On 2005-03-27, Brian Link penned:
Going through old photos today, and came across a directory filled with pics
from when we were thinking about buying a Bengal (which we did, and he's
wonderful). Most are from this site:
http://www.tibcs.com/petcorner/photos.php

After having been through an ordeal with a stray, and knowing the incredible
number of discarded cats available for adoption, is it morally wrong to
think of adopting another purebred?

We've adopted six strays over the last ten years. We bought our Bengal
primarily because we wanted a cat whose personality could be determined
before hand, so it would keep our playful, energetic Tiger company. This was
a specific case that's worked out fantastically..
http://www.discant.com/Cat/Henry%20001.jpg

But I really love this breed - and if we can get ahold of a kitten, there's
a better chance that Louis won't go nuts.

Just a thought. Breeders will continue to breed no matter what we do, and
poor strays will get euthanized no matter what we do. But is this just
rationalizing?

Eh.. I'm not totally driven to take in another cat, but I keep wondering
what Louis will do when Tiger finally dies.. it would be so nice for him to
have another friend around. Also I'd be happy to hear others' thoughts about
adopting from a shelter vs adopting a purebred.

BLink

You're asking a tough question here. For me, cats are cats regardless of
breed, so I have to put the question to myself in terms of dogs, where
variations are more significant to me. There are most certainly breeds of
dogs that I like much better than others.

I believe in the principle of generalization (kind of like the golden rule):
this is one way that Kant proposed to evaluate whether or not something is
moral. You simply pose yourself the question, if everyone were to do what I
am considering, would I find the world to be a better or a worse place?

It's a toughie. If no one bought cats and dogs from breeders, then breeders
would go out of business, and there would just be moggies. But is this
ultimately my better world? I mean, right now, it's easy enough to find a
black lab mix at the shelter, but if no one were breeding them, would they
still be around? Then again, with all the hip problems to which retrievers
are prone, might it not be better to give up the breed entirely rather than
allow these diseases to continue?

My decision is to avoid buying an animal from a breeder. If I really wanted a
purebred (I personally don't, though, because in my experience mutts and
moggies tend to be healthier), I would go through a rescue organization.

--
monique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully

pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca