There are almost as many different kinds of cats and dogs as there are kinds of people—loud ones, quiet ones, energetic ones, lazy ones, hairy ones, clean-shaven ones, those that love kids, and those that want to be left alone. For someone looking for a pet, the big question often is, where exactly can I find what I’m looking for?
Pet shelters are sometimes seen as the only humane and conscionable choice, but professional breeders offer peace of mind that shelters can’t guarantee. Both options have benefits and detriments, and it’s up to individual pet owners to decide which one best meets their needs.
Be a Shelter Savior
The ASPCA estimates that about five to seven million animals enter shelters every year, and more than half are eventually euthanized because there’s no one to adopt them. The most important thing to remember is this—the pets relinquished at shelters aren’t bad cats and dogs. Many animals are given up because the previous owner wasn’t aware of the needs and challenges of a pet, or couldn’t handle the barking or separation anxiety that arose from the pet being left alone all day. Most often, the previous owner chose the animal because it was cute, and didn’t think about whether it was compatible with his or her lifestyle. Getting a pet from a shelter is a humane way to save the life of these perfectly lovable dogs and cats.
The good news is that most shelter pets already have some housetraining and know basic commands. That makes training them immensely easier than training a pet from puppy- or kitten-hood. Shelters also routinely spay and neuter animals, bring them up-to-date on their shots and vaccinations, and do basic health tests. Some even include microchipping, in case the pet ever gets lost. The great thing about shelters is that they charge only a nominal fee for providing all these services, usually around $100.
Shelters may do their best to be sure that dogs and cats are healthy and ready to be adopted, but unfortunately, there’s no way for them to tell what may have happened in an animal’s past. Although the majority of shelter animals are healthy and friendly, some have suffered diseases or injuries, mistreatment at the hands of their owners, or have serious intractable behavior problems that may be too much for the average pet owner to handle. For some pets, being in the shelter is traumatic, and they’re more likely to end up being clingy, skittish, territorial, or fearful.
Breeder Benefits
People who have a very specific idea of the pet they want, such as those who want a particular breed or a reliable working dog, often choose to go to a breeder. Professional, reliable breeders usually specialize in one or two breeds, trying to bring out the best characteristics in that breed and minimizing undesirable traits. Samantha Lane, co-owner of Lane Ranch Labradors in Grass Valley, California, says, “When you get your animal from a breeder you get to know the history of that animal: When was it born? What has its personality been like since birth? What are the animal’s parents like, and do they have any health issues?” Since many purebred animals are genetically predisposed to certain diseases, breeders try hard to “breed out” those genes. They offer potential owners the chance to visit and see where the pets are raised, as well as meet its parents. Seeing the other animals raised by the breeder can give an indication of what the pet may eventually be like.
Breeders usually raise puppies or kittens underfoot in their own home, making sure that they’re well-socialized and exposed to a variety of people, sounds, smells—even children. They start the animals on their shots, and sometimes begin the training process. Ms. Lane says, “From the moment we help birth our pups, they are welcomed into our home and treated as our own. While they will be yours in eight to twelve weeks, they are my pups until then!”
A Pet Parent’s Best Friend
One of the best advantages is that a breeder can act as an invaluable resource, giving advice and information about the breed and holding your hand through crises. They usually offer to replace any animal that develops a genetic disease, and if things with the pet just don’t work out, they will help out then, too. “The best breeders will offer you a sort of return policy,” says Ms. Lane. “If you should find yourself in a situation in which you may have to give it away or put it in a shelter, we will take the animal back and find a suitable home for it ourselves. It is incredibly important to us that all of our dogs are in great homes.”
This personal attention and peace of mind doesn’t come cheap. Puppies and kittens from breeders can cost several hundred dollars, depending on the breed and the sex. And shelters often have purebreds too, as well as puppies and kittens. “We always recommend to anyone interested in a pet that they look in shelters and the humane society first, to see if they can find a pet that will fit in with their family,” says Ms. Lane. Breeders may be the first choice for people with very specific needs or small children, but people who just want a companion can often find it at a shelter.
Shelters and breeders may both have benefits, but there’s not much upside to getting a pet from a store. Pet retailers charge a huge markup from breeders’ prices without offering any of the advantages of the breeder themselves. The pets offered at pet stores are often just litters from “backyard breeders” and puppy or kitten mills. The only thing they offer is convenience.
Good pets can be found everywhere, but even if you get a pet from a neighbor’s litter down the street, be wary of anyone who seems unconcerned about where his or her animals end up, or anyone who offers an animal for adoption before it’s eight weeks old. Pet ownership is a serious commitment and responsibility, and anyone who’s on the level will take great care to vet potential owners to ensure a good match. It’s not important whether you adopt a shelter dog, buy one from a breeder, or take in an affectionate stray; all that matters is giving the animal a loving home.