The worst part of this is that we co-evolved with dogs. There's a reason they're so good at reading us (and says a lot about most pet owners when it's plain they can't read their dog even a little). We coevolved because dogs recognised there was a beneficial relationship to be had. Working dogs enjoy their work. Their food is more valuable if 'earned'.
This is what I mean with how it's not about the animals - because they haven't a clue what is good or bad for the animals in question because they don't bother to look.
Brings to mind the IHS show being shut down at Doncaster. For anyone unaware, the International Herpetelogical Society used to have a yearly convention in Doncaster. Some 'animal rights activists' found out, and saw how the animals were kept at the convention stalls and lobbied the council to stop it, as the venue was part owned (or something) with them. In the end they succeeded, and the owners weren't happy either as they were always with the society. All this ignorant of the attention and funds it could bring in each year as well. The problem: reptiles kept in small, secure, transparent containers. Sound familiar? It was too stressful, not natural etc. I'm sure people here know why those containers are used, and why it's actually helpful from both a buyer and seller perspective.
The worst part is that the original venue was Doncaster Racecourse. Its the opinion of many that the council saw an 'easy win' - not tonnes of people in the hobby generally - to get the activists off their back for a bit.
As it is, people (in the UK) should be pushing to remove the loopholes that exist for 'commercial' puppy farms and the like in the existing legislation. In dogs, at least, the 'Adopt don't shop' line is harmful and should be 'Adopt or shop responsibly'. But unless you're in these worlds this stuff goes unknown or actively dismissed and argued against in a way that is reminiscent of a small child sticking their fingers in their ears and screaming "LALALALALALA" at the top of their lungs...
