- HOME
- COMMON PUBLIC MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PAWS
- ADOPTION: How do I adopt from PAWS?
- ADMISSION / ABANDONMENT: Can PAWS adopt/take my pet? Can I donate my pet to PAWS?
- ANIMAL CONTROL VS ANIMAL WELFARE
- ANIMAL WELFARE LAWS
- BRANCH OF PAWS: Are there other PAWS branches? Sana may PAWS dito!
- CITY POUND: Help! My dog was caught and was taken to the pound. Is this right/legal?
- CRUELTY: Hit-and-Run Case
- CRUELTY: How To Report Animal Cruelty + Calling 117
- CRUELTY: Online photos / videos / links, what can I do about these?
- DOG BITES: Help! I was bitten by a dog. What do I do?
- DONATE: How can I donate to PAWS?
- FOSTER: Temporarily keeping a rescue is one of the most important things a volunteer or concerned citizen can do. What does it take to foster?
- HOARDING AND IRRESPONSIBLE RESCUING
- HUMANE EDUCATION - BARANGAYS / SUBDIVISIONS : Does PAWS give seminars for barangays on animal care, catching of strays, responsible pet ownership?
- HUMANE EDUCATION: School Tours / Student Interviews / School Visits
- NEGLECT: My neighbor is beating their pet. My neighbor is not giving food/water/shelter.
- NEGLECT: Pet shops (Animals are malnourished, not fed, kept in small/cramped cages, etc.)
- NEIGHBOR COMPLAINING ABOUT OUR PETS
- PET SHOPS / PETS FOR SALE: Is it ok to buy from a pet shop? Is it legal to sell animals in the streets?
- REHOMING ASSISTANCE
- RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP
- RESPONSIBLE RESCUING
- SHELTER CLEANING PROGRAM
- SHELTER FEEDING PROGRAM
- SICK PET: Help, my pet is sick. What do I do?
- SPAY/NEUTER: Benefits
-
STRAY-RESCUE: What To Do With Rescues and Stray Emergencies
- STRAY-RESCUE: How do I admit this poor puppy/kitten/cat/dog I saw on the streets?
- STRAYS - How to get them off the streets?
- STRAYS: Why are there stray cats and dogs?
- ACTUAL REPORT: Dog with cyst. Need assistance.
- ACTUAL REPORT: Abandoned dog
- ACTUAL REPORT: Run-over stray dog with bone sticking out
- ACTUAL REPORT: Stray dog in bad condition beside hospital
- STRAY/RESCUE: Dog/Cat Stuck In Tree/Roof/Sewer/Creek/Etc
- STRAYS/PETS OUT IN THE RAIN/TYPHOON
- STRAY CATS: Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)
- TNR - How to do community TNR
- VET SERVICES: Does PAWS offer vet services?
- VET MALPRACTICE: My pet died at the vet, I think this is negligence, how can I complain about it?
- VOLUNTEER: How do I become a PAWS volunteer? / I'm not from Manila, how can I volunteer? / Can kids volunteer?
- WHY DO DOGS BITE?
- ABANDONED DOGS, PUPPIES, CATS, KITTENS - Can PAWS rescue them?
- ABANDONED NURSING KITTENS: Help! I found these little kittens and I don't know how to take care of them.
- BABIES AND PETS
- BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING: My dog has biting/aggressive problems, etc? What do I do?
- BOARDING: Can I board my pet at PAWS? Can my pet stay temporarily at PAWS?
- BURIAL/CREMATION: Does PAWS offer these services?
- CONDO DOES NOT ALLOW PETS
- DR. DOG : How can my dog be a part of the Dr. Dog Program?
- EXOTIC PETS: Is it legal to keep exotic animals?
- FOUND PET
- LOST PET: My pet is missing. Can you help me?
- NEW YEAR'S TIPS
- ON DOLPHINS, COCKFIGHTING, ETC.
- PAWS LOGO: Can our group use the PAWS logo for our event that will benefit PAWS? Can I use the PAWS logo for my blog?
- TRAVEL WITH PET
- PAWS Facebook Posting Guidelines
- PREPARING FOR DISASTERS
- 5 Freedoms
I did my research, and I really want a [insert purebreed]. Any more tips to help me choose a breeder?
Some questions you can ask the breeder. His response should help you determine if he is a responsible ethical breeder or not.
Related Link: Dog Buyer and Dog Breeder Responsibilities
Related Link: Puppies For Sale: Where Not To Buy Your Puppy
1. Can I see the puppy in your home?
The objective: To see the living conditions of the breeder's dogs, to see the dam and/or sire of the
pup, and to see the other dogs in his/her kennel to ensure that they all appear healthy.
2. Why did you breed the dam and sire?
The objective: To know the purpose of the breeding. It's not enough for a breeder to say "because they're
both cute and we wanted cute puppies" or "they're both so sweet"
3. Are there any health problems in the breed? Do you test for genetic diseases before breeding? What is
your health guarantee?
