09/02/2025
As someone who purchased a backyard bred Corgi for our very first dog almost 20 years ago, and our second was a rescue mix off Craigslist, I have learned so much about why it's important to support good breeders and educate myself on what to look for. We loved our Corgi and she was amazing! And our rescue was also a fantastic dog. But knowing they could have been given a better start/chance made me want to do better the next time.
Reducing homeless pets, surrenders, rescues begins with responsible pet ownership and responsible breeding. Here’s why:
Your choice matters. When buying from backyard breeders, puppy mills, impulse side of the road, and pet stores, it's fueling the very cycle that fills shelters. These Breeders always have puppies available because they sell to anyone and don't care where each puppy ends up. They don't take puppies back, and often don't stay in contact with their puppy homes. They cut corners with health testing, puppy raising, breeding poor temperaments, and living conditions- because they're in the business of producing puppies to make money and that's all they care about .
Responsible breeders protect their puppies.and do their best to give them the best start. They health test, pair dogs with good temperaments, prove their temperaments through sports/obedience, different events. They raise them as family, carefully screen homes, take puppies back if needed, require spay and neuter and stand behind their dogs for life. That means their puppies aren’t the ones ending up abandoned.
The wrong purchase = the wrong cycle.
An informed buyer changes everything. When you support breeders who do it right, you’re reducing the number of pets at risk of neglect or surrender, and less dogs are being irresponsibly bred because there's not a demand for them.
Every dog deserves the best chance, demand better 💓
