Supporting the rescue philosophy
I thought carefully about writing this article, because the topic of breeders versus rescues is a contentious one, even among those in the veterinary profession. However, I’ve never been one to bite my tongue, and recent events and experiences have made me more passionate than ever about promoting animal rescue.
At one point in all these dogs’ lives, they were wanted. But animals are not toys, cars, or grilled cheese. They are not a craving or desire to be satisfied temporarily, until one’s mind is changed or availability reduced. These are sentient beings capable of fear, pain, sadness, and confusion, and they are indisputably lifelong commitments.
Make no mistake, my goal is not to shame breeders or their customers, many of whom are reputable individuals with honourable intentions and who are fully accepting of the responsibilities they face. But the existence of such people is not a defense for the problems they can create, nor is it a counterbalance to their many cohorts who do not fit such a generous description.
The truth is, the world is overrun with animals suffering the consequences of human greed. Ironically, it is simultaneously devoid of many species wiped out thanks to our activities. That certainly doesn’t speak in favour of human-kind, and it seems many of us are uncomfortable with acknowledging this truth.
Many of my colleagues whom I sincerely respect are at odds with me on the issue of adoption. They question our right to judge people who buy puppies from breeders, arguing that if one is to commit to the years of pet ownership and its financial and physical obligations, then they should be entitled to choose the animal brought into their care. One professor I admire greatly has rightly pointed out that an animal suiting the needs and lifestyle of a specific family is more likely to live its life out with them in good health and happiness. But these arguments fail to address some critical realities.
First, these concepts are, in theory, very sensical. Yet the dozens — yes, dozens — of emails I get every week from even just one canine rescue agency, all with information on dogs looking for homes and reiterating the urgency of their adoption, show the effect of this in practice. These dogs are almost always from breeders (legitimate or not), yet are seeking homes for a wide variety of reasons and at various life stages: the 9-month-old puppy who was “too high energy”; the 10-year-old blind senior whose owners decided they could no longer afford to medicate; the scared 5-year-old who had never known the love of a pat or slept a night indoors. Sometimes the explanation for surrender is simply, “no longer wanted.”
At one point in all these dogs’ lives, they were wanted. But animals are not toys, cars, or grilled cheese. They are not a craving or desire to be satisfied temporarily, until one’s mind is changed or availability reduced. These are sentient beings capable of fear, pain, sadness, and confusion, and they are indisputably lifelong commitments. The constant stream of faces and tails in my email each week tells me that far too many of us have yet to learn this.
Secondly, the notion of pet ownership as a right needs to change. The desire for a pet to look or act a certain way should not, in and of itself, entitle someone to create such a pet. The existence of breeds such as pugs and bulldogs is evidence enough that humans continue to place our aesthetic preferences over the welfare of the animals we create through deliberate breeding.
Thirdly, the insistence of a breeder as the only source of finding a “desirable” pet belies the extensive variety of animals looking for a new life through shelters and rescues. For example, in shelters there are dogs of every age, size, breed, temperament, and activity level out there, waiting for their forever home. You want a young family dog to grow up with your kids? You’ll find him. Live in a high rise with little space for anything but a small lap dog? I promise she’s out there. Farm dog? Adult already house trained? Chill dog who will sleep at your feet most of the day? They exist! They’re in shelters.
Rescues are not only great because they work to undo the wrongs of the humans who have let animals down, but they also provide a sweet financial deal! All dogs adopted from a reputable agency will be fixed, vaccinated, and have received basic health checks. Whatever adoption fee one pays, I guarantee it is cheaper than the costs of undergoing that care as an owner yourself (but this is a discussion for another day).
Most importantly, even the best of breeders are contributing to a problem already out of control. The stereotype of rescue animals as having “unfixable” behaviour problems or being illness-ridden seniors is an unfortunate inaccuracy that does an injustice to the rewards of rescue. And even when these descriptions are true, we must think carefully about how and why those animals came to be that way.
Words cannot explain the sense of purpose I feel looking into the eyes of an animal experiencing love and kindness for the first time in its life. Teaching a fearful dog to trust, or an isolated dog to play, is a reward in itself. As a future veterinarian, I have dedicated my life to promoting animal health and welfare, and preventing and relieving animal suffering. In my opinion, rescue is one of the most forward ways to do so. And sometimes, if you’re lucky, you get rescued in return.