The objective: To know if the breeder is honest about his breed of choice, and his breeding. No purebreed
or breeding is perfect. Some breeds are prone to certain diseases (hip dysplasia, hernias, eye problems,
luxating patellas, bloat, etc). Is the breeder aware of such diseases? Has he/she taken steps to prevent
the diseases? Does he continue to breed dogs that are affected by these diseases?
4. What happens if the puppy is found to be sick by the vet I took him to only a few days after purchase?
The objective: To know if the breeder is concerned for the welfare of his puppies and if he will be
honorable about the exchange. Will he take the puppy back? Will he give a refund? Will he ask that the
puppy be checked by his own vet, and if in disagreement, will he agree to taking the puppy to a 3rd vet
chosen by both parties to confirm if the pup is really sick? Will he contribute to the medical fund? Or will
he just ignore you, call you a liar, deny that the puppy was sick and deny that the puppy caught the illness
from his kennel?
5. How do you feel about spay/neuter?
The objective: To know if the breeder understands and acknowledges faults (based on the breed standard
-- because FORM follows FUNCTION) in his dogs or his breeding, to know if the breeder understands the
problem of pet overpopulation and abandonment, to know if the breeder understands the risks of pyometra
for a female dog. A dog with serious inheritable disease or serious faults (which can affect a dog's
function) should not be bred because these faults can be further passed on and the best thing to do would
be to spay/neuter them. A dog with serious faults, however, should not be loved any less. If a dog does not
have serious faults, but the breeder still feels they should not be bred, then he would also consider
spaying/neutering them to prevent accidental matings and unwanted pregnancies.
There are more questions you should ask, and a breeder must also conduct his own interview and ask his own questions to ensure that his puppy will be going to the right home. Please research further online, and use your prudent judgement before purchasing from a breeder.
Related Link: Puppies For Sale: Where Not To Buy Your Puppy
1. Can I see the puppy in your home?
The objective: To see the living conditions of the breeder's dogs, to see the dam and/or sire of the
pup, and to see the other dogs in his/her kennel to ensure that they all appear healthy.
2. Why did you breed the dam and sire?
The objective: To know the purpose of the breeding. It's not enough for a breeder to say "because they're
both cute and we wanted cute puppies" or "they're both so sweet"
3. Are there any health problems in the breed? Do you test for genetic diseases before breeding? What is
your health guarantee?
The objective: To know if the breeder is honest about his breed of choice, and his breeding. No purebreed
or breeding is perfect. Some breeds are prone to certain diseases (hip dysplasia, hernias, eye problems,
luxating patellas, bloat, etc). Is the breeder aware of such diseases? Has he/she taken steps to prevent
the diseases? Does he continue to breed dogs that are affected by these diseases?
4. What happens if the puppy is found to be sick by the vet I took him to only a few days after purchase?
The objective: To know if the breeder is concerned for the welfare of his puppies and if he will be
honorable about the exchange. Will he take the puppy back? Will he give a refund? Will he ask that the
puppy be checked by his own vet, and if in disagreement, will he agree to taking the puppy to a 3rd vet
chosen by both parties to confirm if the pup is really sick? Will he contribute to the medical fund? Or will
he just ignore you, call you a liar, deny that the puppy was sick and deny that the puppy caught the illness
from his kennel?
5. How do you feel about spay/neuter?
The objective: To know if the breeder understands and acknowledges faults (based on the breed standard
-- because FORM follows FUNCTION) in his dogs or his breeding, to know if the breeder understands the
problem of pet overpopulation and abandonment, to know if the breeder understands the risks of pyometra
for a female dog. A dog with serious inheritable disease or serious faults (which can affect a dog's
function) should not be bred because these faults can be further passed on and the best thing to do would
be to spay/neuter them. A dog with serious faults, however, should not be loved any less. If a dog does not
have serious faults, but the breeder still feels they should not be bred, then he would also consider
spaying/neutering them to prevent accidental matings and unwanted pregnancies.
There are more questions you should ask, and a breeder must also conduct his own interview and ask his own questions to ensure that his puppy will be going to the right home. Please research further online, and use your prudent judgement before purchasing from a breeder.
EXAMPLES OF RED FLAGS / WARNINGS
- Breeder is rushing to sell the puppy to you.
- Breeder refuses to let you see the pups in his own home and would prefer a meet-up, and insist that you buy the pup ASAP.
- Breeder vaccinates his puppies on his own (unless he is a licensed veterinarian).
- Breeder uses marketing words to land the sale such as:
- XXL, big boned
- princess type, teacup, giant
- rare breed/color
- (and other words not found in the breed's standard) - Breeder is ok to SWAP with some other item (usually electronics) as payment.
- Breeder won't show you proper documentation or permits (for imported dogs).