continued...
American Cat Fancier's Association: "How to Find a Reputable Breeder
American Kennel Club: Purebred dog breeder referral. (highly recommended if searching for a breeder)
American Kennel Club: "How to Find a Breeder"
All Sands.com: "Purchasing a First Bird: breeder .vs. Pet Store"
M and E Rabbitry: "Rabbit Breeder Directory"
What about pet stores?
This is the LAST place you want to find your new pet. Unfortunately, the "mom & pop" pet shops of yesteryear are almost extinct. Granted, there are a handful of these left...but if you are able to find one near you be thankful. More often than not, the cute bunnies and puppies and kittens found in pet stores come from mills. Mills are places where animals are produced in mass numbers. The breeding animals are not socialized, and are kept in tiny, cramped compartments. A lot of the times these places are just filthy and the animals are kept in HORRENDOUS conditions. Most of the animals are sick or even deformed. The females are bred constantly. Female dogs, for instance, go into heat twice a year starting around 6-7mo depending on the breed. That means they are bred twice a year, EVERY year from roughly 6mo old until their death.
Now, is that something you would like to support? Any money you spend on an animal from that pet store goes right into the miller's pocket. They don't turn around and spend it on vet bills or show fees. Puppy millers might make $10,000 on puppies being sold in pet stores. What are they doing with the money? Taking vacations to Florida maybe...buying new cars....or worse. Buying more dogs.
Still not convinced that you shouldn't go back and buy that adorable sweet little pup? Check out the following websites:
Pet Mills: An American Disgrace
CAPS: Pet Shops and Puppy Mills