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Hey Kid, I am a Mod. :S

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Then you'll know. And stop trying to make it seem like I am creating multiple accounts then.

Lying is not the way to get your point across. Facts are, so maybe next time you could try using them.

Post edited at 10:36 pm on April 6, 2007 by SimplisticComplexity

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 Shelters

Cons
-It is an older pet, and sometimes sick or injured. It may mean you don't get to have the animal as long because it is fighting cancer, or is just plain old.
-While the shelter should do everything in its power to ensure you are getting a safe animal, you are taking the risk of having unexpected behavioral problems and fears if the animal was abused in its past home.
-Added vet bills and visits if the animal is sick

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I thought your guide was really comprehensive but I just wanted to say a few things about these points.

I've been working at the RSPCA here in Australia (the Yagoona branch for those in the know) for 10 months now and we don't rehome JUST old animals. We have animals of all ages- heaps of puppies & kittens. The animals don't always come from a cruel owner, we get plenty of surrenders- people who can't look after their pet anymore or when they haven't desexed their pet and they suddenly get a litter of 10 puppies.

None of the animals available for adoption are sick or injured. We nurse them back to health before they go to a new home. And if there are any future problems (e.g. chance of a luxating patella in older small dogs) we fully inform the prospective owner as to what their future needs will be so that they are prepared financially and emotionally.

Also all the dogs go through a behaviour assessment before they become available and if they show any signs of aggression they don't pass. Even if their is slight behavioural problems, the dogs go through rehabilitation to see if they maybe one day they can be rehomed.

But yeah, everyone should at least visit their local shelter. You can't save them all but save at least one!!  

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Luv my goldfish...

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Registered Breeders  
These people breed animals as a living. They often have a couple animals they use in shows/contests. They are usually very passionate about their animals.

this statment is untrue, breeders are usially cruel to theyr animals because they know that they have more of that same animal if the other dies. breeders are also a bad place to get animals from. breeders are the reason there are so many homless animals. by buying from a breeder, you are endorsing them overpopulating the world with homeless animals.

i also do not agree with this statment: (don't rub their belly though, all cats in general do not like their bellies touched. Just don't do it)  
-Lightly tug their tail. Do they hiss at you? Definitely not a cat you want around children.
i have had cats my whole life and at the moment have 6 cats. i have never had, nor known of a cat whom dosnt like theyr bellies rubbed. they love theyr ears and under the chin as well to be rubbed. i do not know where you get that they dont like theyr bellies rubbed. and no cat should have theyr tails pulled. if you have a child, teach them not to pull the animals tail before you get a cat. cats tails are fragile and center theyr ballance. no cats like to have theyr tails pulled. children should learn to respect any animal befor it is gotten because by letting your kid pull the cats tail, you are in a sense saying that its okay to hurt animals. which its not at all.

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Really?  And you know this how?

Most breeders are not registered.  Even some registered breeders can be bad.  However, there are responsible breeders.  Responsible registered breeders title their dogs, evaluate temperament, evaluate conformation, do health screening, and provide proper care for their animals.  I've known breeders who spent over 12 hours a day training and exercising their dogs.  Cruelty.  Total neglect.  Absolutely.

A responsible breeder doesn't contribute to overpopulation.  Backyard breeders and puppymillers do.  If there were no backyard breeders and puppymillers, overpopulation wouldn't be a problem even with responsible breeders.  BYBs and puppymills contribute to well over 80% of all canines born in the United States.  A responsible breeder has less litters and those litters have been well planned out.

Do your damn research =]

Places to never get a dog from.
Pet Stores, Newspaper adds (unless the add is from a reputable breeder), Backyard breeders, Puppymillers.

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Quote: from Artistic Drain at 6:03 am on Aug. 1, 2006

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  Shelters  

 Cons  
 -It is an older pet, and sometimes sick or injured. It may mean you don't get to have the animal as long because it is fighting cancer, or is just plain old.  
 -While the shelter should do everything in its power to ensure you are getting a safe animal, you are taking the risk of having unexpected behavioral problems and fears if the animal was abused in its past home.  
 -Added vet bills and visits if the animal is sick

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I thought your guide was really comprehensive but I just wanted to say a few things about these points.

I've been working at the RSPCA here in Australia (the Yagoona branch for those in the know) for 10 months now and we don't rehome JUST old animals. We have animals of all ages- heaps of puppies & kittens. The animals don't always come from a cruel owner, we get plenty of surrenders- people who can't look after their pet anymore or when they haven't desexed their pet and they suddenly get a litter of 10 puppies.

None of the animals available for adoption are sick or injured. We nurse them back to health before they go to a new home. And if there are any future problems (e.g. chance of a luxating patella in older small dogs) we fully inform the prospective owner as to what their future needs will be so that they are prepared financially and emotionally.

Also all the dogs go through a behaviour assessment before they become available and if they show any signs of aggression they don't pass. Even if their is slight behavioural problems, the dogs go through rehabilitation to see if they maybe one day they can be rehomed.

But yeah, everyone should at least visit their local shelter. You can't save them all but save at least one!!  

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Eh, conditions for sheltered animals are probably better in Australia.  In the U.S. it's probably a whole different story because sometimes I feel that the government is not working hard enough to protect the environment.  I do not know enough about this, but I just want to say that everyone should read Artistic Drain's OP because it is interesting and informative.  I love cats and I plan on buying a boy cat and a girl cat from a local shelter here soon.

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These are the stakes!
To make a world in which all God's children can live,
Or go into the dark.
We must either love each other, or we must die. -LBJ