Very recently , on glorious FB ( sarcasm here ! ) I was heavily criticised for having bought Sam as a puppy . This was by one of those fanatical " adopt don't shop " brigade , and it really made me cross and upset . When my dear Labrador Tess died seven years ago , I knew pretty quickly that I wanted another Lab , also knew that this would most likely be my very last puppy, given my age . So yes , I bought Sam , and no , I didn't feel guilty at all , why the heck should I ? I have rehomed several dogs over the past and loved them all , but surely, this is personal choice and buying a puppy should not make anyone feel guilty ? In a way, he was my indulgence , my pay off for many years of rescue , I wanted a puppy to bond with and train to suit our lifestyle . I support a local rescue shelter , the one that our darling Millie came from , collecting bedding , towels and food to take to them every few months , and yet I am deemed selfish ? I support the ethos of rehoming , hence Nelly , but it isn't for everyone , if only people didn't get so damned fanatical about it x
Pippa wrote a well-balanced article on this: https://thehappypuppysite.com/is-it-wrong-to-buy-a-puppy-the-adopt-dont-shop-campaign/
Adoption is not always for everyone or right for every situation, neither so is a puppy. My Dad's dog is getting on, so is my Dad, but I'd hate for him to be without a dog in his life. It would better for him to adopt an adult a dog rather than get a puppy. My situation was different and I needed a puppy.
Do not, under any circumstances, feel guilty @kateincornwall because you bought Sam as a puppy. Unfortunately it tends to be rampant in some parts of the dog world that you should only get a dog from a rescue not from a breeder and FB is notorious for harbouring nasty elements who feel free to criticise and condemn behind the anonymity that FB gives. I know in my heart, although we've discussed the possibility of rescue, that my next dog will be a puppy. I'm happy to support rescue centres, give some of my time, offer a discount to new owners of rescues but I can't see me ever adopting a rescue.
Oh people need to bore off! I bought my puppy and he lives the absolute life of riley. I don't feel as though I have to justify it! He will always have a home and will never end up in a rescue centre. It's not like I've got a dog, decided it wasn't for me then added to the rescue population. One day I will rescue a dog - but maybe I'll get another puppy first. I haven't decided yet. The one thing I will say is kate you're an absolutely class dog owner. Top drawer. And I bet you're doing a lot more for rescues than those people on Facebook are preaching about it!
I'm in exactly the same situation as you kateincornwall - in deciding to get Molly, also our last pup for the same reasons. The only difference between us? I wouldn't touch FB with a proverbial barge pole
I've always bought my dogs, but my cats are all rescues. It's a personal choice and all these sanctimonious FB groups really get on my t***! I've whittled my FB interaction down to useful groups and absent daughters .
If you hadn't bought Sam how do you know he might not have been a 'rescue dog' one day in the future, so you have saved him. What rubbish the FB person has written.
Ugh. Facebook has its place but honestly I get so tired of the nasties that lurk there. Why can't people let people live their own lives in peace? Celebrate with those who are celebrating and cry with those who are crying. Otherwise keep your opinions to yourself!
Sometimes the crazies get out of hand, witness the great state of CA, USA! They just passed a law that forces pet shops to only sell rescue dogs. No if's, and's or but's about it. A reputable breeder is not allowed to sell any puppies to any pet shop in CA. The idea being that it will shut down the puppy mills. Of course they already have all sorts of laws concerning the breeding of dogs, conditions, nutrition, etc. But they do not want to go to the trouble of enforcing those laws. We all know where this goes, a black market trading in dogs.
Exactly this! We bought Hattie as a puppy and she's our first dog, as you know I have a rescue dog, yes, CHARLIE who has been a challenge and no I don't think we wouldn't rescue again. Our dogs are treated like a Prince and Princess Our next dog will be a puppy from a reputable breeder because that's our choice, we're paying, training, feeding and loving it so anyone that takes issue with that knows exactly what they can do. Everyone has a flippin' opinion, why can't they keep their sticky beaks out . Delete this group Kate xx
I couldn't get a rescue dog from a main stream rescue due to my health. I have considered it and even tried it once. Never again the rescue lied it broke my heart. I've never had the courage to hurt myself like that again.I've hardened my heart now. FB scares me it seems to be fully of people who are happy making others feel bad about themselves or trying to bully.Arsehats is a good way to describe them. They don't have a clue just ignore them empty vessels make the most noise.
I have had rescue animals all my life - bunnies, guinea pigs, budgies... But I really wanted a puppy, because we have quite a hectic lifestyle at times, and a dog (or two dogs!) have to fit into that. Later, when I'm retired, I'm sure the house will be filled with elderly rescue labradors... Kate, you are the last person in the world who should feel any sort of guilt about buying a puppy!!!!!!!
Thanks , all of you x I like FB because we have a very large extended family , so we can all keep in touch, plus I have been lucky enough to find old school and college friends but I have already left this rescue dogs group , vitriolic and opinionated bunch that they are xxxx
I've been reading about this law and have to say at least it's one step in the right direction of reducing sale outlets for puppy mill pups. No 'reputable' breeder in the UK would sell their pups through a pet shop - they ask lits if questions of potential owners and want lits of information before deciding whether you can have one of their pups. If a pup has been bred with care and love (not forgetting health tests costs for sire and dame) why would you sell it through a pet store, like a bag of dog food
