Why?
Our explanations are simple....
1.) The reason for our rebuttle against pet store "sales" of companion animals such as cats, kittens, dogs or puppies, relates to the past ten years, where upon the market that was developed with cats and dogs - due to the many benefits that they offer people, grew huge and dispensable.
2.) Due to this demand, various animals were bred simply as products, to satisfy customers.
3.) Unfortunately when there wasn't a need for a puppy that grew too big or a specific breed that no one seemed to take interest in, they were discarded - to make room, for cuter, cuddlier new arrivals... and the vicious circle kept abound.
4.) This demand, lead to puppy mills and kitty mills across the globe. Independant and private residents also began breeding in hopes that a Pet Store would buy the offspring... when they did, more off spring were "produced".
5.) Without the demand for Puppies or Kittens, this diminishes the market for producing companion animals.
6.) Pet Stores can survive on unique pet related products - there is such a vast variety of foods, treats, accessories, toys, pet clothing, collars and other fashionable accessories....that their target market need only be geared towards "anything and everything" for a family's beloved pet!
7.) Pet Stores, also have the market for exotic animals.
You don't go to a rescue/shelter/pound when looking for a Cockapoo, a Tropical Fish, a Budgie Bird - or a Salamander - you go to a pet store where exotic animals are what you expect to find... (*new laws should be implemented that require regulations regarding care, maintenance, medical and accomodations) - ie: store receipts that show purchase of large bird cage, when purchasing an exotic bird that requires protection and ample space to live)
All animals put into the care of "people" as their caretakers, require legal protection equivilant to those of children.
8.) When going to a Rescue/Shelter/Pound - you expect to find dogs and cats (the occasional rabbit may be included) but nothing else.
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Due to the problems that have been created to generate "products" of cats and dogs by Pet Stores, it is only fair to narrow their market to their specialty and permit the "adoptions" of dogs and cats accordingly to rescues/shelters/pounds.
The United States alone, has close to one million rescues/shelters/pounds, including those of the Humane Society and the ASPCA - there is already enough competition between the existing facilities, that the last thing that is needed, is to compete with stores that do not follow suit with animal rights, or medical procedures (such as care to the sick that can be medically corrected, spays or neuters, etc.) or strict rules that pertain to the whereabouts that the animal is being located to.
Rescues/Shelters/Pounds, need verifications and are bound through a contract that inspires responsible pet ownership (or in some cases, they should be!)
Pet Stores are just that, they are stores and in spite of some caring staff memebers, the store's one and only objective - is sales.
It doesn't matter what the "product" is according to the CEO's and underlying stafff, that sells, the bottom line is, if it's selling or not.
Survival in a monetary world, with no rules or regualtions that pertain to responsible pet ownership. Once a dog or cat leaves the store, the rest is up to the purchaser and is not the responsibility of the Pet Store.
One such case, recently came to the forefront with a Petland that gained popularity with animal advocates and loving animal lovers due to the fact that they took in "products of cats and dogs" from local shelters/rescues..... The Store had hoped that by taking on "products" of these dogs and cats, that it would help generate sales with the general public that loved animals.... when this didn't happen and the store manager realized that there is "no money" in adoptions, the program was halted to a dead end!
Point proven.....
Another comparison is, if demographics of a county or area show a population of 5,000 people, you do not want 10 grocery stores - there won't be enough clientel for each and every one. Much is the same in relation to obtaining 2 rescues and a pet store - one has to go and that would be the pet store - because they should not be permitted into marketing dogs and cats as one of their products, that's what rescues/shelters and pounds do - they market the homeless - not products.
Animals without a home when they are born, are homeless and should not be born to take the place of a homeless animal.
While some "No Kill" groups choose to blame sticky adoption regulations on the fact that people prefer to go to Pet Stores, we do not lay blame on Rescues/Shelters or Pounds for the importance of such rules.
We do however, point fingers at Pet Stores who do not follow these types of regulations, making it all too easy for "just anyone" to attain a dog or cat!
This is yet another reason - why - pet stores should not be permitted the sale of dogs or cats.
If people "dread" following the procedures that are required with companion animal adoptions, then perhaps, it's not a well thought out gesture on their behalf and their "desire" to obtain a pet, is not as serious as they'd like to think.
Those who have well thought out adding a new member to their household and the responsibilities that come with attaining that new family member, breeze through adoption procedures with confidence.
People, who feel it's no ones business where they live, or if they have an appropriate yard to accommodate a dog, or if their landlord minds them having a dog or cat - are not considered to be long term, serious animal caretakers - on most occasions, people that attain such attitudes, end up "getting rid" of their pet, kicking them out or abandoning them - because "it's no one's business"
Adoption regulations helps sift out serious contenders and weeds out those with a whim.
The main objective of a rescue/shelter/pound is not based on monetary sales, it is based on the animal's welfare - to save animals, not to birth offspring for future customer selection.
Rescues/Shelters/Sanctuarys (and some Pounds) are accommodating to companion animals - they have dog runs, cat pens, cooling pools and surround the animals in a more natural enironment, where as Pet Stores confine the animals to cages.....
Pet Stores, bottom line, is to produce income. Their objectives are not to "save" animals, it is to be of immediate service and to be of immediate satisfaction to customers.
Rescues/Shelters and Pounds, bottom line, is to home animals. Their objectives are to "save" animals and to assure that they have loving forever homes.... their goals are first and foremost, to assist animal caretakers with nurturing a bonding relationship so that each party is well suited for one another and that there are no returns on the animals they have adopted out.
Unlike a Pet Store, Rescues/Shelters and most Pounds, do take returns - in hopes of finding another animal that is suiting to a person's lifestyle and affections - in a Pet Store, once you have "purchased" an animal - it's not up to them to help with behavioral problems or with character mis-fits, it's your problem and not the stores..... you wanted to buy "that pet" so now, it's yours lock, stock and barrel..... no returns or money back guarantees....
food for thought.
Please say no to Pet Stores where dogs and cats are concerned and leave the dog and cat "industry" up to those who specialize in companion animals, who are educated in caring for and placing them into loving forever homes through long term commitments and knowledge at a Rescue/Shelter of Pound.