Castanet

There are about a dozen countries known for eating dogs (and cats) either as part of cultural practice, or due to necessity.

While I understand that saving a handful of dogs in Thailand from ending up on dinner plates is good for those few lucky dogs, thousands more will not be so lucky until the practice can be stopped through cultural change in some countries and eliminating food shortages in a few others.

We also have many dogs and cats on our own soil badly in need of saving from neglect and abuse and a home. As in many other things, why isn't every effort made to solve the problems first. When we can show exemplary model at home it puts us in better position to advocate for changes outside our own borders.

Personally I don't think it's really my duty to judge how/where others are choosing to place their humanitarian work. Just like adoption of children, I think it's pretty wonderful someone would open their doors and their hearts regardless of if that child were born in Kelowna, Canada, or a foreign country.

From my social media and the animal rescue sites I follow there's no shortage of Canadians focusing their help "locally".

I follow the "adopt, don't shop" mantra with animals, but I certainly will never fault someone or some organization based where they rescue from.

There's a certain # of animals needing rescue worldwide. So the only ones not helping make a positive change are the ones doing nothing at all.

You are right 'always sunny'. I take your point.

Headline grabbing is the biggest reason some choose to go to other countries , so they can boast about it in the media.
Animals are rescued every day in Canada with out all the hoopla and fame seeking and no mention from the media.

I adopt rescue dogs. It isn’t my first prerequisite, but it is taken into consideration. Our last dog was from Cabo, Mexico - she’d had a machete taken to her. She had scars all over her back and a sandwich plate sized patch of fur missing from her back end. Someone saw her potential and thought she would make a good pet. She was the best dog we’ve ever had - unfortunately, we had to put her down a year later though because she got very sick.

I can tell you that unwanted dogs here in Canada are treated way better than unwanted dogs in other countries. Notwithstanding the jerks who abuse their dogs (that aren’t adoptable anyway - these people want to keep their dogs) unwanted dogs here are largely humanely euthanized. In other countries, they are horribly abused and mistreated on a regular basis and generally die awful deaths from starvation or wounds.

If you look at the Kelowna SPCA website right now, there is ONE dog available for adoption. It is a big dog and that’s not what we’re looking for. There are plenty of pitty crosses (don’t want to get into a ‘pitbull breeds are the bomb’ debate here, it’s just NOT what I want) and little dogs. We want a medium sized dog that likes other dogs AND can get along with cats. That lessens the availability for us.

We’ve trolled rescue societies all across Canada and USA looking for “that” dog. So far, we haven’t found what we’re looking for. We will though :)

Most won’t agree with me, some will. Either way, it’s not anyone’s business where I adopt/rescue my dog from.

And Sunny - you hit the nail on the head for me, thank you xo

Sige wrote:I adopt rescue dogs.

We’ve trolled rescue societies all across Canada and USA looking for “that” dog. So far, we haven’t found what we’re looking for. We will though :)

We have adopted from shelters, private rescues and breed specific rescues. I have a soft spot for old dogs, so we have had quite a few good canine friends over the years. When the time comes that we have to say goodbye it is never easy no matter how long you have had with them. After a while another one has always found its way to us, so I get it when you say "that" dog. Yours is out there and you will find each other, no matter how close or far apart you are now. :)

I agree, I once rescued a dog from an abusive owner. Though she knew that I wouldn't harm her in any way, she was very scared and reserved in the first couple of weeks or so. It took some time for her to trust me and my family.But then she got over it and she was a part of our family for 10 years. She passed away last year because she was too old and ill. We still miss her.

Rosemary1 wrote:There are about a dozen countries known for eating dogs (and cats) either as part of cultural practice, or due to necessity.

While I understand that saving a handful of dogs in Thailand from ending up on dinner plates is good for those few lucky dogs, thousands more will not be so lucky until the practice can be stopped through cultural change in some countries and eliminating food shortages in a few others.

We also have many dogs and cats on our own soil badly in need of saving from neglect and abuse and a home. As in many other things, why isn't every effort made to solve the problems first. When we can show exemplary model at home it puts us in better position to advocate for changes outside our own borders.

All animals need saving from neglect abuse and inhumane way of dying. Do you see what they do to them dogs and cats before eating. So sick and gross it will make you cry. We all need to open our eyes on animal abuse from cats to sharks monkeys everything. Humans are the most cruelest living thing on this earth. I help as much as I can I might not physically go to each country to help but money is money and I can do without things to stop animal cruelty in this world. We all live here not just humans animals been here longer.

As I know, majority of Asian countries does this. Not because they are poor, but it's because it is part of their ritual or culture.

I good example of this is China that has a yearly celebration of it.

The event was called Yuengling event by the way.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-36583400

Rosemary1 wrote:There are about a dozen countries known for eating dogs (and cats) either as part of cultural practice, or due to necessity.

While I understand that saving a handful of dogs in Thailand from ending up on dinner plates is good for those few lucky dogs, thousands more will not be so lucky until the practice can be stopped through cultural change in some countries and eliminating food shortages in a few others.

We also have many dogs and cats on our own soil badly in need of saving from neglect and abuse and a home. As in many other things, why isn't every effort made to solve the problems first. When we can show exemplary model at home it puts us in better position to advocate for changes outside our own borders.

leave the ones outside our country alone - everyone has to eat. Save the abandoned 'pets' locally.

A saved animal is a saved animal IMO.

As long as they live a great life, I don't care where they come from