puppies I have bred do not end up in rescue buyers signing contracts saying they must return puppies/dogs to me if they can no longer keep them, maintaining a good relationship with buyers, throughly vetting and choosing what I consider the best homes etc) and none have so far. I also only breed very infrequently, once every 2-6 years on average I suppose and when I want a puppy to keep and show. I always have a waiting list prior to deciding to breed, but I certainly don't breed on a 'supply and demand' basis, I breed for myself. I am extremely fussy about where my puppies go.

In my case, it would be unlikely that puppies were left unsold because of waiting lists. If they were, the answer is simple, I would have to keep them. However, in the case of those breeding without proper thought, a lot end up being handed to rescue or PTS. (either humanely or otherwise )

I can see why people disagree with breeding at all when there are so many dogs/cats in rescue, but very few of these come from responsible breeders, but originate from puppy farmers and BYB's. I think the key to solving the rescue situation is much tighter legislation surrounding dog breeding and lots and lots of education to the dog owning public about how to source a dog or puppy responsibly. Sadly though, some people feel it is their right to own a dog or cat, whether their home circumstances are suitable or not and these people will be turned down by rescue and responsible breeders, so they then decide ot use a BYB or puppy farmer.

[mad4mainecoons]

I breed pedigree Maine Coon Cats and i do so because i genuinely LOVE the breed and i want to breed the perfect show stopping show cat. i do show my cats regularly as well.

i only have two girls whom i breed from and am definetly NOT a kitten mill. i am very careful who i place my kittens with and i sell them on with a lifelong agreement that they will be returned to me should their owners become unable to care for them any more.

i have always said that if i cannot find any of my kittens suitable homes then they will stay with me for life. and should i get to the point when i have to many cats, then i stop breeding! simple as that!

i live in fear of any of my babies ending up in rescue and they are all microchipped before they leave me in an attempt to stop this from ever happening to them.

there are many unscrupulous breeders out there and sadly they are also selling pedigree cats and they dont give a damn once they have your money thats why you should do your research before you buy

i think many people buy kittens (pedigree or moggy) because adoption centres have crazy rules on who can and cannot adopt them. i know a couple (a vet and a nurse) who were refused as they both worked. when in realitey it would have been the best home ever for any cat!

with pedigree cats you have a bit more of an idea of the personality or the cat you will end up with and thats why many people go down that road. and of course they are Sooooo beautiful! well my Maine Coons are anyways