With every increase in state fees on dog ownership the initial cost of buying a pup has risen exponentially with some rising to the $20,000 mark for trend breeds. Even muts are going for around $500 as pups. In parallel with this has been the rise in costs associated with owning a dog. Vets are now the highest paid in the workforce on graduation; in the past this was dentists.
Every family with children should have a pet dog as this teaches children about responsibility in caring for another living being. Dogs also teach children about love and loyalty and can also be an asset when the chips are down. Pet ownership also gives children/teens lessons when it comes to death and loss.
Pet ownership is already getting beyond many families cost wise and this is detrimental to the development of well rounded, compassionate and loving development in children. Pets are also well proven to add to the health of those who own them. The elderly and singles also gain particular benefit in terms of companionship and a loving bond.
The problem of mistreatment of pets in this country all too often seems to lie with those wishing to profit in the breeding of pups and not with family pets. The only ones who should be considered for a license is breeders, but most of these are no doubt responsible and don't breed indiscriminately, in fact it is already getting harder to find the right pup at the right price, so we are left with a conundrum.
It would seem that the best solution is for greater education concerning pet ownership and breeding together with regular checks on breeding establishments, perhaps at a cost only fee per establishment. Local councils charge high fees to those who choose to keep their pets entire, so they could undertake these checks using staff from local pounds at low cost.
