Tell Us What You Think

Rehoming a pet is one of the most judged decisions a pet parent can make, and this week Dr. Angie and JoJo are naming that out loud. Both have rehomed animals they loved. Both have watched clients stay in unsafe, unsustainable situations because the shame of asking for help felt worse than the situation itself.

This episode is an honest conversation about when rehoming is the most loving choice, how the stigma around it can actually make outcomes worse for pets, and why matching the right pet to the right person matters from the very beginning.

They also take on the adopt don't shop debate with some nuance: why responsible breeding has a place, what makes a good breeder versus a puppy mill, and why a backyard should not be a requirement to dog adoptions (rescue organizations, they're looking at you).

If you've ever felt shame around a hard pet decision, or wondered whether getting a purebred dog or cat is really wrong, this one's for you.

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Key Takeaways

1. Rehoming is sometimes the most loving decision a pet parent can make, and the shame around it can make outcomes worse for everyone.
2. Fear of judgment can prevent people from reaching out for help, pushing them toward worse options like abandonment or unsafe living situations.
3. Responsible breeders are not the same as puppy mills. Breed selection, when done thoughtfully, can reduce mismatches and surrenders.
4. Rescue organizations sometimes make adoption harder than it needs to be, and their screening criteria don't always reflect what actually makes a good home.
5. According to the AVMA, purebred dogs are not less healthy than mixed breeds.
6. The goal is matching the right pet to the right person. That benefits everyone, including shelter populations.

Sound Bites

"We are pro-responsible breeding. We're pro-rehoming without shame. And we are still pro-rescue." — Dr. Angie

"This is a hill that I will die on: it's okay to get your dog from a breeder." — Dr. Angie

"We would have less rehomed animals if people are selecting breeds that are fit for their family." — JoJo

"I'm a huge fan of rehoming. I've rehomed animals of my own when I realized it wasn't gonna be a fit. And while it was sad, in the end, it was always better for everybody involved." — Dr. Angie

"There is so much shame and so much judgment. And then we find people and pets in really, really dire situations." — JoJo

"Doodles are for sure not healthier. And it's too bad, because standard poodles and poodles are some of the healthiest, best dogs." — Dr. Angie

"You have to be a little selfless. In most situations, most people that are rehoming are not being flippant about their decision." — JoJo

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