Why are some people such irresponsible, stupid breeders?

Question

Notice I said some, not all, so don't jump on my back saying BUT I LOVE MY ANIMALS THEY ALL HAVE SEPARATE CAGES AND FOOD AND I SING THEM LULLABIES- I said *some*.

Basically, this comes off the back of this-

I work in a pet shop- in the UK, we don't get from mills, we don't sell dogs or cats, before people drag that in- and we had dumped on us, abandoned for our adoption centre, two male gerbils and a female, all living in the same, cracked tank. She had a litter already when she came in, three babies, and then she had /another/ litter a week or so later, so we had to remove the old babies- they were old enough to be removed. We sexed them as we went, and we had two girls and a boy, still young enough to be housed together.

They all got sick. Went downhill really quickly, one by one. So the first one got weak, wouldn't eat, had green stains on its legs, but no signs in the cage of diarrhea, which was unusual. So we force fed water, put them all in isolation, and gave TINY bit of baytril, but the first one died, then the second after a day, then the third two days later. Despite the lack of symptoms, I'm thinking Tyzzers, though it also seems neurological, as the gerbils bumble around the cage as if in search for something they can't find, and then sit and shake in a corner, bearing in mind how weak they are.

Now, I'm almost sure the babies are going to be sick too, the new litter, two weeks old tomorrow, and I'm sure it's genetic.

Why don't people think this through when they breed?!

Answer 1

I like to think of myself as responsible breeder of rabbits here in the USA.  I started raising rabbits as a hobby over 12 years ago after being introduced to it through a friend involved in it.  I raise purebred, pedigreed show quality rabbits for that purpose, to show them.  I travel across my state and surrounding states to go to these shows in order to meet up with the new friends of the hobby I have made with the mutual interest of showing rabbits.  Within my litters, I find animals of quality for me to keep and continue using in my breeding program (with the goal of breeding toward our "Standard of Perfection") and offer my animals to fellow breeders for their programs.  Animals that are not worthy for the breeding program are petted out to people, after I have met and filled them with my knowledge of what all is involved in rabbit ownership.  That I believe is part of my responsibility, to inform the public/potential buyers of my hobby and the responsibilities involved with it and to them.

With that being said, I have seen first hand some breeders within our hobby that do not have those same intentions.  And how do you explain their actions for breeding with sick or inferior animals?  You don't.  Only the person who does not do the research and take responsibility for their own actions can answer that question.  

We all can do our best to help inform everyone, but it all just comes down to that particular person and their lack of knowledge or respect for the actions they choose.  Abandoned animals are not the fault of just any and every breeder, but rather the irresponsible owner/breeder whose reasons can only be speculated upon b the rest of us.  Whether they think it's an easy quick way to make money selling many animals, or those that just do not do their research in order to know what their actions can do or what they are taking on.  For some people within the show circuit of animals, maybe it's the desire to be  famous, top of the winning charts, be a winner at any cost (even if it's to the health of the animal).

The best thing the concerned animal lovers can do, is just make sure you know your facts, and try to inform the public of them.

Answer 2

    Unfortunately, there are some breeders(all over the world) who are in the breeding business strictly for the money.  So, they don't care about the bloodlines or health of the dogs(or other animals).  For instance, puppy mills just keep breeding the females over and over, not caring about th health of the female.  The animals are usually kept in horrible conditions as well.

    It's great the pet store where you work does not except puppy mill puppies or any animal from an irresponsible breeder.  I have 4 dogs, and I checked the breeders out with all of them.

Sounds as though you really care for animals, which is great!  The world needs more people like you(and me).      

Answer 3

I used to manage a pet store.  No dogs. No cats.  I've seen it all.  

What the vast majority of people don't realize is that small animals reproduce like...well...like rabbits and that their pet population can quickly get out of control.  I've seen 4 generations of mice in the same aquarium, standing on hard-packed 3-4" of f***s and the stench hits you when they walked in the door.  I had a janitor bring me a guinea pig that he found in a shoe box in the trash compactor.  I've been handed $1000 birds and $500 reptiles.

What happens to a lot of these critters is that the employees take them home, because most petstore owners don't want to pay vet bills for animals that someone has neglected.  They prefer to bring in healthy animals from trusted suppliers.  So if you're a dumped Cockatoo or Water Dragon, you'll probably get a  new home.  Mice, rats gerbils, etc...you'll probably be snake food, because as I said, no boss is gonna put out $$$ to take a risk on bringing in diseased animals from public sources.

Pet owners and pet stores alike need to take a course in the proper sexing and separation of animals.  Personally, I can s*x baby mice at 2-3 weeks old- and when I was breeding, I NEVER had accidents.

Answer 4

Allot are just in it for money regardless of what the dogs condition is or anything and when caught there normally baned for 6year when it should be for life

Answer 5

people do it for money.... i know a lot of breeders (I'm defo not 1 myself) that don't care if there animal is dying in their arms-they will not even get the vet out as it 'costs to much money'-but i suppose some people breed because they are not well off themselves and feel this is the only way to get a bit of money....who knows....

Answer 6

Two words... IGNORANCE and GREED.  This frustrates me to no end.

Anyone who starts breeding domestic animals with the thought that it's going to make them alot of money is usually one or the other, sometimes both.

Lack of proper housing and not having a structured and planned breeding program can quickly result in inbreeding and overpopulation (such as the case with the gerbils you described).  In that case, it might have been someone who had a couple of cute little pets that they didn't know how to s*x and didn't realize that they would inevitably make more little unwanted pets.  They must've been closely related as well, if there are genetic issues with the offspring.

It's unfortunate, but the only way to prevent or eliminate careless breeding is through education (of both buyers and breeders).  If people are educated about proper breeding and husbandry, it will also help eliminate the market for mass produced "disposable" pets.

Answer 7

I really don't know, I guess some people don't care about their animals as much as others & don't seem to see they should be cared for like humans.

I honestly this it's cruel and unfair for some of the sweetest animals to be hurt & uncared for, if the people who treated their animals this way were treated like how they treat their pets I'm sure they would do

some re-thinking on how they treat their pets - that just want love&to be cared for.

Answer 8

greed.

thats it.