Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-24/uk-to-tighten-laws-on-sale-of-puppies-and-kittens
If you’re anything like me, you’ve definitely visited pet shops before and stood looking through the display glass at the adorable animals for an unnaturally long time, wishing you could buy each one. But have you ever seen a pothound, or should I say, Caribbean Terrier, for sale in these establishments? Of course not. Because designer/pure bred dogs have always been in demand while mixed dogs populate our streets.
Many argue that pure bred dogs are preferred to mixed breed dogs because they are predictable when it comes to physical traits, as well as SOME temperament/behavior traits. However, people who purchase purebred dogs often base their decision on the positive things about them without considering the negatives.
And there are some very considerable negatives.
Most puppies and kittens that you see in pet stores are products of puppy/kitten mills. Here, the only concern is quantity of animals being produced and so quality of health takes a back seat. Animals suffer from malnutrition or starvation due to inadequate or unsanitary food and water and are kept in squalid, overcrowded cages where they are forced to sit and sleep in their own waste. As a result, diseases are easily spread, but sick or dying animals receive little or no veterinary care.
Additionally, adult animals are continuously bred until they can no longer produce, then they are destroyed or discarded as they are no longer of any value. Puppy and kitten mills are horrific places and they need to be put out of business immediately. But buying animals from pet stores puts money directly into the pockets of millers and enables the business to thrive.
Source: http://audreyavoiceforthevoiceless.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-deadly-reality-of-kitten-mills.html
Many are quick to argue, however, that buying from “responsible breeders” does not contribute to this problem, and that it’s much better than buying a puppy/kitten mill pet from a pet store. While, yes, it is definitely better than contributing to animal mills, breeding is not “responsible,” regardless of how well the animals are cared for. Not only does buying from a breeder contribute to the problems of pet overpopulation and purebred superiority, but purebred dogs face a host of health problems that mixed breeds are far less likely to develop.
I would argue that Trinidadians, and perhaps even Caribbean people on the whole are more inclined to keep dogs as pets rather than cats. As a result, I’ve not seen as many cases of feline breeding, but it definitely does exist in our region and persons do purchase pedigree cats at very high prices.
Munchkin cats are a relatively new "breed" characterized by a genetic mutation that causes short legs. While they may appear cute, this mutation brings about a plethora of health issues, most relating to bone deformities. According to Dr. Carol Margolis, a veterinarian and lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, this inappropriate bone formation leads to abnormal loading, which predisposes these cats to osteoarthritis. Additionally, they can have spinal malformations and scoliosis.
Source: https://www.purina.co.uk/cats/cat-breeds/library/munchkinz
As of recent, I’ve seen an increasing number of pet owners in Trinidad with pugs and bulldogs. While these dogs have become more popular in recent years (I assume due to cute Internet videos), they fall into the category of brachycephalic dogs, which includes pugs, bulldogs, French bulldogs and shih tzus.
The term simply means that the skull is shortened and structures that should make up the nose has been squashed flat. As a result, these dogs are always in respiratory distress. If you’ve ever interacted with a pug before, you would notice the very heavy breathing yourself.
I’ve also noticed an increase in the number of Siberian Huskies in Trinidadian households. These dogs are undoubtedly stunning, but they are NOT meant to live in our climate. Although they are able to adapt to hotter temperatures, these breeds are built for colder weather. As such, they are more sensitive and at greater risk of dehydration, overexertion, and overheating.
It is important to have a designated room that’s either cooled or with air conditioner, or at least, well-insulated, away from the heat. A kiddie pool and cooling mats can help as well. However, most Husky owners I have observed do not provide these conditions.
Some owners hold the misconception that shaving the dog will help it cool down, but the husky's undercoat actually controls its body temperature in both hot and cold weather. Shaving the coat will make the dog susceptible to sunburn and take away the ability to regulate its temperature.
Source: http://www.vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker/can-cold-weather-loving-dog-breeds-be-happy-in-hot-climates
I could seriously go on and on about why pet breeding is horrible. In order to stop this horrendous animal abuse, I STRONGLY advocate for adopting homeless animals from animal shelters and rescues, rather than buying from a pet store or breeder.
Every year, millions of shelter animals are killed in the United States of America ALONE. Adopting a wonderful dog or cat is a great way to improve the life of the animal, help your local shelter or rescue, and find a new furry member of the family. Here in Trinidad, you can pay a visit to the Trinidad and Tobago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TTSPCA) in St. James where there are tons of beautiful, loving furry friends that you can adopt. There is also a TTSPCA branch in Tobago. If you don’t have the resources to adopt a pet, you can always donate supplies or volunteer your time to socialize the dogs and cats.
Additionally, there are a few other animal-based NGOs, such as Animals Alive and The Mustapha Project that do excellent work in rehabilitating strays and are meticulous in doing home checks before finalizing adoptions. Like the TTSPCA, they also ensure that the animal is spayed/neutered before they are adopted. Isn’t that amazing? We all know Trinidad has an overpopulation issue with stray animals which makes the work being done by these NGOs even more crucial.
Source:https://www.facebook.com/speakuptakeactionsavealife/photos/a.580714665340106/3380137955397749/
Source:https://www.facebook.com/TTSPCA/photos/pcb.10156720411541470/10156720411426470
Why do we allow so many amazing shelter animals with hearts full of love to wait their entire lives for their very own family? Why do we forgo the sweet pothound who has the world of love to give for a purebred dog with built-in health issues that costs thousands of dollars?
Globally, the problem is being addressed in areas like the UK and hundreds of cities and counties in America through retail pet sale bans, which prohibit pet stores from selling dogs and cats (and sometimes additional animals like rabbits) sourced from commercial breeders. Instead, stores can offer animals available for adoption from rescues and shelters.
This is definitely a step in the right direction, but more must be done to ensure puppy/kitten mills become obsolete, especially in the Caribbean, where breeders and puppy/kitten mills are largely unregulated as there is no existent legislation in place to prohibit this practice.
It is important to remember that breeding is an unethical and irresponsible activity to take part in. It promotes purebred superiority while conveniently disregarding the serious health risks posed to these animals. If you really want to help the cute puppies and kittens in those pet store cages please be mindful of where they come from and adopt, don’t shop.
Sources:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-24/uk-to-tighten-laws-on-sale-of-puppies-and-kittens
Wonderful article, really informative