Approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.1 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats. Each year, approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized because shelters simply have no room for them, the animal is injured, they are unwanted, the list goes on. - This is a fact by the ASPCA.

When most people think of “shelter dogs”, they think of aggressive Pit Bulls or older, sick dogs. However, shelters are FULL of pure bred dogs, new born puppies, pregnant dogs, trained dogs, scared dogs, dogs who had a loving home but their owner passed away or could no longer afford them. Then there’s the owners who purchase a certain breed because of the way the dog looks or because of the dog’s status in society, yet they HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO PROPERLY CARE FOR THE DOG. Every dog is different, every breed is different, every dog requires different training, compassion and care. 

A DOG IS A LIFE LONG COMMITMENT.

Many people say they are breeding their dogs because they will “be so cute” or because their dogs are “AKC certified”. Some, simply breed so they can make a profit. Backyard breeding isn’t ethical, it doesn’t show that you love dogs, if anything, it shows that you hate them. Don’t get me wrong, there is a huge difference between backyard breeding and ethical, safe breeding. Ethical breeding is usually for service dogs, working dogs, farming dogs, etc - not for you to sell to some stranger on Facebook. 

By breeding your dogs unethically and without reason I hope you know you are apart of the problem. I hope you sleep well at night knowing that thousands of puppies and older dogs are being killed because of people like you. Yes, you. You are the reason shelters are overwhelmed. Why dogs are thrown into small, cold spaces left confused and terrified. But I’m sure you don’t care, because the puppies will be cute right? Because you’ll make some fast cash off of them. Once you sell them, they aren’t your problem anymore. You’re wrong. If the puppies you sell end up in a shelter, or abused or neglected, that greatly affects your community and therefore affecting you. But again, you probably don’t care. 

But I’m not just here to point fingers at the backyard breeders. I’m also here to call out the mother posting on Facebook - “Does anyone know where I can get a purebred golden doodle puppy for my daughter? Her 5th birthday is coming up!”

Posts like this make me want to lay my face on a hot stove top. And then of course go on a rant to this lovely mother as to why THIS IS A TERRIBLE IDEA. At least wait until your daughter is old enough to CARE for a dog let alone herself. 

So yes, you, the oh so innocent mother making that post. You are apart of the problem ( you are a problem ). I understand wanting to teach your children responsibility, I do. But start with something non-living and see how fast your child loses interest. Maybe they won’t, then hey start with something easier than a dog, like a fish? If you truly insist on a dog or puppy, go on Google and look up (you town or city) puppy rescue). I’m sure many options will come up. So many people throw in my face that they want a well tempered dog from a breeder, but I can tell you this, a dog’s behavior depends on its owner. You could have a wonderful blood line puppy and it be a devil child that makes you wanna jump out of your third story window (I’ve met puppies like this). You can have a well bred puppy that is good aggressive and that hates children. RESEARCH the breed. DO NOT get a dog just for its looks, god please. 

People love puppies, everyone loves puppies, or so they say. But puppies do not stay puppies, and puppies are not just cute, playful, little things. They need to be taken outside a lot, they have accidents in your home, they eat things they’re not supposed too, they bark, they bite, they need a LOT of training, they wake you up at night and so much more. A dog isn’t an object, it’s a LIVING THING. A dog needs to go to the vet often, especially in it’s first year of life, are you financially ready to take that on? Can you up keep with grooming, dental, pay for food or any medication as needed?

Let’s not forget the people who simply dump their dogs for whatever reason, you, just may be the scum of the earth. If you can no longer afford your dog, go to your local shelter. Those who work there want to help your dog, they might not like you but they will love your dog and do everything they can to help it. God if anything dump it outside of a veterinary office or somewhere relatively safe. 

If you made it this far, thank you. If I offended you in this little story, I’m sorry but do better. You might not know the details of backyard breeding and that’s OKAY. It’s never too late to learn and help spread awareness. I’m writing this in hopes that it reaches the right people, it might be tough love, but you must be tough if you think you can breed and handle it all in the right way.

I hope to make backyard breeding illegal, in ALL STATES. Breeding should require courses, a test, and a license by the state. You should be educated on breeding and have a reason to breed. Pricing for puppies by breeders should be regulated by the state. There is NO reason so many dogs should be sent to death everyday. 

Please sign this petition and help me bring awareness to this issue.

DON’T BE APART OF THE PROBLEM.