Please Stop Retail Rescue...the NEW Puppy Mills

(Published in the April Edition ~ Great North Arrow Newspaper)
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I’m sure that this article will raise the hackles on more than a few backs…but I have something to get off my chest.
I used to do rescue, I own 1 rescue and 1 adopted mutt, along with my well-bred purebred dog. I probably will assist with rescue at some point in the future. But guess what, I'm soured by the "Adopt Don't Shop" industry. And yes it IS an industry with many making their livelihood off it.
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Animal Rights people and rescues vilify breeders of purebred dogs.
Ethical, responsible Breeders who do genetic and health testing, training and fulfill their dogs potential. Breeders who care about the long term health and longevity of every dog they breed, are up to date on the latest veterinary research findings and training methods...good breeders who will take their dog back if at any point in its lifetime you cannot care for it. Dogs that come with a health guarantee and are sold on the merit of their conformation, bloodlines, health record and performance.

Now cue the rescue individuals (not all, but becoming a large majority) many have NO experience with dog behaviour, training, nutrition or health. Many rely on the "free" foster method so they can push the capacity of dogs available. Those fosters aren't trained either. They skimp on Veterinary visits to save money. They spay/neuter at a very young age making a major mistake for the health and longevity of the dogs. And they create marketing scenarios to sell you a sick or unhealthy dog for a high price...selling sad stories that make you feel like a hero for rescuing it. And they import dogs from other countries en masse without proper veterinary care or quarantine. This is unconscionable and puts ALL of our domestic dogs AT RISK.

Here's a fine idea...Buy a purebred dog from health tested parents from a reputable breeder. They are guaranteed healthy. OR Adopt a CANADIAN DOG! With so many dogs in need in this country it is disgusting that "rescues" are wasting all that money that could help our domestic dogs, flying sick dogs into North America and putting all of our domestic dogs at risk! 😡😡

In the past month rescues have imported RABIES, PARVO, DISTEMPER, ASIAN CANINE FLU, BRUCELOSIS, PARASITES and more into North America. Some of these diseases have never been seen before in North America and as such have no cure. Do you want your beloved dog to die because someone spent vast sums of donated money to fly puppy mill dogs here from a foreign country? Should the Canadian dog sitting in a shelter waiting for a loving home lose out on that home and be euthanized so someone can feel better about themselves by choosing a meat dog from a foreign country instead?
Rescues should be severely restricted from importing unhealthy dogs and also high numbers of dogs. They should also be fined.
Saying "oops, sorry" isn't enough for me!

Where was the Veterinary paperwork on the imported Rabies dogs from Egypt? Why were they not quarantined? The Rescue organization put hundreds of people at risk, from airline staff, to their own staff and all adopters and anyone who came into contact with these sick dogs. Rabies is no joke!
I'm sick of it. It has to stop and dog lovers need to call it for what it is. That $4,000 purebred golden retriever "meat dog" that's imported from Korea and is sick IS A SCAM.

If rescue really wants to do its job, it shouldn't be a for profit industry working off a non-profit model and surviving off the donations and misguided love of kind people. There are a few that raise the bar and are an example for others. But as a whole the rescue industry has become aligned with backyard greeders, puppy mills, and importing auction dogs from foreign countries. Spreading disease should NOT be collateral damage from rescue!
Love it? Hate it? Have something you need to get off your chest? A dog training question? Want to be matched with the breed that would work best for your family? Email me!

Email: [email protected]

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