Breeds in Need

Not long ago I received a cry for help from a neighbor who had bred her dog and now had a litter of nine purebred puppies. I am wanting to believe that she did this quite innocently. You see, she had listened to some friends who were involved in showing and breeding purebred dogs for conformation. They were after a particular look. Not surprisingly, out of the nine puppies, none of them achieved exactly what they were after. Genetics has a way of making its own rules. Mother Nature is indeed a mad scientist.
 
After several weeks of advertising them on Craig’s List and the newspaper, she still had six left.  She found out that I work for the PETCO Foundation and asked for my help. Luckily, I was able to introduce her to a local rescue group and they were able to work a magic that only adoption can achieve.

My misguided neighbor who bred the puppies had bred them with the best of intentions (at least that is what I keep telling myself in my effort not to completely sour on the human race). But when she was directed by her friends to place the puppies on the Internet and the newspaper, she knew in her heart that this was the wrong decision.

 

This particular rescue group though was able to successfully place every single puppy into fantastic homes. Two went to live on the beach in Malibu. One went to a minor television celebrity, and the others fared equally as well. All with lifelong, loving homes.

 

I ran into my neighbor again at a community meeting. She expressed her gratitude and appreciation and said, “I could not have found better homes if I had sold them!” Without even thinking, I said to her, “That is because the people who adopted them were looking to rescue and save a life. Those puppies were not viewed as property, a commodity or a trophy, but as friends and family members.”

 

People in rescue are often asked, “How much does it cost to buy one of your dogs?” or “Are you selling them?”  I know rescue people collectively cringe when they hear the word “sell” or “buy” but it is a valid question. “What is the difference?”

 

One very key difference is the intention. Not that I would imply that someone who has purchased a new puppy or kitten from a pet store or breeder does not love them as much as someone who has rescued. But, intention is the difference. 

 

Anyone who has adopted a dog or cat will tell you there is something different about that animal. Even the one that has never known a bad day in their life seem to somehow possess a wisdom. I believe that wisdom is not in the animal, but in the type of person who adopts. 

 

The value of life is something that should never be underestimated and neither should the person who can clearly recognize that fact.

 

There are lots of “Breeds In Need” and our national fundraiser recognizes and draws attention to their plight.  The Breeds in Need fundraiser runs through September 20, 2009.  Please donate now to make a difference – either in the stores with your own pet’s purchases or on our site.