Of the 8-10 million companion animals entering shelters across the U.S. each year, 4-5 million are euthanized because there aren’t enough loving homes to go around. Breeding directly contributes to the pet overpopulation problem. Every sale of a purebred dog or cat takes away a home into which a homeless shelter animal can be adopted.

Purebred dogs are prone to more than 300 genetically transmitted abnormalities. Purebred cats are also prone to many genetic problems. This is the result of an industry that places a greater emphasis on characteristics of a dog or cat that do well in the show ring over sound phsyical and behavioral attributes. Genetic problems also result from irresponsible breeders who continue breeding their animals even though the animal may be sick or diseased. Substandared care and attention are provided to these animals because these unscrupulous breeders care more about profit than about the health of their animals. As a result, the animals in their care are not provided with adequate shelter, food and water, and do not receive proper veterinary care.

Mixed breed dogs and cats are much healthier than purebreds. As Brian Kilcommons, well known dog behaviorist points out, “Mixed-breed dogs are what nature intended of dogs, and are on the whole, healthier, often more intelligent, of more even disposition, and live longer lives than many purebred dogs.”

Purebred registration papers, such as those from the American Kennel Club (AKC), are not an indication of quality. By their own admission, the AKC cannot guarantee the quality or health of dogs in its registry.

The breeding industry as a whole enables bad breeders to flourish. Backyard breeders sell directly to the public, as do many puppy mills. However, these breeders don’t advertise themselves as backyard breeders or puppy mills, so it’s difficult to know whom you are dealing with. Advertisements from unscrupulous breeders fill the “dogs and cats for sale” section of the classifieds in newspapers everywhere. Identifying this type of breeder can be tougher than you think, since they present themselves as respectable breeders who care about their animals. Red flags that help identify these types of breeders include puppies and kittens being sold at an inappropriate age (less than 8 weeks), more than one type of purebred dog or cat for sale, breeders who are reluctant to show potential customers the entire premises on which animals are being bred and kept and breeders who don’t ask a lot of questions of potential buyers.

• Consider mixed breeds who make wonderful and truly unique companions.
• Adopt, Don't buy! Adopt your companion animals from shelters, rather than buying them from pet stores or breeders.
• Adopt from dog and cat rescue organizations which place unwanted and abandoned purebred dogs and cats into new homes.