Rebecca Goff, the Nevada State Director of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), described Washoe County as “lucky” because it takes a hard stance against the pet-selling business, passing ordinances limiting them.
In 2020, the Reno City City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting the retail sale of cats and dogs in pet stores.
Puppy Love in Sparks appears to be the only remaining store that sells puppies, according to Goff, who hopes that will change soon.
The puppy mill business exists predominantly in the Midwest, with Goff describing such establishments as “crates on top of crates,” in which dogs rarely get out and puppies are torn away from their mothers.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) publishes “The Horrible Hundred” - a report of puppy mills and other unethical breeders within the country. While it is not a fully comprehensive report, it is a valuable resource to be more aware of this industry.
Puppy mills and backyard breeders pushing out animals like products also work against shelters.
On top of taking money and resources away from shelters, they import dogs into already overpopulated areas.
Goff said shelters in Nevada “are bursting at the seams” and it’s getting worse as people gear towards “trendy” dogs, even though shelters already have many of these popular breeds.
“Spoiler alert, they do have French Bulldogs because people surrender them,” Goff said. “So do check your local shelters if your heart is set on that dog.”
Goff also urged prospective owners to consider more than dogs blowing up online. Oftentimes, people come to shelters looking for that hot breed, ignoring the dozens of other dogs waiting for a home. To her, all it takes is opening your mind to what a particular shelter has to offer.
Senior dogs have a special place in Goff’s heart. She says that the time with a senior animal, however short it may be, is “so valuable, and so amazing.” Unlike puppies or younger dogs, they may have less energy and require less training.
A senior dog could be a great companion that many aren’t aware of yet.
WCRAS Program Coordinator Quinn Sweet gives a hug to an adoption candidate.
For any potential dog owner, Goff says shelters and rescues should be their first stop. However, Goff made it clear that it’s not immoral to want a purebred animal or specialized breed. Whether it be the need for a hypoallergenic breed or simply a lifelong desire to own a Yorkshire Terrier, it’s important to find the right dog for each particular scenario.
“Designer dogs” have also exploded in popularity in recent years, with the Goldendoodle (golden retriever and poodle mix) leading the charge. Designer dog breeds are as simple as bringing new fur colors, patterns, or textures to a breed. Others include “teacup” varieties of already small dog breeds.
Bluntly, Jack Riggsbee, show chairman of the Reno Kennel Club (RKC) said, “A designer breed is a fancy name for a mutt. It’s no different than the street dog you pick up.”
A Goldendoodle is simply a mix - even by the WCRAS’s standards. WCRAS Program Coordinator Quinn Sweet said that, when a Goldendoodle is put in their system, it’s entered as a Golden Retriever mix.
Riggsbee describes it as “ridiculous” that people are paying top dollar for dogs that are essentially mutts. With Doodles being a mix of two breeds, Riggsbee explained that their characteristics change with each generation.
This can be especially problematic when breeders advertise a Goldendoodle or similar dog as hypoallergenic. Poodles are known for this trait, but there’s “no guarantee” that this will be passed down.
If you’re seeking a mutt or designer dog, Riggsbee advises to simply visit a shelter, which have some truly unique mixes of their own at a fraction of the cost.
Goff promised “you will be so surprised at the animals you can find.’ Not only that, she describes mutts as “hardy” when it comes to health issues. While some purebred dogs are prone to congenital problems, mutts can have a greater resilience and even live longer due to their rich genetic pool.