Australian Shephoarder

Open Letter to JLT

Dear Junior League of Tulsa,

Shame on you. It is not okay to auction a puppy.

First of all, acquiring a 14-year-long responsibility should not be an impulse buy. Auctioning off a dog is an impulse buy. Highest bidder gets the good, whether they know what they are truly getting into or not. They get the cutest little puppy, recognition from the event, a tax write off and a cute cuddly new friend.

Unfortunately they also will get a lot of added responsibility, expenses from maintenance and veterinarians; no longer can they just leave the house for the weekend: must find animal care.

Count on losing a few personal items, some may even be quite expensive: leather goods, furniture, home damage, etc. Puppies chew and do damage. 

The list can go on forever.

Secondly, you are essentially contributing to a puppy mill; if not outright approving of their existence. DO not try to deny it -- I know for a fact that no responsible and professional breeder would sell a dog to someone for auction. It is written in most breed association bylaws. If you purchased this animal from a clean, well maintained business where the animals are treated well, good for you. However, you still purchased it from an animal broker, whose purpose is profit and not improving the sport or the breed.

Lastly, it is against the bylaws of the AKC to sell dogs at auction and any breeder who does so will be placed on permanent referral. Not that the AKC is any great reference in overpopulation of dogs. But I'll bet one of the selling points of your dog is that it is purebred.

From your core values: selling a dog for profit is NOT a good nor admirable community service. There are higher standards available and more things are important than exchanging cash for a life. Someone created that life for profit and your organization seems to approve. That business gave you an animal with no strings attached -- and likely no spay or neuter contract; no show contract, no contract for health guarantee. 

Pet overpopulation is a serious problem in the Tulsa community. True community leadership would put this issue above profit; indeed you should be donating your resources  and making a commitment to stop pet overpopulation, rather than approving it.

 

 

Sadly, There Isn't One

It has happened to us all at one time or another. We've all been "snookered" into falling for sales pitches, propaganda and the likes. Sometimes we aren't even aware when someone is presenting false information.
On Animal Planet's "Puppy Bowl" there was a "toy Australian Shepherd," presented to the nation as though it was a breed, or an official type of dog. It seems BYBs who are intent on making money from selling animals, are making sure the SPCA is kept at its capacity.
Sure, there was a cute pup that needed adoption; sure it looked like a tiny version of the Australian Shepherd...but, had the show's producers done their homework, they would have discovered that:
1. The smallest an Australian Shepherd can be according to breed standard is 18 inches.
2. Neither the United States Australian Shepherd Association, American Kennel Club, or the Australian Shepherd Club of America recognize either a miniature form of the Aussie or a toy form of the Aussie. In fact, they all have statements which specifically state that there are no smaller versions of the breed.

Had the Animal Planet executives done their homework, they might have labeled the dog "a pup that  looks like it might have some Australian Shepherd in it," or even "a dog that looks like it might have some Australian Shepherd qualities." But to let the title, "Toy Australian Shepherd" roll off the tongue like it's common knowledge was negligent.

Reputable Aussie breeders work fervently to improve the breed. I think they would have come up with the idea that a smaller version would be better. But the BYBs (who know so much about the breed) have mixed it with--I've actually heard this--Pomeranians and Chihuahuas--and can't even find the guts to come up with their own name (rather than ride on the coattails of the Australian Shepherd.) How about a Pompousass Shepherd? How about a Chihausspom?

Anyone who wants a smaller version of the Aussie could consider among others, a Schipperke, a Corgi or a Shetland Sheepdog. They don't have to invent anything new and thereby create more business for the SPCA.