Back yard breeding is the leading cause of pet overpopulation in the US. Nearly two thirds of America’s pet population comes from back yard breeders. These breeders keep a number of animals specifically to breed or simply allow them to breed uncontrolled. They do so for various reasons. Some may do it for fun while others do it for “a little extra cash”.
Animals found with back yard breeders rarely have a traceable medical history. Breeders cannot verify the genetics of their breed stock, and offer no guarantees of the animal’s health other than first shot records, if that. Some have very little or no actual knowledge of their breed’s history.
Pets are often bred, birthed, and housed in substandard conditions as the breeder normally has no intention of investing in proper housing due to their short term goals. Pop out a few litters, make a few bucks, and it’s all a done deal. Many of these pets living in these poor conditions will not receive medical care during their life with the breeder.
You will find animals for sale by back yard breeders in places like the local paper and online “swap” sites. Places like “Craig’s List” and Ebay can be found chock full of the breed of your choice.
Many Back yard breeders will advertise their pets as “full blooded” and sometimes even “registered” and yet they aren’t able to produce any type of papers for their litters. All the more reason for offering discounted prices on highly demanded breeds.
These breeders have no concern for the future of their individual pets and will sell them to anyone who will pay their price. There are no checks made on buyers to insure each pet goes to a good home. They do not require that buyers spay or neuter each pet after purchase in order to stop substandard offspring or control of the overall animal population. Back yard breeders have no concern what so ever for the overall future of the breed they deal in.
Bark yard breeding can go terribly wrong, easily and quickly. Allowed to breed uncontrollably, litter upon litter produces more animals than the breeder can keep up with. They are unable to sell as many pets as are being produced. Very quickly these breeders become overwhelmed and can no longer maintain the amount of animals they have in their care. Many times these breeders will contact authorities and surrender their entire stock of pets to local shelters to get out from under the burden they have produced.
Unfortunately back yard breeders surrender pets that are un-socialized due to their mass numbers, have little to no vet care and many times have health issues that have gone unchecked their whole lives. Due to these two constraints, shelters often find it hard to get these pets adopted and many times will be forced to euthanize do to the overall number of ill and un-socialized animals. Breed specific rescues and foster homes are usually the best hope a BYB pet can have once surrendered. There are the occasional few who are just good natured and semi healthy that will meet the criteria for adoption at most shelters.
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