Oftentimes, all breeding is discouraged in the animal welfare community. While the MSPCA supports adoption as a first choice, we recognize that obtaining an animal from a breeder can also be an appropriate choice for people looking to add a pet to their family. The health and welfare of the animal should be kept in mind along with consideration for the current population of homeless animals.
Terms such as “hobby breeder,” “responsible breeder,” and “backyard breeder” are often poorly defined or misunderstood and can lead to confusion and/or judgment. The following tips can help you make informed decisions when purchasing a dog or cat from someone who breeds animals.
If you plan to obtain an animal from a breeder, we recommend you:
Visit. Prior to purchasing, visit the home or breeding kennel to meet one or both of the animal’s parents and to observe any animals for sale. Visiting is essential as you can see the conditions all the animals are kept in and ask important information about health, behavior and welfare, of the animals for sale, as well as that of the parents.
Look at the animal and the housing areas. Make sure the animal looks robust and healthy and is kept in sanitary conditions. If you have concerns, you can reach out to us or the state’s Department of Agricultural Resources. Breeders in Massachusetts (and in some other states) do not have laws or regulations they are required to adhere to, so doing your own homework is particularly important.
Stay local. Do not obtain a pet from an online source or a distant breeder whose facility you cannot personally visit. It’s easy to create a professional-looking website with attractive photos that can hide poor breeding conditions.
Research. Join a breed club, go to a dog or cat show and/or breed meet-ups, or find other places to meet breeders where you can learn and ask questions.
Breed specialists. Look for a breeder who focuses on one or two breeds. Someone offering many breeds for sale could be distributing pets bred elsewhere on large-scale commercial facilities, rather than truly being a breeder themselves. A source with many breeds could also indicate that a breeder may not be paying attention to the needs of the specific breeds.
Ask questions. Make sure you get satisfactory answers to your questions about the breed, potential health and genetic issues, and what happens if you get the animal home and have a problem or concern.
See records. Ensure there is documentation of vaccinations, deworming, and/or a health certificate for the animal to be purchased. Ask to see the health testing that is common for the breed to ensure the breeder has paid careful attention to hereditary diseases and orthopedic problems.
Ask for references. These can ensure the breeder can provide positive feedback from other people who obtained a pet recently.
Support after purchase. A breeder will want to have a lifelong relationship with the animal. They should be available to you for questions and concerns about the animal’s health and behavior.
It is important to note that registration papers (AKC or otherwise) are not a guarantee of pedigree or quality of the puppy or kitten and do not mean the puppies or kittens were bred or raised in humane conditions.
The MSPCA works to prevent, and bring awareness to, large-scale commercial breeding facilities (often referred to as “puppy mills,” though there is no legal definition of that term) that put profit above animal welfare. Read more here. Following the tips above will help ensure you are not accidentally supporting a puppy mill.
