Stephanie Shain Quotations

We see it with almost every movie that comes out that features a certain type of animal. People see the movie and see wonderful dogs do great things, and really having a strong bond with their people, and it looks perfect. It's a relationship with a pet that anybody would want.

We are concerned that people are caught up in the trend and not doing research on the needs of the breed. History is proof that when people purchase dogs based on looks alone, the animal ultimately ends up being given away to a shelter, adding to the over 4 million homeless dogs already in shelters.

Puppy mills sell their puppies through fancy pet stores, beautiful Internet sites, even newspaper ads.

People need to stop and think. Let the magic of the movie wear off a little before you buy a dog.

They had so many Dalmatians, that they were difficult to place. And you had Dalmatians coming from puppy mills, or breeders that are not reputable breeders -- people just quickly breeding their dog to make a quick buck. Those were not quality dogs.

We applaud films that present the bond between dogs and their people. The downside is that people become so enamored by the character portrayed on screen that they want that dog in their home. They assume the breed is great without examining if it is the right match for their lifestyles.

They see the dogs do funny and interesting things, and the impression is when they get this animal home it will do funny and interesting things in their own home. But these dogs are highly trained, and it might have taken 50 takes to get the dog to do that.

Despite their cuddly appearance, rabbits are fragile creatures who require special care. Too often people buy a rabbit thinking you can put them in a cage and they'll be a great pet, which is completely wrong. Baby bunnies require significant time socializing with people every day outside their cage in order to bond with and enjoy being handled by people.

People are willing to put up with some difficulties with a new puppy, but after a few months of keeping an animal they weren't really prepared for, they can't or won't keep these dogs, which end up in shelters.

Exercise is key. If you can't fill that need, everything else falls apart.