You should adopt a rescue dog instead of a dog from a breeder

Firstly, I wish to think my opponent for the opportunity to discuss animal issues, which I think are far more important than most people seem to care about -- but I won't disgress too far into this. While I agree with my opponent's intent, I beleive that his solution is misguided to a degree. “Pets can add to the health and happiness of the individual who adopts them” This point is assumed on both sides of the argument. It is explicit that a dog will be sought as ‘adoption of a rescue dog’ and ‘purchase from a breeder’ as both premises require the wanting of a dog. You then go on to justify the acquisition of a dog. This is not required. The point of contention in this debate is from where the dog should be sought. A potential dog owner may not find the dog he or she wants from a rescue dog centre There is no obligation for a potential dog owner to save a dog from a rescue dog centre; the potential dog owner has every right to choose which dog he or she wishes to house and care for. For example, a potential dog owner may want a purebred dog, which would be hard to obtain from a rescue dog centre because not every dog will have birth documents (and probably wouldn't end up in a dog rescue centre). A rescue dog is more likely to have infections than one from a breeder A study conducted by the United States National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP) in 1998 showed that 47.7% of dogs turned in to shelters were not altered (spayed or neutered) and that 33% had not been to a veterinarian[1]. This indicates, for example, that a rescue dog is more likely to have STDs if the dog has not been neutered, as 33% have not been to a vet (in comparison to every breeder taking dogs to the vet)[1]. Of course, the rescue dog can be checked for basic infections, but it is simply too time consuming to check for every infection (but dog breeders can because there are far less animals to take care of when compared to a dog rescue centre). Adoption does not solve the problem, it only attends to the results The problem is not that people are not adopting dogs regularly enough, the problem is that dogs are being irresponsibly bred. As you alluded to, the problem is worsened by the existence of “dog mills”. Other factors for rescue dogs are abusive households or a lack of a home (stray dog). Eradication of these negatives, rather than attending to the results, will ultimately fix the problem. The same study conducted by the NCPPSP concluded, “the owners who were relinquishing their pets did not have the knowledge to be responsible dog owners, and that educational programs aimed at present and prospective owners would reduce the number of dogs relinquished to animal shelters”. In light of this, an effective solution to the problem would be to educate owners on how to responsible owners -- this is where the effort should most heavily be applied. While it is heart-warming to see dogs being saved thanks to rescue dog centres, it is unfair to say that everyone should be adopting from said centres. As I have demonstrated, there are occasions where potential dog owners will want to purchase dogs from breeders. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org...