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Responsible Breeders

While the Alabama Humane Federation encourages all potential pet owners to go to sheltering agencies/groups and adopt a pet, we understand that the desire for a specific breed of pet will cause many pet owners to seek out breeders. 

AHF does not support irresponsible “backyard” or mass breeding of pets but recognizes that there are many Responsible Breeders who take their role as a breeder quite seriously. 

AHF opposes the sale of dogs and cats at flea markets, pet stores and other commercial operations.

AHF encourages those who wish to go to a breeder seek out only “Responsible” Breeders who:

- Take great pains to not only ensure that their pets are healthy and well-cared for, but that they are sold only to the best possible homes.  They do not sell to the first person with cash in hand.

- Do not breed animals with heritable diseases or deformities nor do they breed animals who have exhibited severe aggression. 

- Ensure their pets receive the highest level of care in regards to their living conditions, food, clean water, exercise, socialization and veterinary care.

- Consider their pets as part of their family and screen potential buyers carefully to ensure the new family is fully aware of the breed’s traits, exercise requirements, longevity, size and care needs.  

- Never sell their pets through brokers, dealers, flea markets or pet stores.

- Ensure their pets are completely weaned (8-10 weeks for dogs & cats) and have received the recommended health checks, vaccinations, de-worming and flea treatments in accordance with veterinary recommendations.

- Do not ‘overbreed’ their animals, nor breed extremely young or old pets.

            - Stand by their animals and take back any animal of their breeding.

            - Ask you to come and meet the parent(s) at their home and not at a rest area on the interstate or in a parking lot somewhere.

            - Support the efforts of their Breed Rescue Groups and shelters to help find responsible and loving homes for individual animals of their chosen breed.

AHF encourages individuals looking for a breeder to contact their veterinarian, seek out a purebred club’s breeder referral resources, go to a professional dog/cat show, ask local shelters, contact breed specific rescues and/or ask respected animal loving friends.

AHF encourages individuals who believe a breeder is violating local or state cruelty laws to report them to their shelter or local law enforcement. 

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) also offers resources to assist if you think a person is operating a ‘Puppy Mill” at: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/qa/puppy_mill_FAQs.html.    

The HSUS Pet Seller Complaint form can be found at: http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/pets/puppy_mills/pet_seller_complaint_form.pdf