I agree with this.

[MadReefer]

Every dog I ever had came from a shelter.
http://now.msn.com/san-diego-bans-pet-store-sales-of-dogs-cats-or-rabbits

 

[dan_k]

100% I have 2 dogs both from a shelter and a cat from a shelter it makes me feel really good knowing I saved a life and gave him or her a good home

 

[TanksNStuff]

While I wholeheartedly agree that adopting a pet is usually the best option... I don't know if I agree with this.

What if you're looking for a specific breed and those agencies don't have one available?

 

[redfishbluefish]

I agree with George…..all for adoptions. However, if I want a German Shorthaired Pointer because I’m a hunter, I’m not going to find that at a shelter. If I lived in San Diego, I’d just have to drive to the next county to buy my dog. Don’t punish legitimate breeders because San Diego has a problem with puppy mills. Make the laws to stop the puppy mills!

 

[lefkonj]

What San Diego is doing is closing down the puppy store in the strip mall, which is 99% filled from puppy mills. By stopping this you don't just go to a shelter but a real breeder, which is a great thing. People shouldn't go and get the 4th of July puppy sale, bad idea.

I have worked with rescue organizations in the past but bought our last dog from a breeder because i wanted something specific.

 

[MatteZ]

I think if you wanted a specific breed of dog you would go to a breeder. I bet if you asked breeders if they sold to pet stores most would probably tell you no. We wanted a French Bulldog a few years ago and went to a breeder. Even if the local pet store had one I wouldn't get it from them. Plus if you think about it all the pet store is a "middle man" from breeder to owner.

 

[TanksNStuff]

Well, that all depends on how the law is interpreted. According to the article, it says:

"The new ordinance, which will go into effect in 30 days, says that pet retailers may only offer adoptions of animals they've obtained from city or county shelters, humane societies and nonprofit rescue groups."

That says that any "pet retailer" (which I would assume also includes breeders?) can only offer adoptions. Which also means to me that they cannot breed them to sell them.

I guess you could just go to another city/town if you really wanted a specific animal, but if this law spreads to neighboring towns it could be a problem.

 

[lefkonj]

The breeder groups are usually big supporters of closing down puppy stores, so they must be protected, but I guess time will tell.

 

[Hockeynut]

Interesting topic, although I believe that puppy mills are usually really bad. I also believe in the USA and all that it stands for and unfortunately people who breed dogs on a large scale have rights to. Maybe I sound like I like the idea of large scale puppy breeding ( I don't) I'm just getting more and more tired of governmental control. I would hope that instead of removing the supply with more laws, people would just be smart enough not to buy from puppy mills. Intelligence is a much more powerful tool. If people didn't buy these dogs these mills would just go out of business. I myself have just put a deposit on a puppy that I will pick up in mid December from a local breeder in Barnaget, it just so happens to be a German shorthair pointer Paul, great dogs this will be my third in my life. I wouldn't dream of buying any dog from anyone other then a well respected breeder, Not because I have to but because I want to... I would hate to see people like my breeder who genuinly loves these dogs be shut down due to a law designed for something or someone all together different.

 

[Hawkeye]

Interesting topic, although I believe that puppy mills are usually really bad. I also believe in the USA and all that it stands for and unfortunately people who breed dogs on a large scale have rights to. Maybe I sound like I like the idea of large scale puppy breeding ( I don't) I'm just getting more and more tired of governmental control. I would hope that instead of removing the supply with more laws, people would just be smart enough not to buy from puppy mills. Intelligence is a much more powerful tool. If people didn't buy these dogs these mills would just go out of business. I myself have just put a deposit on a puppy that I will pick up in mid December from a local breeder in Barnaget, it just so happens to be a German shorthair pointer Paul, great dogs this will be my third in my life. I wouldn't dream of buying any dog from anyone other then a well respected breeder, Not because I have to but because I want to... I would hate to see people like my breeder who genuinly loves these dogs be shut down due to a law designed for something or someone all together different.

Ahhh but people aren't very intelligent. Or people just don't care.

Have you ever seen that documentary called the "Queen of Versailles"? The kids got whatever they wanted...including some poor lizard that was not given any water or food and died of neglect. Those people were intelligent, extremely well off, but you can't protect against willful negligence.

If that were a dog - people would have had them arrested. But because it was a lizard...oh well.


I totally get what you are saying - at the end of the day parents need to man up and be responsible for buying these puppy mill dogs for their kids. But unfortunately they don't care. This law will help in that sense.

 

[MadReefer]

I don't think it's because people are not intelligent or don't care. I believe it's our society today. The kids want a pet and the parents say no and then the kids whine and the parents give in not knowing what they are really getting into. Also our society doesn't like to wait so people run out to these stores and get a dog, cat, etc. I myself have a mutt and went to 6 different shelters before I found a dog I liked. I raised my kids to be responsible when having a pet and made them research like crazy before making a decision but not everyone is like me. I believe this is why my son is good at caring for all his reptiles by himself.

As for this law. I would hope it is targeted at the puppy mills only. Obviously if you want a specific breed you have to go get it from a breeder. If you are patient you can call / visit a shelter and tell them what you are looking for and they will contact you if one comes in or from another shelter. I know someone that was looking for a malamute and they were able to get the dog this way.

 

[Jcurry@wesketch]

Paul, you could just go german shorthaired pointer rescue nj, http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ361.html

There are rescue groups for almost every major breed, you just have to look.

And I agree with Rob you can't legislate intelligence or morals. Laws only hurt the people who obey them.