"Why We Euthanize"---A Good Article

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by wildcard

I do have to say that I have a really hard time understanding how people who have purchased their dogs from breeders can still send $$$ to PETA-- I'm not saying that they have to be opposed PETA but I can't imagine why someone would send their hard earned money to an organization that uses it to produce this like this: PETA.org // PETA's Guide to the ABCs

There are some stances that PETA takes that I agree with but as someone who does breed dogs, I could not support an organization that was apparently so disgusted by me and my "puppy people" to spend money on ads like that.

I guess I have never understood PETA's focus (with regards to companion animals) on people who are breeding animals on purpose. I see very little of anything other than "please spay/neuter" with regards to the people who are really causing problems-- the people that just let their intact dogs wander around and breed at random and the people that get a dog and fail to train it to be a good housepet and then dump it when it isn't cute anymore. The great majority of pets in shelters are mixed breeds who were never intended to be born, and most of them are "teenagers" brought there by owners of individual dogs, not breeders. Many of the dogs in our local shelters are "repeats," animals adopted out as puppies who get to 9 mos old and are eating the furniture or someone is all of a sudden allergic and voila, the dog is back where it came from.

If PETA would focus on encouraging people to be more careful when making a decision to even get a dog in the first place-- any dog-- and encouraging them to take obedience classes once they have the dog, I would be far more sympathetic. I think their aim is off if they really meant to keep dogs out of shelters. I volunteer at our local obedience club by teaching classes to the public, and I am guessing our group has kept far more dogs out of our local shelters than PETA has...

I completely 100% understand that a breeder would have a huge problem with the position on breeders. It's not an aspect I agree with and I do wish they focused on responsible breeding rather than NO breeding. I understand their perspective but I don't agree with it. They do, however focus on other issues regarding companion animal other than spay/neuter. Here are some companion animal victories- About PETA >> Some Recent Victories And here are some ads for campaigns regarding companion animals. PETA Media Center > Print Ads > Companion Animals They do focus a lot on spay/neuter but I think we can all agree it's a pretty big issue. They also focus on dog fighting, chaining your dog, leaving a pet in a hot car, not buying from pet stores or buying a pet for a Christmas present.

My local animal rights group, ARFF, had a mobile free spay neuter vehicle. Unfortunately after offering this service for many years, they were unable to continue and sold it to peta. So I know peta is doing more than just saying spay/neuter, they are offering the opportunity as well.

I really can see it from a breeder's perspective though and I personally, appreciate and have nothing but respect for responsible breeders. Unfortunately, you are in the minority.

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by wildcard

This year at the Louisville Cluster there were two dogs that were left in their crates for an excessively long time and had messed their crates and had been left without water. Fellow exhibitors that were in the grooming area saw this and complained to the show committee. The show committee held a hearing that day as required by AKC rules and decided on a suspension and a fine for the owners of the dogs, I can't recall the amounts but they were pretty substantial and definitely not the lowest available under AKC rules.

Show exhibitors as a whole care very much about their dogs and others' dogs and are quite willing to stand up to those people who are not respectful or caring towards their pets. They also have the support of the show-givers and the AKC in doing so.

BTW, that is awesome!

[LibbieLu08]

This is so heart breaking...

[crystalsmom]

Originally Posted by wildcard

This year at the Louisville Cluster there were two dogs that were left in their crates for an excessively long time and had messed their crates and had been left without water. Fellow exhibitors that were in the grooming area saw this and complained to the show committee. The show committee held a hearing that day as required by AKC rules and decided on a suspension and a fine for the owners of the dogs, I can't recall the amounts but they were pretty substantial and definitely not the lowest available under AKC rules.

Show exhibitors as a whole care very much about their dogs and others' dogs and are quite willing to stand up to those people who are not respectful or caring towards their pets. They also have the support of the show-givers and the AKC in doing so.

I know this is very true. The wonderful show breeders out there that try to do everything right know what I am talking about and are embarrassed about it as well.

[wildcard]

Originally Posted by crystalsmom

I know this is very true. The wonderful show breeders out there that try to do everything right know what I am talking about and are embarrassed about it as well.

I go to dog shows nearly every weekend in the summer and rarely see anything that makes me uncomfortable about how the dogs are cared for. I think that is why this particular episode was so shocking. I can only think of one other incident that I was like "that's NOT GOOD" and that involved some people that rented one hotel room for themselves and one for the dogs. They did not crate the dogs and the dogs apparently used the room for an ex pen. I think an event committee was called about that incident as well as the show committee can hand out punishments for the hotels listed in the premium lists as well.

To be very honest, there is not very much that goes on at a dog show to be embarrassed about other than sniping between exhibitors

[Wylie's Mom]

Thanks to those on both sides of this issue who made efforts to be respectful and maintain a thoughtful discussion. It is much appreciated.

I'm closing this thread due to some members who are choosing to post, but not choosing to follow the basic rules of YT. This thread has run its course and it's probably time to move on.

I'd like to end this thread on a positive note and these last few posts are a good example of that. Thanks everyone for a good discussion!

[simonandhallie]

Hello, my name is Kimberly and I SUPPORT PETA and the HSUS! I'm not ashamed to admit it. If I could marry either one of them I'd slap on a white dress and say "I DO"