Why doesn't Safehaven buy dogs from auctions

So many rescues buy mill dogs from auctions.  That may be ok for them, but not for us.  There are several reasons we do not.

1.  Dog auctions have been banned in our part of the country.  We could travel to other states, but for what purpose when there are mill dogs right here in our area who NEED rescue.

2.  A little bit about the auctioneers:
Many of the auctioneers that hold dog auctions specify that they will NOT list the old or "unproductive" dogs.  Well, aren't they the ones who need rescue the most?  If Safehaven took in only healthy, young "productive" dogs, we would be abandoning the dogs we started out to save.

3. And most importantly to us. . . We REFUSE to put a dime back into the miller's pockets. Some dogs at auctions go for very little, but the ones in this particular auction sold for no less than $250 each, a few went as high as $500.  By purchasing these dogs, we would be supporting the millers and giving them the financial help to continue. 

With that said, I hope I explained why we will not purchase dogs from the puppy mills or auctions. It may be fine for some rescues but not Safehaven SBR.  Every penny we take in goes directly into the animals care, vetting and keeping them in a safe comfortable environment.

Yes, this is Safehaven... Actual phone conversations

I am usually very serious on this blog, but I thought I could share some of the funny phone calls we get. Not funny at the time, but now, WOW.  Its hard to believe but all of these have actually happened in the last 3 months or so.

Me:  Hello
Is this Safehaven?
Me:  Yes, it is!
I am calling about the cute fluffy pom puppy you have named Spice. I WANT HER!!!
Me:  Ok, first let me tell you that Spice is not a puppy, she is 4 years old.
Oh. . . .Well it says here that she was rescued from a puppy mill.
Me:  Yes that is right.
Well, did they have lots of puppies there?  Where is this puppy mill?  I wanna go buy one!
Me:  *speechless for a moment*
Well, you are NO help *slams phone down*

As if that wasn't bad enough. . . .

Me:  Hello
Yeah I want that Shih Tzu you got.
Me:  Ok, first you need to put in an application. He is scheduled to be neutered on the 12th, at that point he will be micro. . .
*interrupts yelling at me* NOW HOLD ON! I don't want him neutered!!
Me: I'm sorry sir but all dogs must be neutered or spayed before they can leave Safehaven.
*getting irate*  BULL SHIT! I wanna breed him to my neighbors Pekingese!


Oh and this one was good too!

Me: Hello
Hi Safehaven, I want to order a Bichon.
Me:  Excuse me?
I want to order a Bichon.
Me:  Ma'am, we are a rescue, we don't take orders for dogs. We never know what breeds we will be getting in.
Well, you are a puppy mill rescue right?
Me: Yes we are.
Well why don't you just go to the mill and buy me one!  Oh never mind. *hangs up*

Yes these are actual phone calls.  And you wonder why I am so crazy sometimes.

Me: Hello
Hey! Do you ever get puppies?
Me: Not very often and usually the puppies we take in have birth defects or other physicalk disabilities.
Why?
Me:  Because they puppy millers cannot sell the ones who are not perfect.
No I mean why would you want to. Nobody wants a deformed dog, what the hell is wrong with you people!?! *hangs up*

Me:  Hello:
Hi!  Do you ever loan dogs?
Me:  Excuse me?
You know, can I take a dog for 2 weeks or so and then bring him back?
Me: No we normally don't "loan' dogs.  Wwhy would you want to do that?
Well, my girly girl is in heat and I only need a boy for about 2 weeks.
*I hang up*

and last but not least. . .

Me:  Hello
Is this the dog place?
Me:  Yes, this is Safehaven
Have you seen my cat?
Me: Ummmm. . .well, what does your cat look like?
He is about 8 years old and just got his rabies shot yesterday.
Me: Ok, but what does he look like?
Like a regular cat but he is a little fat.
Me: COLOR?
Oh, he is brown.
Me:  Well, I haven't seen him today but I will watch as he may turn up when we feed the feral cats out back.
Ok, he likes food. L:et me know if you see him.
Me: Can I have your name or phone number?
I'm your neighbor 
(we don't have any neighbors)
Me: How can I let you know if we see him?  I need a phone number.
Oh, Ok its XXX-XXXX
Ok, I'll keep an eye out for him.

2 minutes later the phone rings again. . .

Me:  Hello
I found my cat.
Me: Oh thats good, glad he came home
He was under the bed.
*hangs up*

Yep, now you know.  So if you ever call here and I sound a bit gruff, please don't take it personally.  I have probably just got off the phone with one of these people.