@IngGenius I am really not “fuelling the trade of rescue dogs abroad”. For us, it’s not an either or, we adopt from both the UK and abroad and we’ve never been turned down by any rescue. We got involved in rescuing from a specific foreign country many years ago when we found a stray dog dumped in the mountains. We couldn’t leave her, so luckily found a charity to help us bring her home. She was magic, the loveliest dog you could imagine.
Since then, we have volunteered for said charity, we go every year, work at the shelter and know everyone involved. No one is breeding these dogs for “ rescue” it’s a few exhausted people doing their level best to save the dogs that get dumped when they are no longer fit for purpose or become unwell or it’s an unwanted litter that gets left in bin bags at the shelter or thrown over the fence (and yes I know that’s true because there are cameras). We have adopted from them many times, always the older or sick dogs that no one else would take. Yes the BVA get their knickers in a twist about it, but there is no risk to public health. All the dogs are properly health checked and vaccinated before travel and I would never risk the health of my own dogs, never mind anyone else’s, by bringing a dog to my home that had a communicable disease.
It is a privilege to be able to adopt a dog that’s had 10 years of shit life and to show them how life should be, to see them relax and feel safe and secure, to learn the joy of a comfy bed and a full bowl. Best thing ever and we are very fortunate to be able to do it.
And like I said, it’s not an either or. My last 2 were uk rescues, ditched by an unscrupulous breeder when they had outlived their usefulness. Terrrifed, the pair of them, never even been on a walk, in 7 years 🤬But they are starting to settle now and learn how life should be. Our next one is foreign, 11 years old, not in the best of health but she will come to us and we will give her the best retirement we can. That’s not fueling the trade, that’s saving a dog. And, whilst saving one dog will not change the world, for that one dog, the world will change forever. And I will do that a million times, from the uk or abroad, rather than lines the pockets of a greedy breeder.