Animal Ethics and Morality

A New Addition to the Family

I am a dog nut. I study them, write about them, paint them and share life with them. Recently I decided that I was able to add another mutt to the gang. With a deep interest in animal welfare issues, my first thought was getting a rescue dog: it’s what I ask of other people, and it’s what I believe to be the answer to the suffering and outrageous euthanasia rates of unwanted dogs languishing in shelters all over the world.

But, as I searched for the fifth dog to join our household—which is also shared with a toddler—, I was forced to consider whether adoption of a rescued animal was indeed an option to me or whether I would need a puppy that I could train and socialize myself. Where and from whom should I obtain the new addition? Is there ever a circumstance where it is okay to buy a puppy from a breeder, or should we always opt for the rescue dog—or just go without?

Dogs as Lifestyle Choice—and the Consequences of that Approach

Many people have a dog as part of a lifestyle choice rather than because they can offer the dog all that the dog needs. We rarely look at our home circumstances before getting a dog to see if we can actually offer a home that will provide a dog with all that he or she needs. We get the house, get the partnership, have the 2.4 children and then aim to finish the jigsaw puzzle with a puppy; that’s just what people do, right?

With this as a basis for having a dog in the first place, it’s no surprise that shelters are filled with many of the same breeds: Border Collies, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Boxers, Dobermans…. It’s a cliché to say, “a puppy isn’t a puppy for long,” but it’s the truth: inevitably that once-cute, tiny, pliable ball of fluff will very soon grow up with very specific needs, and if you haven’t spent time learning and meeting those needs, you may well have a ticking bomb on your hands and a potential addition to your local shelter. The German Shepherd dog that was sent to the shelter because he is “out of control” is not a bad dog; he just had owners that couldn’t—or wouldn’t—meet his training needs. Puppies take work, and you have to be prepared to put the time in right from the start. You owe them that much.

Due Diligence for Dogs… and People

As part of my research into the process of finding a puppy, I looked at breeders’ websites, either directly or via the UK Kennel Club. There are, of course, many reputable breeders who love and care for their animals. But there are also those out to make a quick buck with little or no concern for the breed or the puppies themselves. How do you know that the person you have never met before is caring for his or her dogs? It makes for very uncomfortable viewing searching through the hundreds of puppies held up to the camera to show them off—some in a home environment, some in barns, all tiny and extremely vulnerable to bad beginnings and even worse endings.

But, from the dog’s perspective, having good luck with a breeder is not enough, for while I have had dogs from good breeders in the past (older show dog rejects), nobody ever came to check me out. Nobody ever verified whether I really own a house or a fenced-in garden in which a dog could play.

And there lies one of the biggest advantages for the shelter dog: he will have his potential home and care-takers checked out. So, somewhat surprisingly, a shelter puppy who is fortunate enough to get placed at all may well have a better chance of a good home than the breeder puppy sold for profit.

Shelter Dog Myths and Realities

There is a common myth that dogs in shelters are there because they are aggressive, that they must have been surrendered for mauling the family cat/child/budgie, but it’s just not true. Human problems—divorce, job changes, work commitments and financial hardship—are at the root of most shelter stories, but it’s the dog who winds up paying the price for these problems.

There are literally thousands of house-trained, leash-trained, loveable dogs just waiting to meet you at the shelter. Shelter dogs all have different experiences, and the shelter typically does all sorts of research and experience tests to see what is the best possible home for the dog (note, for the DOG!). A shelter dog has a support team behind it, looking out for its needs; they will not place a dog in a home where it will be rejected or neglected by other family members. It’s a terrible experience for both the dog and the owner to have to go back to the shelter, so the shelter will do its utmost to get it right first time. As dog lovers, we should all prefer this for our canine friends.

Breed Rescue

If you have a certain breed in mind and know you can give him the life he deserves, then consider “breed rescue”. These are rescue facilities devoted to specific breeds. Almost all breeds have them, and these folks really know their stuff when it comes to the dogs’ needs and your suitability to give them a home. Fancy an exotic crossbreed? Go to your shelter; it is overflowing with lovable, cute crossbreed mutts just waiting for some long-deserved love.

A Success Story for All

As for me and my quest? Well, after several chats with shelters and breed rescues, much swooning over all shapes and sizes and dogs, and a couple of visits across the UK, I found a wonderful rescued Great Dane called “Archie.” He gets along wonderfully with my other dogs and my child, and I again feel incredibly blessed to be able to share my life with another dog.

Sound good to you? If you feel you can offer time and love to a dog, please bear in mind what is best for all dogs: help put an end to to the misery of those sick and lonely puppies in pet shops. Adopt. Trust me: it may well be the best thing your ever do, not only for yourself, but for dogs all over the world.

___________

Sally-Anne Ryan is a British artist and writer who uses her work to highlight the plight of animals all over the world. She happily shares her home with three failed show dogs, two rescued dogs, and ten former battery chickens.
.