Stop Apologizing

I meet a lot of people and when they have pets I usually hear about how much they love them or if they are having problems.  I love to hear the stories and help if I can. 

 

The reason for this short blog is that I want everyone to stop apologizing to me and to other staff members of our organization if you purchased your pet or adopted from another organization.

I don’t judge you if you bought your pet.  I would rather you try and adopt one because it saves two lives the one adopted and the one that comes in behind them.  And we do get purebreds and I understand wanting a purebred.  I have a Boxer and a Burmese Mountain dog and a French bulldog mix, all rescues, so I get wanting a certain kind of dog. Though I must admit that the Burmese I chose mainly because of her personality and I wish she didn’t have so much hair, my goodness.   

But, I get why people buy dogs.  They may have certain hypoallergenic reasons or want a specific breed or they are fearful of the personality of a shelter dog.  I understand.   I really want a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.  I have wanted one for 20 years but I have never seen one in the shelter environment in my 14 years.  But, I won’t buy one so I probably won’t get one unless one does come to the Lynchburg Humane Society.  And I am ok with that because there are so many fabulous dogs that come to us. And if you think about it they are one of a kind in their looks that is what makes getting a mutt so much fun, trying to figure out the mix and no one else will have one just like yours.

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I recently told a supporter: “you do a lot to help animals in need through donations and giving so much of your time, if you buy a dog you should not feel guilty about wanting a certain breed.”   Doesn’t mean I am not looking for a dog for her and hopefully we will find one but if we don't then I am glad she gets a dog that she loves. 

So don’t let anyone make you feel bad about buying a dog.  But… it might be nice if you consider donating to our cause to help those pets who do not have an owner.  Or when looking for a new pet for your family to at least give the shelters a look, you never know what you might find.  And of course do your research when buying a dog so you can make a responsible, informed decision and know where it came from and the environment it’s parents lived in.  Don’t buy from a pet store!

And if you have time and are looking for a certain breed we do get them. From beagle puppies to Maltese, English Bulldogs to Boxers, to Labs we usually get them. 25% of the pets we receive are purebreds.  Though sadly no Cavalier King Charles….

Lastly, if you adopt from another organization, that is TERRIFIC.  I love that you have adopted.  The national averages shows that only about 10-20% of the population adopts, we think it is higher in this area because we have so many wonderful people who want to give a pet in need a home.  Plus we are hoping the new building will make it easier to adopt from us.

All we ask is that you look at the local shelters first and if you do buy just care and love them and consider helping the homeless pets in need in other ways.. 

Now if you buy a cat, well……. That is for another blog.