Bali, like so many places around the world, is overflowing with beautiful dogs in need of homes. Puppies, seniors, tiny lap dogs, big fluffy companions and every personality you can imagine are all waiting for a chance at a better life.
Yet every day, more and more puppies are bred and sold while millions of others sit in pounds, shelters and rescues, are left living on the streets, are carelessly abandoned, or live in fear and neglect. Why? Because people are still buying dogs.
WHY BUYING DOGS CONTRIBUTES TO ANIMAL CRUELTY
Bali, like so many places around the world, is overflowing with beautiful dogs in need of homes. Puppies, seniors, tiny lap dogs, big fluffy companions and every personality you can imagine are all waiting for a chance at a better life. Yet every day, more and more puppies are bred and sold while millions of others sit in pounds, shelters and rescues, are left living on the streets, are carelessly abandoned, or live in fear and neglect. Why? Because people are still buying dogs.
THE MYTH OF RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP THROUGH BUYING
Many people believe that paying a breeder for a dog means they are getting a healthier, better pet and that the price they pay is a reflection of their commitment and value. But the truth is that payment does not equal responsible ownership. It does not guarantee that someone will care for a dog properly or keep them for life. It does not mean the dog will not end up homeless. Often, people who choose to buy a dog are making decisions based on their own ego, preferences and convenience rather than considering the countless animals already in desperate need of a home.
THE TRUTH ABOUT DESIGNER DOGS AND MIXED BREEDS
Take “oodles” as an example. Cavoodles, Labradoodles, Groodles and other made-up mixes are all backyard-bred. These mixes cannot be produced by registered breeders, who are only allowed to breed purebred dogs. If you’re wondering what backyard breeding is, it refers to breeders have no regulatory board to adhere to, no requirement for genetic testing and often no understanding of the health, temperament or welfare needs of the dogs they are breeding. Is backyard breeding bad? Well, these puppies are bred for profit, not welfare, and each time someone purchases one, they are supporting a system that prioritises greed and money over the well-being of animals and fuels an industry that continues to produce more, regardless of the suffering it causes. Because if they really loved looking after dogs, they would just volunteer at a rescue.
WHY PUREBRED DOGS AREN’T ALWAYS THE BETTER OPTION
It is also important to look at the belief that buying a purebred dog is the safer or better option. Many people see owning a pedigree as a badge of honour or a status symbol, but it does not guarantee a dog will be healthy, well-behaved or the right fit for you. Just like children, dogs are individuals, and no piece of paper can predict who they will become. A dog’s personality and needs are shaped by the love, care and environment they receive, not by how much someone paid for them or the promises of a breeder. You cannot buy the perfect dog, and you cannot breed personality, no matter how carefully you plan or how much you spend.
UNDERSTANDING WHY DOGS END UP IN SHELTERS
This is why it is so important to understand that dogs do not end up in rescue because of their own actions. They end up there because humans have failed them. Whether it is a lack of training, changes in lifestyle, moving, inconvenience, laziness, financial hardship, or simply losing interest, the reason a dog ends up abandoned is rarely about the dog and almost always about the human who gave up on them. Every age, size, breed and type of dog or puppy is available for adoption if you are willing to look. Whether you want a tiny lap dog, a playful puppy, or a calm senior, there is a dog waiting in rescue who will perfectly fit your criteria without contributing to the endless cycle of breeding and suffering. There are now so many purebreds ending up in rescue that breed-specific rescues exist just to keep up with the demand. It is no longer just the local shelter down the road taking in strays and surrenders, but hundreds and thousands of rescues dedicated to popular breeds like French Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, Dachshunds, and many more, all overflowing with dogs and puppies in need of homes.
HOW OVERBREEDING FUELS ANIMAL NEGLECT AND SUFFERING
It’s the reason why overbreeding is directly linked to neglect, cruelty and suffering. When breeders and backyard breeders continue to produce puppies to meet demand, they are adding more lives to a cruel world that is already struggling to care for the animals it has. Every new litter means more pressure on pounds, shelters and rescues. More resources, time and money that we just don’t have. More abandoned dogs, more dogs abused because they end up with the wrong owners, more neglect and cruelty, more dogs suffering on the street and struggling to stay alive. While breeders and backyard breeders continue to produce more puppies for profit, countless animals suffer and die simply because there are not enough homes to go around.
WHY ADOPTION IS A RESPONSIBLE AND ETHICAL CHOICE
This is why, when you choose to adopt, rescues will ask you questions. They want to ensure you are ready and able to care for a dog or puppy because they care about the well-being of every animal they rehome. They don’t want to see them back in the same position again. Breeders rarely do the same, making it far too easy for anyone to buy a dog on a whim without understanding the lifelong commitment that comes with it.
BE THE CHANGE. CHOOSE TO ADOPT, NOT SHOP
Choosing to adopt is about more than finding a pet. It is about standing up for animal welfare and being part of the solution. It is about saving a life rather than funding a cycle of suffering and abuse.
The next time you consider bringing a dog or puppy into your life, please choose adoption. They deserve a second chance, and you have the power to give it to them.
We understand the desire to connect with animals, especially while travelling. But how we do that matters.
