My friend Steve's thoughts re: getting a dog from a breeder --

The dog thing is negotiable. However, I'm giving a certain timeframe for something to pan out with a shelter before I decide to go to a breeder. My reasons for this are as such: I hate dealing with animal extremists. They have very skewed and unrealistic views of who is and is not fit to own a pet. If it were up to them, every dog they adopted out would go to a person who had no job, no life, therefore all the time in the world for the dog, and a fenced in farmhouse. Unfortunately for dogs that will end up euthanized and some very disappointed potential adopters, this is not a realistic expectation. Shelters ain't all they're cracked up to be. I've dealt with enough of them at this point to know that I'd rather spend absurd amounts of money for a pet that comes with certified health papers than spend another minute talking to animal extremist groups. It comes down to the fact that while I'd preferably adopt a dog from a rescue, I'm not fit in the majority of their sights as a dog owner. Another thing is that I want a pet, not necessarily immediately but in the near future, and a list like you suggested could take years. We'll see what happens, but it's all on the back burner for now until after the new year.

He IS fit to own a dog. That's bullsh*t. He knows he is, too. He has a townhouse with a roommate and ANOTHER DOG both of whom would love to have another dog around.

Help me talk some sense into him, without being a shelter-nazi. Anyone work at these places? What should he go in with so that he doesn't come across like a wanna-be-rockstar stoner freak with tattoos (b/c he does look like that)?

"What should he go in with so that..."

pictures of his dog. Seriously, it always helps to show your current dog is healthy and happy.

He can also talk to the workers first. Tell them the kind of dog he wants. And tell them his living sitation, townhouse with no fence, but lots of walks, and a roommate to help take care of the dog. They'll usually recommend dogs for you. I know our shelter requires a fenced in yard for way too many of the dogs. It's unfortunate that we're turning away a lot of good dog owners because of this. Shelter workers just get discouraged at the huge number of returned dogs and work to reduce that number by having stricter policies. Some breeders don't care who gets the dog, because they know they won't get it back in a couple years if the owner grows tired of it, a shelter will, and they already got your money anyways. Your friend sounds like a good pet owner, so he shouldn't have a problem. Have him give you as a reference.

A good breeder will also be selective about who they sell a "pet".

Cracks me up. Most of the AR people I know here in LA look the way you describe your friend.

Have him watch a Gap commercial or something.

Ultimately, he's being unreasonable. Rescuing a dog from a shelter doesn't necessitate dealing with extreme AR wackos.

At the local shelter, we require potential adoptees to bring in their resident dogs to meet the new dog so we can make sure they won't try to kill each other, so he needs to be aware that they may make him do that.

The adoption process at the local shelter here is very easy, actually. If you rent, we need confirmation from the landlord that it's ok to have a pet. We also check to see if there have been any animal abuse convictions or if any animals have been seized for abuse. Other than that, as long as you can provide a good home for the animal, you're good to go.

Just be honest. I sat in on the adoption "interview" when I volunteered, and was interviewed last year when we adopted Filo (http://www.veggieboards.com/pics/showphoto.php?photo=752&password=&sort=1&cat=998&page=1) from the same humane society. They're just trying to make sure you're not selling to a research company, getting the animal as a gift for someone, or blatantly negligent or ignorant about pet care. He obviously is not any of these things. It really depends on the person, but most of the people I've dealt with have been reasonable.

They have very skewed and unrealistic views of who is and is not fit to own a pet. If it were up to them, every dog they adopted out would go to a person who had no job, no life, therefore all the time in the world for the dog, and a fenced in farmhouse. It comes down to the fact that while I'd preferably adopt a dog from a rescue, I'm not fit in the majority of their sights as a dog owner. [/i]

I wanted to get a rescued collie for my mom (she had one as a child) and, yeah, we wouldn't be fit. Thankfully, I found Beau at an animal placement shelter... he's the best.

You just need to talk about humane society dogs... maybe he has a narrow idea of what shelters are?

A good breeder will also be selective about who they sell a "pet".

That's for sure! My friend is a Great Dane breeder, and her organization puts your faith back in the fact that there are responsible breeders out there. Check out the contract you have to sign to purchase a dog from there... http://www.naturedanes.com/pcontract.html

That being said, there are tons of backyard breeders out there who either 1) just do it for the money, 2) think their dog is cute or special and want more of the same, or 3) "accidentally" let their dog get pregnant. .... And they're the main reason our shelter is continually full.

My story...maybe it will help, maybe not...I've had a couple of dogs.

1st dog - Purebred boxer purchased from a breeder. Gift to hubby #1. Awesome breeder. I had to sign a contract and promise that if I had a problem with the animal I would bring it back to her. Her dogs were healthy, had good dispositions, etc. (she's with another family now - we couldn't decide who would get her in the divorce and we couldn't split her in half!)

2nd dog - Elvis, purebred dalmatian adopted from the SPCA. Beautiful and healthy dog, just hates being alone. I had to go through an interview process that asked specific questions - do you have a fenced yard (no, but we are in an area safe for walking), do you have other pets (no), what would you do if you moved (take the dog with us), what would you do if you could no longer care for the dog...you get the gist. This was 5 years ago...I still have him he's nine or ten now.

3rd dog - Ellie, purebred dalmatian rescued from a backyard breeder. No questions asked no strings attached, gimme 100 bucks and the 9 month old b**ch is yours. She was neglected, etc., but she makes great company for Elvis. She's a troubled dog (I posted in breed banning thread about her). I've had her for 5 years and intend to keep her difficult a$$ until she decides it's time for her to "go".

The adoption process can be intimidating, but I can understand it. Elvis had been returned to the SPCA 3 times before I took him home. The shelters are careful to prevent someone from getting a "novelty" then returning it. They're also careful to prevent animals from being abused or used to fight, or chase vermin, or whatever unspeakable things people can do. I don't think they're AR Nazis, just careful.

Anyway, your friend is probably as fit as anyone else that walks into the shelters, he just has to be honest with them, and himself. I certainly hope his looks wouldn't come into play...he sounds DIVINE. Errm...back on topic... He could just be making up excuses because he's scared that a dog is a huge responsibility and it will change his ability to just breeze in and out as he pleases. He could fear the costs associated with animal care. I know I spent a bloody fortune a couple of weeks ago on Elvis because he's old and getting well, older. He could fear getting attached to an animal and having something go dreadfully wrong.

Best of luck.

My SPCA experience was wonderful. We went to the West Chester SPCA, I know some people that work there and I intend on going back again when we adopt another dog. Now, my husband Eric and I are both pretty well-tattooed people and we didn't get a single odd look from any of the workers. We were asked the routine questions, and they were so helpul. When we adopted Aidan, he had to be neutered before we could bring him home, and they made special arragements with their vet to get him in sooner so we could take him home within a few days. Maybe your friend is having problems at a certain shelter? I've heard things about the Newark SPCA that aren't that great, regarding the workers, so maybe he could check into the other local SPCAs or Humane Societies.

I'm with punkmommy. Check into another shelter. No way tattooes are a sign of being an incompetent animal caretaker, duh. Someone will know this. There are so many FABULOUS mutts and I know your friend will find his.

I'll add this: I do understand where the people giving away the animals are coming from. They love animals very much, and they are scared of making a bad choice for them. When my parents got Emma from a local organization, the woman who had fostered her burst into tears as we left. She loved her too. My parents told her that she could visit any time, and sent Xmas photos. Let them know you don't mind them getting in touch. They most likely won't, but they'll be glad to know that they can.