09/21/2024
https://www.facebook.com/100050463975828/posts/1086055693086553/?mibextid=xOYQyo
I had a lengthy conversation last night with a friend from NYC. He’s a manager at two pet stores that will likely be closing at the end of this year due to retail ban legislation. We got on the subject of Retail Rescue as I have been doing a lot of research while filming this doc. I interviewed him for the doc last year and he shared his opinion in detail, basically summed up as “(Retail) rescues are the new puppy mills.”
So how did he get to this conclusion and why do I agree with him? Retail rescue has been around for a while and with the increase of retail bans (no selling of puppies/cats) these types of operations are popping up everywhere. and other phrases used by animal rights folks to guilt people into “rescuing” a pet is working quite well. So much so, people are willing to pay adoption fees that are as high or more than a breeder/pet stores cost. What’s the difference? If you buy a dog from a breeder, you meet the family, parents of the puppy, talk about their practices, get a health guarantee, and other pertinent information. If you buy from a pet store, you have health guarantee and ability to return the animal within a time frame- I know Indiana has strengthened this law to help curb “impulse” buys. None of this happens when you “adopt” from a retail rescue.
“But we are saving these puppies!” by adopting, you might argue. Really? These puppies are sourced from breeders, auction and other rescues (yes, there are rescue puppy brokers)- an entire network that is supported by your dollars.
My friend also made a great point about the word “adopt” vs purchase. It’s all semantics. You are acquiring a pet in exchange for money. There’s no inherent morality in the word “adopt” and unfortunately, in the word “rescue” if you really start to investigate many of these operations.
