Adopt vs. Shop

While we love all animals regardless of where they come from, we do advocate for rescuing pets rather than buying them. For every pet that is purchased from a breeder, a perfectly wonderful shelter pet dies. In our experience, pets that suffer premature deaths due to disease often come from breeders. Rescue pets are no less deserving, intelligent or loving than purebreds. In fact, these pets understand that you saved them and will fill your life with gratitude and joy. Parents of rescued pets often say the animal rescued them, not the other way around.

Sure, there are reputable breeders, but sadly, there are far more “backyard breeders,” who cause tremendous suffering to the animals they overbreed, neglect and discard. In Northeast Ohio, there are multiple rescues devoted entirely to Amish puppy mill dogs that have been used, abused and thrown away.

If you are set on a certain breed, there are breed-specific rescue groups, where you can find the rescue dog of your dreams. If you are worried about getting a “broken dog,” shelters are full of puppies. Although, rescue pups are rarely actually broken – their spirit of forgiveness, gratitude and joy usually conquers any past wrongs committed to them. If you are determined to get a dog from a breeder, please, please, please do not adopt from anyone who will not show you the puppy’s parents.

Below you can find links to adoption websites, shelters, and rescue groups.