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Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 2:28 pm Post subject: Breeders on Humane Society Board.

Do you think that breeders should be allowed on a Humane Society Board? I know how everyone feels about breeders especially the back yard types which I feel that these 2 board members are.

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 5:07 pm Post subject:

I didn't vote because my opinion is: it depends on what type of breeder. If someone is a reputable breeder and wants to be on the HS board, I think that is great. I believe all reputable breeders should also rescue so why shouldn't they also serve on a HS board. However if they are the type of breeders that are churning out tons of pups (many litters a year without pre-approved homes), then I would have to wonder what the HS was thinking by putting them on the board.

I don't know if they are reputable or not. The one thing that gets me is that they take a couple of our dogs/puppies and put them on tv once a week. Along with the ones from the shelter they also put theirs on. We get calls the next day asking about their dogs and not the ones from the Humane Society. To me that is not right. They breed dogs, run a grooming/boarding place yet wants some of the food that is donated to the shelter. They don't want the off brand, yucky stuff but the good stuff. The good stuff should be for the shelter not them. Our animals come first. I also feel that no breeders should be on the board. It goes against everything that the Humane Society is there for.

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 12:11 am Post subject:

If a breeder is active in rescue, why shouldn't he or she post on the HS forum?

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 12:26 am Post subject:

Oh I am so glad that you brought this up. I'm inclined to vote no. Let me give you a scenerio of something that actually happened recently:

I was considering volunteering my services to a local humane society, They are non profit (501c3) and accept donations from the public. I always like to check things out thoroughly when I'm thinking of donating time or money. I don't make it obvious, but when I speak to an organization, visit their shelter or one of their adoption fairs, I'm really observing and listening carefully. Don't get me wrong, my expectations aren't unreasonable. I'm look for professional behaviour, integrity, compassion toward the animals and ethical standards within the organization.

So, first I spoke with the organizations' rep on the telephone. During that initial conversation she proceeded to behave in a very, very unprofessional manner. I won't go into that here, but I was more than a little shocked. That's one strike - lack of professionalism. But, I'm willing to overlook that.

I overlooked other things that really stunned me too.

I decided to meet these people at an adoption "fair" they were having at a local business. I'm listening and watching and I think "well, these people are a little rough around the edges, but maybe worth volunteering for anyway since the animals should be my priority".

Then one of the board members, who is there greeting the public is approached by an older couple who are looking for a smaller dog than the ones they had on display. Without hesitating, she explains that she is a breeder of "X" breed, her puppies are available for $250 and also gives her address to the couple. That was the last straw and the one thing that made me decide not to get involved with that group on any level.

I believe the public has a right to expect certain things from a nonprofit humane organization - whether in terms of adoption or in terms of monetary or other donations. I believe it is unethical for a humane society member to utilize a humane society adoption day as venue for selling puppies, when there are so many dogs that need homes. In think, human nature being what it is, there should be no room for the temptation to use such a position or venue for personal profit. I was appalled and I still am when I think about it.

I suppose the real problem is with an organization that lacks the kind of structure, leadership and policies that I think they should all have. It's just too bad. I think we'd all like to think that people will just be ethical. This isn't like the workplace where the policy is that employees cannot solicit money from other employees, yet there's always that certain person who comes to work armed to the teeth with their kid's band sale candy. This potentially takes an opportunity for a home away from the very pets they are supposed to be helping.

I don't know the hard answer or if there is one. After giving it some thought here, I think it wouldn't be completely unacceptable to me *if* the organization had clear policies forbidding the breeder from using humane society contacts to sell puppies AND if they had effective leadership who were assertive enough to strictly enforce that policy.

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