Jessica,
I also want to welcome you to Pet Talk.

I understand what you are saying, but I do not
agree with you 100%.
(now I will probably be slammed for what I am
about to say) THIS is long, since I am opinionated person.


First before I begin, reputable breeders are NOT
the problem why so many dogs are in shelters today.
This has already been proven by studies. Good
breeders are a very small percentage of the puppies
being born compared to the damage of BYB.

In "my" opinion a BYB is anybody who does not spay nor neuter their dog and allows it to get pregnant or pregnate anothers
whether by accident, or on purpose to breed.
(that also includes the pure bred breeder, who does not
put any considerations into HEALTH and does not
care about the betterment to improve the pure breed for
the future, and also includes the breeders who
breed litter after litter.)

Puppy mills are another big problem.

I am not the problem why so many dogs are in shelters today, and it is not my job to clean up the mess that others leave.
My last 2 "past" dogs were from a kill shelter and from a rescue.
I donate $$ to rescues yearly for the past 10 years and will
continue to do so, I have also donated items such as
crates and water bowls etc.
But If I choose to buy a dog from a "reputable breeder, I,
nor is that reputable breeder the cause of why so many animals
are in shelters today.

I think for those who volunteer at shelters,
they have a wonderful BIG heart, and I also feel it's
wonderful to resuce a dog from a kill shelter.

How many people have not taken the times
to search a breed or find their dog no longer fits into their life style and they drop the poor
dog off at the pound? (that's another problem)

I will never feel guilty for owning a dog from a "good" breeder.
Now that I know better, I will never buy
a dog from a Pet Shop, nor a BYB.
My sister will never own anything but a dog from a Kill shelter.
We respect each-other's choices and my next dog might
be from an Akita rescue.

Sorry to ramble, but if you want to stop the overflow of
dogs going to kill shelters, than people need to be educated and SPAY/NEUTER their pets and not buy those
cute pups in Pet shops to help close down Puppy Mills.

JMHO