Altering pets prior to sale or securing a commitment from the owner to spay or neuter (if health or age prevents altering at the time of sale) and following up to ensure that the surgery is done.Responsible breeders care about the welfare of all dogs, which they demonstrate by: Serving as an ongoing resource for new owners and being able and willing to take back or rehome an animal if needed for any reason at any time.For this reason, they only sell animals directly to prospective owners and not via a third party or broker. Committing to making a good match between the owner and the dog by sharing the characteristics and needs of the specific dog (and breed if applicable) and understanding a prospective owner’s expectations.Using waiting lists or other strategies to assess that there are quality homes available for their dogs before breeding.Responsible breeders commit to ensuring all dogs they breed are provided a good home by: Prepare an adoption/purchase contract in plain language that spells out the breeder’s responsibilities, adopter’s responsibilities, health guarantees, and return policy.Provide accurate and reliable health, vaccination, and pedigree information.Encourage prospective owners to visit where dogs are bred and raised, meet the litter and preferably both parents (but at least one), and discuss their breeding and sales practices.Responsible breeders are transparent and provide a complete history of the dog. When placing a puppy or adult dog with a known heritable issue, disclose all relevant information to the new family and ensure the dog is spayed or neutered prior to placement (or that the purchaser is contractually obligated to spay or neuter within a designated time frame and follow up to confirm that the surgery is done).Reduce the risk of offspring suffering from an inherited disorder by not inbreeding dogs (parent to offspring or sibling to sibling).Screen for heritable traits that could negatively impact puppies, and only breed the heathiest and most physically sound and behaviorally stable dogs.Prioritize health and function over appearance.Responsible breeders strive to breed dogs who are most likely to result in happy and healthy pets. Ideally, puppies are placed when they are between 10-12 weeks of age. Puppies should not be fully weaned before 8 weeks old unless there are medical or behavioral reasons to do so. Ensuring that puppies are gradually and fully weaned before being placed.Not subjecting dogs to permanent physical alterations that are done solely for cosmetic purposes.Placing dogs or keeping dogs as pets that are unable to breed, dogs who are unsuitable for breeding or dogs who have been returned.Safely handling puppies daily and socializing puppies with other dogs and people of appropriate ages.Prioritizing the wellbeing of the mother dog (and the father too, where applicable) by developing a breeding plan for each dog based on the dog’s age and health, in consultation with their veterinarian.Raising dogs intended to be pets in a home environment.Providing all dogs with quality food, clean water, proper shelter, exercise, socialization and professional veterinary care.
Responsible breeders provide their dogs with a high quality of care, which includes: These breeders reject the practices of commercial breeders, brokers, pet stores, auctions and others who profit from cruelty and instead plan breeding carefully, place dogs thoughtfully, and take a lifetime responsibility for the animals they have bred and for all of their offspring. The ASPCA recognizes that there is a demand for purposefully bred dogs, and we know that there are dog breeders who share our vision for humane communities in which all animals are treated with respect and kindness.
This position statement focuses primarily on dogs, but certainly has some application to other species, particularly cats and rabbits. Those who choose to purchase a pet should visit a responsible breeder, a term whose meaning we explain further below.
Because there are homeless animals awaiting adoption in almost every community in the nation, the ASPCA firmly believes that when people decide to bring a pet into their homes, they should first consider adoption from a shelter or rescue group.
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