All pets deserve to have the best life possible – and the process starts well before the puppies or kittens are even born. Your pet breeder has a huge influence on the quality of life of your pet.
As a pet buyer, the choice you make about where you purchase your pet from has significant ramifications on both the animal’s welfare and the overall integrity of pet breeding.
Ensuring that you are dealing with a legitimate, ethical breeder is a responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly. However, if you have no experience in the pet industry or are a first-time pet buyer, it can be challenging to discern whether or not a breeder is legitimate.
Let’s take a look at how you can ask the right questions as well as the red flags that may be a sign of trouble.
The Importance of Verifying Breeder Legitimacy
Pet breeding is a complex industry, entailing a huge responsibility towards maintaining genetic health, ensuring animal welfare, and preserving breed standards. Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous parties who view pet breeding solely as a business opportunity, ignoring the critical welfare needs of the animals they breed.
In particular, “puppy mills” and “kitten factories” are notorious for breeding animals in deplorable conditions, often resulting in ill, traumatised, and genetically compromised animals. By ensuring that you are purchasing from a legitimate, responsible breeder, you are not only securing a healthier pet but also combating these unethical breeding practices.
Accountability of Responsible Breeders
Responsible breeders are held accountable through a combination of legal regulations, professional standards set by breed organisations, and the expectations of informed pet buyers. They are required to adhere to various laws concerning animal welfare, licensing, and reporting, and many will also voluntarily participate in breed clubs and organisations that set rigorous standards for breeding.
These breeders typically aim to improve the breed, reducing the prevalence of inherited diseases and enhancing positive traits. As part of this, they often invest time and resources in genetic testing, selective breeding, and participating in shows or competitions that evaluate adherence to breed standards.
Importantly, responsible breeders also hold themselves accountable to their customers. They are transparent about their breeding practices, provide comprehensive health histories of the pet, and are willing to provide post-purchase support to buyers.
The Importance of Breeder Organisations
Breeder organisations, sometimes also known as breed clubs or registries, play an integral part in promoting responsible pet breeding. Many breed organisations require their members to adhere to a code of ethics, which often includes health testing, selective breeding, proper care and housing of animals, and full transparency with buyers. They monitor their members to ensure they follow these guidelines, promoting the overall welfare of the animals.
Many breed organisations maintain a directory of member breeders. This can be an invaluable resource for potential pet owners seeking an ethical breeder. Membership in such an organisation is not a guarantee of ethical practices, but it can be a positive sign as these breeders have committed to upholding the organisation’s code of ethics.
Checking a breeder’s affiliation with recognized breeding organisations can be a useful step in assessing their legitimacy and commitment to ethical breeding. However, potential pet owners should still conduct a thorough evaluation of the breeder, as membership in an organisation is just one factor in the overall picture of an ethical breeder.
Benefits of Buying from Ethical Breeders
Buying a pet from an ethical breeder is not just a responsible decision; it comes with a myriad of benefits for you, your pet, and the broader animal community.
Better Health and Temperament
Ethical breeders prioritise the overall health and temperament of their animals above all else. They carefully select the parent animals based on these characteristics, ensuring that genetic health problems and temperament issues aren’t passed on to the next generation.
They routinely have their breeding animals and offspring screened by veterinarians, and are forthcoming about any potential health issues. This results in healthier pets with predictable temperaments that align with breed standards, making them better suited to family life and reducing the likelihood of behavioural problems down the line.
Lifelong Support and Resources
Ethical breeders view their relationship with buyers as a lifelong commitment, not just a one-off transaction. They remain available to provide advice on training, diet, health issues, and general care, helping pet owners navigate the joys and challenges of pet ownership.
Moreover, in unfortunate circumstances where the pet cannot remain with the buyer, many ethical breeders will take the pet back to ensure it doesn’t end up in a shelter or in an unsuitable home.
Preservation of Breed Standards
By adhering strictly to established breed standards, ethical breeders contribute significantly to the preservation of different breeds. They enhance the positive traits for which these breeds are known and loved while working diligently to reduce the occurrence of breed-specific health issues.
This preservation and improvement of the breed ensures that future generations can enjoy these unique animals and their distinctive traits.
