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Responsible breeders are individuals who have focused their efforts on one or a
select few breeds and through breeding, historical research and ongoing study,
mentoring relationships, club memberships, showing, raising and training of
these breeds have become experts in the breed’s health, heritable conditions,
temperament and behavior. Responsible breeders are well suited to educate and
screen potential buyers/adopters and provide follow-up support after purchase or
adoption. Responsible breeders take lifetime responsibility for the animals they
have bred.
- Never sells puppies to a dealer or pet shop.
- Screens breeding stock for heritable diseases and removes affected animals
from breeding program. Affected animals are altered; may be placed as pets as
long as health issues are disclosed to buyers/adopters.
- Removes aggressive animals from breeding program; alters or euthanizes them.
- Keeps breeding stock healthy and well socialized.
- Never keeps more dogs than they can provide with the highest level of care,
including quality food, clean water, proper shelter from heat or cold, exercise,
socialization and professional veterinary care.
- Has working knowledge of genetics and generally avoids inbreeding.
- Bases breeding frequency on mother’s health, age, condition and recuperative
abilities.
- Does not breed extremely young or old animals.
- Often breeds and rears dogs in the home, where they are considered part of the
family.
- Ensures neonates are kept clean, warm, fed, vetted and with the mother until
weaned; begins socialization of neonates at three weeks of age.
- Screens potential guardians; discusses positive and negative aspects of
animal/breed.
- Ensures animals are weaned (eight to ten weeks of age for dogs and cats)
before placement.
- Offers guidance and support to new guardians.
- Provides an adoption/purchase contract in plain English that spells out
breeder’s responsibilities, adopter’s responsibilities, health guarantees and
return policy.
- Provides accurate and reliable health, vaccination and pedigree information.
- Makes sure pet-quality animals are sold on a limited registration (dogs only),
spay/neuter contract, or are altered before placement.
- Will take back any animal of their breeding, at any time and for any reason.
Lemon
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