source: TheStar.com - living - Too many doggies in the window

Too many dogs in the window

Yvette Van Veen April 19, 2008
Overpopulation has plagued animal shelters for more than 100 years, but recent media attention from celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Kurt Browning have shown a spotlight on the problem.
Good animals are suffering, and many of them are waiting for a home.
Officers with the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals investigate approximately 15,000 cruelty complaints each year. In addition to the Humane Society, there are at least 42 rescue and shelter groups in the Toronto area. So, there are lots of animals to choose from and adopting from a shelter is one way to make a difference.
But some people avoid shelters because they fear the animal will come with baggage. Others are frustrated by strict screening processes.
This leads to the bigger problem of impulse purchases. Determined to get a young animal quickly, potential owners rush to a store – and may end up with very serious "baggage" indeed.
That "puppy in the window" is a clean, fluffy animal that has been groomed only to facilitate a sale. By impulsively buying it, you may, unwittingly, be supporting a mill operation. Mills hide their practices and even operations that may be legal still prey on impulse purchasers.
In the end, nice families get a young animal who, they soon discover, has behavioural or health problems they can't cope with. Too often, they give up. Rejected mill animals are one reason why shelters are filled past capacity.
The problem does not begin with the surrender of an animal. It begins with the breeding and sale.
What is the consumer to do?
At one end of the spectrum, there are mills that are abusing animals. At the other end are responsible breeders – who rarely contribute to shelter problems because they take the animal back. Between these extremes lie infinite shades of grey.
We live in a society where consumers have more protection buying a toaster than an animal.
My heart goes out to the families who bring home an 8-week-old puppy or kitten to immediately face aggression or realize there are genetic health issue. This is not the fault of the owner.
But a potential owner isn't helpless. There are actions to take to curb impulse purchases and prevent having to surrender an animal to a shelter.
Before buying a pet, educate yourself about how to identify quality sources for pets.
Learn about the time commitment required to adequately care for an animal and the particular needs of the breed you are looking for. (Books such as Successful Dog Adoptions, by Sue Sternberg, can help make the right match and avoid problems.)
Teach children about responsible pet care (which includes not reading them stories about accidental litters. Failure to spay and neuter pets is not cute.)
Give your new animal the attention and training it needs to behave well.
Shelter overpopulation is a complex issue. No one group of people can be blamed. Some breeders operate mills and some breeders are leaders in their field. Some owners abuse animals, while some bring home an unexpectedly aggressive pet. Some pet trainers offer harmful advice, and others work hard to excel at their craft.
Most people do not wilfully ruin an animal. Yet, it happens. Until our laws define adequate care, shelters will be full and animals will be put down unnecessarily. We will continue to have dangerous dogs. Our tax dollars will go toward health issues – such as the recent rabies scare – that could be avoided with proper regulation.
Finally, if you are looking for an animal, take your time. Work with a responsible breeder or rescue operation. By making the right choice, we can all be part of the solution, not the problem.
Yvette Van Veen is a certified animal behaviour consultant. Write her at petadvice@awesomedogs.ca.

Kurt Browning promotes shelter adoptions for Pedigree, which has a campaign "to help dogs find loving homes."

yea if all dogs at shelters looked like those it be a breeding ground for showdogs. last i checked they werent. lol.