I am an animal lover. I am not ashamed to be a man and love my cats. Our big male, Phantom, is my buddy. I love hanging out with him watching football or just relaxing reading a book. Our littler female, Maggie, is perhaps the cutest thing ever to be born. Ever.

So, with me and the wife being such big animal lovers, we obviously abhor pet stores. Strong language I know but I mean it. We abhor them. The very idea of profiting from the selling of animals makes me very angry. There is a pet store in the mall here in Bloom Francisco and it really pisses me off. I can not even walk on that side of the isle knowing that it is there.

Which brings me to breeders. Are you serious? There are people who make their living forcing animals to mate and then selling their offspring? Really? This is the best they can do? Their own lives are so empty that they have to fill it by cramming more animals into an already over-populated society? Why on earth do these people think this is a good idea? I will tell you why. Because people will buy them, that is why. People do not usually continue to do something that is unprofitable. There has to be some payoff for them to keep doing it and the payoff is, surprise, money. The animals are not even animals to these people, they are commodities. They are goods to be bought and sold but not living, breathing animals. I know what you thinking, "Well, we bought Mr. Sniggles from a great breeder down on the old Johnson farm and he has been nothing but great." Well, good for you, you beat the system. Really healthy and happy dogs VERY RARELY come from breeders. Usually, breeders keep their goods...er...I mean animals, trapped in too small cages for way too many hours. The animal is only allowed out when it is time to mate or for just a tiny bit of exercise. If you do more than three seconds of research into dog breeders you will see pictures and videos that will bring you to tears. Full grown dogs kept in tiny cages barely able to stand because they are so hungry and neglected. They would feed the dogs but that would cut into their profits and we can not have that. No siree. And more often than not, the animals you will buy from the breeder are going to be unhealthy or develop severe health problems. You see, the natural health problems that that particular breed has are being reinforced over and over again. It is only by cross-breeding them are you going to get away from those health problems. That is way mutts are usually healthier than pure-bred dogs. Usually.

So, how can we stop breeders? STOP BUYING FROM THEM! Stop it! Stop thinking of animals as accessories. "Oh, I have to have a labradoodleshnoodlepuglewuglefuckinthing. I just have to." No, you do not. Do you have any idea how many animals are put to death every year at your local animal shelter? Probably more than you think. There are far too many animals that only want someone to love and to love them. There are already too many animals and breeders are only adding to the problem. If you stop buying from them, they will no longer be profitable. And if they are no longer profitable, they will have to find some other line of work. Please, please, please if you are thinking about acquiring a new cat or dog, visit your local shelter. The animals there are already neutered and have had their shots and everything. All the work has been done for you. All you have to do is show up and pick your new best friend. "For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. Praise the lord from the earth you great sea creatures…wild animals and cattle, small creatures and flying birds…let them praise the name of the Lord for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens. Praise the Lord!" (Psalm 50:10; 148:7-14)

Again, I am sorry for the rambling nature of this post. I promise, as I get more of my anger out, I will refine it down and make it easier to read.

Thank you for your time.

One Pissed-off Hobbit