“It’s not our job to play judge and jury, to determine who is worthy of our kindness and who is not. We just need to be kind, unconditionally and without ulterior motive, even – or rather, especially – when we’d prefer not to be.” – Josh Radnor
Unless you intentionally avoid reading the newswires or looking at animal rescue related articles on Facebook, I’m sure you’ve seen the story from the reporter in the Washington Post about animal rescuers saving dogs by buying them at breeder auctions.
Not surprisingly, this article has sparked quite the conversation and controversy both for and against the actions highlighted in the article. Some say the facts are wrong, others say the reporter did not dig deep enough to show what’s going on. The premise is that animal rescuers are buying breeding dogs so that they can spay and neuter them and save them from a life of breeding. Just the thought of this seems to have ruffled some people’s feathers because they believe these people are funding the breeders by purchasing the animals and putting money in the breeder’s pockets.
In the world of animal rescue there are always arguments, disagreements and mis-alignments on the best and most effective way to save animals. Some argue you should only rescue from your local animal shelter and not out of state. Others say you should only focus on one breed of dog. While others cry foul when they hear about rat and snake rescues. 
Whether you believe the animal rescuers in this article are funding the breeders to sell more animals by bidding at the auctions, or maybe you cry foul that they are duping donors by saying their rescue is rescuing these dogs, I want to challenge you to focus on the intent. The intent of the people conducting these activities is to help animals live positive, healthy lives. Why would you judge negatively someone that has a positive intent?
I support those who help animals. If the method of outbidding breeders at auctions works for these rescuers and organizations then I applaud them and encourage them to continue doing what they believe is the right thing. Who are you to judge?
