The rescue dilemma

Every day hundreds of perfectly healthy, often young dogs are being put down, because rescues do not have the resources to take care of the massive flood of surrendered dogs. Many people are trying to support rescues by adopting, donating, volunteering and supporting the rescue mission in any other way they can. But we have to start seeing the bigger picture. Rescuing is simply putting a band aid on a much bigger picture, putting out the small fires that are igniting everywhere. The dog industry is on fire and we have to start going after the arsonists

Professionals in the dog industry have been warning about the dilemma we are in now years ago. While in lockdown, dogs where in request more than ever. Being locked up at home, people craved companionship, something to do with all the free time. And so, millions of people got a dog. Never before have we seen shelters being emptied of dogs. Opportunists saw the quick dollar and backyard breeders popped up everywhere, producing masses of dogs. No matter the genetics, bloodlines, or temperament. The demand was there, and whenever there is a demand, someone will make an offer

Only months later, people realised they had no idea what it takes to take care of a dog. Or that the breed they got is completely unsuitable for their lifestyle. Many pandemic dogs are showing behaviour issues due to being raised incorrectly, genetic issues due to improper breeding practises, dogs that missed out on proper socialisation due to being removed from their mothers and littermates too early. Millions of dogs were surrendered or rehomed as soon as people went on with their lives and realised that dogs have needs they can’t or aren’t willing to fulfill. Even to this day, we are seeing dogs rehomed by the masses every single day. They are usually only a few weeks up to a few months old. In all cases the mentioned reason is: due to changes in our life we can’t care for the dog anymore the way the dog deserves it. Never does anyone honestly say: We just had no idea what it takes to raise a puppy, nor did we realise the work that a teenage dog can be. Spoiler alert: A dog has needs. A dog needs to be raised, guided, and trained. A dog will cost you money. Because they have teeth. And they will use them, and they will not know that ripping your new patio set apart is not within the realm of approved fun activities. And above all, there will be vet costs. Do you know how many times a week we see posts saying that a dog has to be rehomed because the owners did not expect the dog to have an injury or get sick and they just don’t have money for the vet visit. Guess what, no one ever did. I’m digressing…

Fast forward, shelters are exploding. But breeding hasn’t slowed down. Backyard breeders are clinging on to the hope of a quick dollar. Even if only 2 or 3 puppies per litter are being sold, it’s profitable for them, given that they don’t really invest any time, effort or money into raising good puppies. The rest of the litter gets dumped for Animal Control (who legally have to take in every stray) or a good samaritan to pick them up and off to the shelter they go, where they will receive their vaccinations and get spayed and neutered. If there is no room, they will be put down. And the breeder continues with the next litter. Every single day I see new ads popping up for backyard bred puppies (and yes, if you breed your own dog without being a reputable breeder, you are a backyard breeder too, if your dog has an “accidental” litter, you are a backyard breeder), my heart breaks - for the dogs of these litters that might end up in the shelter or being put down, and for the dogs already in the shelter that needed one of the spots in someone’s home so desperately

And let this be very clear, I am in no way, shape or form, coming after reputable breeder. Reputable breeder are needed to continue bloodlines of healthy- emotionally, mentally, physically and genetically, dogs. And I will never judge anyone getting a solid dog from a reputable breeder. Especially if the dog is being acquired to fulfil a very specific job. The things we need to keep in mind here, is that people pay a lot of money for a well bred dog. And for a reason, as a lot of money and work goes into the care of the mother and puppies to produce excellent puppies. Not only do these people pay good money for the puppies, they sometimes waited years to get a puppy from this breeder. If you have been through this process, you are usually very well aware of what it takes to raise a dog, and you will not easily give up on your dog. And if you do, your reputable breeder will take the dog back and take care of the rehoming or keeps the dog. Because reputable breeder hold themselves accountable! And don’t get me started on people not neutering or spaying their dogs and having “accidental” litter or even worse, bred their personal dogs on purpose. I get it, you love your dog, your dog is perfect- for you. That does not mean that in a world where hundreds of dogs are being put down a day, that your dog needs to reproduce. And let me be clear on this one: There are no accidental litters. Any unplanned litter is a management failure by the owner

You see the problem. Now to the solution. The only people that have the power to change something at this moment in time, are the people getting the dogs!! For as long people are allowing their private dogs to have “accidents”, or think we need more puppies out there, for as long as people do not do their research of what it means to actually care for a dog, for as long as people think it’s not worth it to pay a reputable breeder, but think it is ok to support the puppy mill that sells puppies on kijiji for 200, 300 dollar, we will never see change. We need to address the root cause of the problem!! Fires have to be put out, but if we don’t stop the arsonists that keep lighting fires everywhere, we can’t find this battle

So what can you do? Help educate people and help open people’s eyes to the issues at large. Know someone that thinks about getting a dog, but you are aware that they’ll likely not have the time or not being able to care for it, or maybe going for a breed that is absolutely not suitable? Try to have a compassionate conversation with them and help them understand in what dire situation we are in. Maybe you can help steer them away from getting a dog or towards a dog that will more likely stay in their home. Same goes for the neighbour that sits outside and keeps trying to find someone breed their dog with him/her or the friend or family that refuses to neuter/spay their dogs. Help to keep dogs in their home. If you know someone that temporarily struggles because of a break up, a job change, or not being able to afford getting help, see (if it is in your heart and your resources allow it) if you can support them temporarily so the dog does not have to be surrendered

If you have made it this far in my post, I would like to thank you. This issue is very dear to my heart and I am forever grateful for anyone that helps support this fight, so we hopefully one day, don’t have to witness perfectly fine, wonderful, healthy, beautiful dogs being put down, simply because there is no room for them