Question: Why is there such a huge difference in dogs in rescue in US and UK?

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Answer #1:

Since I already put my two cents in with your last question, can I just say that not every family CAN have a dog? My flat doesn't allow dogs, I live in a small area with no garden, and I work nine to five. That has no logic at all.

Answer #2:

I have no idea what the situation in the UK is like, but, here, in the States, the pounds are run by the counties. That costs money and money is tight right now, it always has been.
There is only so much room to keep so many dogs in and then they have to go to make room for new ones that come in.
So, unless you are a multimillionaire and are willing to spend that money on talking care of dogs, there is not much else you can do about it.
Once again, I maintain that we do not have an over population problem with dogs, we have an over abandonment problem, but, that is a deep subject for another post! Hope I helped.

Answer #3:

The population of people in the US vs the UK is a factor respectively as far as the number of pets in shelter, but I think the "throw away" culture of the US also plays a big part.

As far as buying from the puppy mills & BYB, I hate when people use the word "adopt". You don't "adopt" a pet shop or puppy mill puppy , as much as the word is used in their advertising to lure people into thinking they're doing something good. Puppies from these sources are bought, period. Adopting a former byb or pet shop puppy that has been relinquished to a shelter is something else entirely & should be encouraged.

The only way to stop the big-business in puppies, is basic supply and demand. If there is no demand--that means nobody BUYS from puppy mills & pet shops-- then that will have an impact on supply, and put these people out of business. Preying on the notion that "they either get killed in the most barbaric way or put in shelter ", whether true or false, just perpetuates more buying from puppy mills. A puppy bought from a pet shop is replaced by another from a puppy mill the next day, and the cycle continues. Educating the consumer - because that's what they are, consumers - is the only way to stop it.

add: It is estimated there are between 4,000 & 6,000 animal shelters in the USA- some are run by counties & towns, others are non-profit groups run by individuals.

Answer #4:

Can I just say to your add on -- that although I understand where you are coming from, nobody should ever buy a puppy out of pity for what will happen to it. The reason is that the person that bred it - sells it - and that's all he is interested in. If he sells, he will breed more. So in effect, if everybody walked away, then yes you would be sacrificing the life of those pups, but saving thousands of others that would be bred.

As for UK rescues - it is not quite as it seems.

The person that runs the rescue I am with, has also worked for Battersea for 20 yrs. They & the RSPCA, Dogs Trust etc all have a waiting list for dogs. They can't just take them in just like that. We are all overwhelmed with requests to take dogs in which we have to turn down. As a small rescue we take in approx. 5 to 10% of what we are asked to take. That small.

A lot of the "staffs" being put to sleep are actually pitbulls as well, which are supposed to be illegal in the UK. As said before - I have nothing against pitbulls, but here it is ALWAYS the wrong people owning them. As they are illegal then responsible owners wouldn't have them.

The licence a puppy mill has to have in order to breed is not worth the paper it is written on, and the people issuing them really couldn't give a toss. Proved to me over the years time and time again.

I know from what dogs are offered and taken in by rescue that irresponsible breeding and ultimately irresponsible ownership is why so many dogs end up in rescue.

I'm afraid I just despair at the amount of young people on here that appear not only to be choosing which dog THEY are going to get but seem to be left with the responsibility of it as well. A dog is no toy for a young person. Fine if it is a family dog with young people playing their part.

Answer #5:

I actually just want to address your very last question. Of course those of us against puppy mills and bybs are concerned about giving good homes to those poor puppies. We strongly support ADOPTING them -- it's BUYING them that is the problem. If people continue to BUY puppies off the internet, from pet stores, or from newspaper ads, they feed the problem by giving profits to the puppy millers. Profits mean incentive to continue doing business. If puppy millers couldn't SELL their pups at a profit, they wouldn't be in business. Now, when a puppy mill is busted and rescue groups step in to care for these pups, I'm in full support of ADOPTING them and giving them every chance at a good life. I just want to make sure that not a penny goes to the horrible people who breed in this manner. Oftentimes, when the pups aren't bought in time, puppy millers in Missouri (where I live) dump the pups on sides of road. Rescue groups from the area coordinate with larger rescues and shelters in nearby cities to try to save and rehome as many of these pups as possible. It's not a good situation, but better, I think, to supporting and perpetuating a horrific business.

Answer #6:

i agree with the supply and demand thing. i have an unwanted pup as a foster right now that came from a big pet store and probably from a puppy mill. he is an excellent little dog. one thing about no kill shelters in the US that bothers me, like in the best friends shelter(dog town) they spend tons of money on dogs that should be put down, dogs that come in with major health problems or are even paralyzed get helped. there are a lot of healthy dogs out there that are better suited for re homing. and the behavior issue if a dog is aggressive, a fear biter and is said to be not suitable for re homing it should be put down. i do believe that every dog should get a second chance but there are just not enough people out there that are educated enough to take a dog like that on. there are way to many great family dogs out there that are being put down and all they need is to be trained to sit, stay and come, NOT to attack the neighbors dog, or bite when its in a different situation

Answer #7:

Hello! Sorry to post this way, but I'm still waiting for membership to this group. I'm a member of LGD Guard dogs and the National Great Pyr Rescue, so what is going on? Maybe I accidentally erased your message to me? Please let me know something. frontporchgoats@att.net
Thank you
Karen





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