Contribution to Animal Welfare
Ethical breeders are pillars in the fight for better animal welfare. Their respectful, caring treatment of their animals, coupled with their commitment to educating buyers about responsible pet ownership, raises the overall standard of care within the pet industry.
Supporting such breeders financially helps them continue their invaluable work and sends a strong message to the industry about consumer expectations.
Transparency and Education
Ethical breeders provide potential buyers with a wealth of information about the breed, including its strengths, weaknesses, and care needs. This information helps buyers make an informed decision about whether the breed is right for them and helps prepare them for the reality of owning that breed.
This level of transparency and education is crucial to ensuring a good match between the pet and owner, reducing the likelihood of failed adoptions or pet abandonment.
Promotion of Responsible Breeding Practices
When you buy from an ethical breeder, you help promote responsible breeding practices within the industry. Your financial support incentivizes breeders to maintain high standards of care and to place animal welfare at the forefront of their operations.
This demand for responsibly bred pets can lead to industry-wide improvements, phasing out inhumane practices such as puppy mills and backyard breeding.
Peace of Mind
Perhaps one of the most understated benefits of buying from an ethical breeder is the peace of mind that comes with knowing your pet has been raised with care and love. The comfort of knowing your pet’s lineage, health history, and that they’ve been socialised and cared for properly cannot be understated.
The assurance of support from the breeder throughout your pet’s life is an added layer of security and peace.
Identifying Red Flags: What to Watch Out For
While ethical breeders are committed to the welfare of their animals and the integrity of the breed, not all who claim to be breeders meet these standards. Identifying a legitimate, ethical breeder requires vigilance and a keen eye for certain red flags that may indicate less-than-ideal practices.
- Lack of Transparency: Ethical breeders are open about their practices, including their methods of breeding, health testing protocols, and the lineage of their animals. If a breeder seems evasive, unwilling to share detailed information, or their information seems inconsistent or incomplete, these are clear red flags. Transparency is key in ethical breeding; without it, you cannot be sure of the conditions your prospective pet has been subjected to.
- Poor Living Conditions: The state of the breeding facilities can reveal a lot about the breeder’s practices. Animals should have clean, comfortable, and spacious living areas. They should also have access to outdoor spaces for exercise, socialisation, and environmental stimulation. If the breeder is unwilling to let you visit the premises or if you notice unsanitary, overcrowded, or stressful conditions, these are cause for concern. Remember, animals that are raised in poor conditions are more likely to have health and behavioural problems.
- Multiple Litters or Breeds Available: Ethical breeders tend to focus on quality, not quantity. They usually have a limited number of litters each year to ensure each animal receives ample care, attention, and socialisation. Furthermore, most ethical breeders specialise in one or two breeds to maintain a deep understanding of the breed’s specific needs. If a breeder always has multiple litters available or breeds multiple different types of animals, this might indicate a profit-driven operation rather than an animal welfare-oriented one.
- Selling Underage Puppies or Kittens: Pets should not be separated from their mothers and littermates until they are of an appropriate age—usually at least eight weeks for puppies and kittens. This period is crucial for their social development and overall health. A breeder willing to sell pets before they reach this age is demonstrating a lack of concern for their animals’ well-being.
- No Veterinary Records or Health Guarantees: Responsible breeders will provide comprehensive veterinary records indicating that the pets have received appropriate health checks and vaccinations. They will also generally offer a health guarantee, committing to take responsibility for certain health issues should they arise within a specified timeframe. If a breeder does not provide these, it may indicate a lack of proper veterinary care or an unwillingness to stand by the health of their animals.
- Pressure to Buy: Ethical breeders understand the importance of a good match between the pet and the prospective owner. They will not rush you into making a decision, and in fact, may ask you many questions to ensure you’re the right fit. If a breeder pressures you to buy immediately or uses high-pressure sales tactics, take it as a warning sign.
- No Contact with the Breed Parents: Getting a chance to meet at least one of the puppy’s or kitten’s parents provides valuable insight into your potential pet’s future health and temperament. It also offers an opportunity to assess the parent’s living conditions and demeanour. Breeders who won’t allow you to meet the parents may have something to hide.
