Want a certain breed? Don’t buy from a breeder. Check out a breed rescue instead.

To the Editor:

On Dec. 17, I published a guest opinion essay in RiverheadLocal about the newly enacted Puppy Mill Pipeline Act, which is a good start in addressing inhumane breeding practices as well as the companion animal overpopulation crisis that shelters in New York and nationwide are facing.

But I went a step further in my opinion piece, highlighting the fact that the real cause of this crisis is consumers providing a market for inhumanely and irresponsibly bred animals in the first place.

I have been overwhelmed by the positive response I have received about this editorial, mostly from people who are grateful to learn about this important issue, and what they can do to help (i.e., don’t buy from breeders).

One woman had an interesting and important question: What should someone do if, for example, they need a hypoallergenic dog because their child has allergies? Is it ethical to buy a purebred dog in a situation like that?

The answer: First, check with local shelters. Shelters frequently have purebred animals who need homes. And if not, adopt from a breed rescue. From Chihuahuas to Great Danes, most breeds have rescue groups that foster and place homeless animals.

I once rescued a Springer Spaniel who had been abandoned at the veterinary hospital I worked at. I called the Spaniel breed rescue, and they located a family in Upstate New York who were thrilled to adopt this wonderful animal: a perfect solution for everyone, including the dog.

There is no need to buy animals from breeders. Anyone can find the perfect companion animal to meet the needs of their family from within the rescue community.

Thanks to RiverheadLocal for providing a forum for this important discussion. Let’s hope 2025 is the year for peace and happiness, not just for people, but for all the animals who depend on our ethical choices to protect them from harm and abuse.

Sincerely,

Alison Watson

Brooklyn, NY