- Lack of Knowledge or Passion for the Breed: Ethical breeders are typically deeply passionate about the breed or breeds in which they specialise, and possess extensive knowledge about their specific needs, characteristics, and potential health issues. If a breeder seems indifferent, lacks knowledge about the breed, or is unable to answer breed-specific questions, consider it a huge red flag.
- No References or Bad Reviews: An ethical breeder should willingly provide references from previous customers or their vet. Take the time to contact these references and ask about their experience. Moreover, online reviews can be informative. Be wary of breeders who have no references or whose reviews raise concerns about their practices.
At the end of the day, it’s always best to trust your gut – if you ever feel like your breeder isn’t being completely transparent and forthright about their animals and their breeding practices, there is no shame in pulling out of the deal.
Critical Questions to Ask the Breeder
In addition to the above, here are some essential questions you should ask potential breeders:
What is your experience with this breed?
You want to ensure that the breeder has extensive knowledge and experience with the breed. They should be able to explain why they breed these particular animals and what they love about them. This gives you an idea of the breeder’s passion and understanding of the breed’s specific needs and characteristics.
Can I visit your facility and meet the animals?
A reputable breeder will encourage you to visit their breeding facility. This visit allows you to observe the living conditions, meet the parent animals (or at least one parent), and interact with the puppies or kittens.
Do you health test your breeding animals and can I see the results?
Ethical breeders prioritise the health of their animals and carry out genetic health tests to avoid passing on hereditary diseases. They should be able to provide proof of these health tests and openly discuss any health issues present in the breed or their breeding line.
How often do you breed your females?
Frequent breeding can take a toll on a female animal’s health and wellbeing. Responsible breeders allow ample recovery time between litters. The exact time can vary depending on the species and breed, but if a female is being bred every heat cycle, that is typically a red flag.
How do you socialise your puppies or kittens?
Socialisation in the early weeks of life is critical for a pet’s behavioural development. Breeders should expose their animals to a variety of people, sounds, and experiences to help them grow into well-adjusted adults. There is almost no lower bound for this – even newborn puppies and kittens benefit from varied sensory stimulation and human interaction.
What kind of diet do you feed your animals?
Good nutrition is essential for the growth and development of young animals. The breeder should be able to provide detailed information about the diet they feed their animals and explain why they’ve chosen it. This can also be helpful for you down the line, as you’ll have a better understanding of what type of diet works best for your future pet.
What is your policy if the pet becomes ill or if I can’t keep them?
Ethical breeders stand by their animals and will offer a health guarantee. They should also have a policy to take back any pet or rehome the pet if the buyer is unable to care for them, preventing animals from ending up in shelters or unsuitable homes.
Can you provide references from previous customers or your veterinarian?
References can give you a clear picture of the breeder’s practices and their reputation within the community. They should be willing to provide these references upon request. Experienced breeders will likely have spent a great deal of time interacting with both veterinarians and pet buyers, and how they get along will give you a better idea of how your experience will go.
How do you select the homes for your puppies or kittens?
Reputable breeders are interested in finding the best possible homes for their animals. They should ask you questions about your lifestyle, home environment, and plans for caring for the pet to ensure it’s a good match. If they only seem interested in making a sale, or try to push you to make a deposit before you have all the information you need, be wary.
What steps do you take to ensure the welfare of your animals?
This open-ended question allows the breeder to provide more insight into their ethical practices, priorities, and commitment to animal welfare. Listen carefully to how they answer and don’t hesitate to have them clarify any points where you are unsure about how they treat their animals.
Remember, the responses to these questions should demonstrate a breeder’s passion for their animals, knowledge of the breed, and commitment to ethical practices. Don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions or seek clarification if something seems amiss.
Conclusion
Buying a pet from a legitimate, responsible breeder can be an enriching experience and a significant step towards advocating for higher standards in the pet breeding industry. By doing your homework and asking the right questions, you can ensure you’re supporting ethical practices and bringing a healthy, well-cared-for animal into your home.
Your commitment to finding an ethical breeder can have a lasting impact on your future pet’s health and happiness, and on animal welfare in your community.
