I really find it ironic that the Elgin Shelter can bash any kinda breeder whether they are puppymills or backyard breeders. Has anyone ever been to the Elgin Shelter??? Only difference between the shelter and a puppymill is the shelter doesn't breed the dogs!!! Their living conditions leave alot to be desired. 

I don't think it's fair to bash them. I bet no matter the condition as long as they have food and shelter, that it is better than them being on the streets or dead! I applaud them for trying when noone else will take on the job! 

I agree about them helping animals, but why should she bash breeders because they sell puppies when her shelter is actually in violation of USDA laws? Why not just say nothing in reference to breeders? That's stooping in my opinion and kinda makes me mad. I am not a breeder but if it wasn't for a breeder, I wouldn't have my beautiful baby. Afterall, it's not the breeders who have filled up the shelters. It's the irresponsible ppl who buy the puppies. 

WELL SAID!!! I think you are absolutely correct Reality!!! And I don't understand why a breeder and a shelter can't work together for the benefit of ALL animals!!! I have offered the Elgin Shelter my help thru my website and was snobbed at. Who does a breeder know???? ANIMAL PEOPLE, ANIMAL LOVERS 

A breeder invest a lot of money to sell puppies for an extravagant amount of money. A rescue uses their own money plus donations to keep these animals alive, where otherwise would be dead. Even if they are bot to 'code' I'm sure they are doing their best and shouldn't be chastised for having a bog heart. There are plenty of breeders and backyard breeders that are against USDA laws, yet stay open, but just barely. There are 2 side to every scenario and if your going to single out the Elgin shelter, then we should visit the breeders on the site and see how they hold up, I'm sure you will be surprised they may not be so far ahead of the Elgin shelter. 

i dont know about the elgin shelter but there is a breeder that post on here that is the best. Her animals are very well taken care of. My chihuahua came from her and he is the best dog i ever had. If i could have more dogs in the city of lawton i would buy again from her again. 

To have the attitude that it is ok for the shelter to neglect their animals' living conditions because they are giving them away and not profiting on them is ignorance. It shouldn't matter if they "profit" off the animals. Neglect is neglect. If they can't provide for them properly, they shouldn't be doing it. That is what I would assume to be true of any breeder or any pet owner for that fact. There is only one side to this story....If you can't afford to take care of them, why have them? 

This is something that needs to be addressed with the City Of Elgin.. I have watched ver recently a story on the news about how they do not provide a proper shelter for their animals.. The animal control people running it are making do with what they have. They would love to see better facilities but as long as the city of elgin isnt financially making that happen there isnt anything they can do. Same goes for city of geronimo.. another news story on channel 7 very recent.. They have a animal shelter but it is in the middle of town and the animals are all on dirt.. Neighbors complain because of the smell and they say as they are well taken care of the fact is that Cotton Electric had given the city a grant of $5k 4 years ago and the city has not done a dang thing! Not even started on building it! I personally think it is people misusing the funds! These towns do not make it a priority to make a sanitary and safer facility for animals.. 

I also might ad that since the city of geronimo was given this grant that they will no longer be eligible for any other grants until this facility is built. Which sucks because that means any other branch of the city like VOLUNTEER fire depts and police depts are not eligible either and they are not the ones who misused the funds if that is what happened! 

If anyone is intersted, I bet they would be willing to accept help instead of bashing them. Just a thought and a nice jesture(sp) of kindness. Dont know if they can or will, but it might be nice to check with them. 

Oh I bet they would love for someone to come do the work for them. That way they don't have to. Hey sharon, I don't want to get off the computer. Will you come do my dishes? I am willing to accept help instead of criticisim for being lazy. Besides there are plenty of other shelters that run efficiently and effectively without "help". And I sure don't see breeders asking for volunteers, but I'm sure they'd love to have them. I think we all would. 

I didn't mean do the work for them, but help them. If someone is running a shelter they need help. The one on post here gets volunteers. The only way they run efficiently is by man power. People are trying to make a difference in animals lives and keep them alive because there are other people who will want them that can not afford a breeders price. They are doing a service and sometimes that service gets looked upon as a dumping ground and before you know it they get overrun. I wonder how many people have dumped their animals there since they started posting on here. It is so unfair to assume people are lazy or bad people because they try to do something nice and it gets out of hand. Breeders pay people to help them because they can afford to. Shelters cant afford to pay people. Even the on post shelter like I already said with the money and resources the Army may have, still accepts help when they get really full. 

It seems to me that instead of giving away perfectly BREEDABLE animals that they would spay/neuter and then have an adoption fee to cover that plus alittle extra to PAY someone to work there. JUST AN IDEA. 

iam thinking about adopting a dog from this shelter !!! you think it is safe ? already have a dog at home !!! dont want him to get sick ! anybody adopted from there before ? 

Rumor has it they had parvo less than a month ago. Take your risk as with any shelter. Vaccinations are definitely NOT a priority at the Elgin Shelter. I promise go look at it for yourself and ask them how many of those dogs/cats have shots. I guarantee you'll walk away. 

Wow, my husband and I are the dog catchers for Elgin, Cyril and Cement and run the shelters out here, and I'm so surprised to find this on here tonight. We're being bashed and didn't even know it. I've only read to postings so far, and I it's already upsetting. Ok, I didn't bash breeders, that's just simply my opinion. None of you have this job/life and have to try and save & rescue many dogs, day after day. You don't have to pick up dead animals daily, put dogs down because of overcrowding. So, if people don't truly know us or our job, do they really have the right to judge or put down? I think not. We're very nice and animal loving people and do the best we can with what we have to work with. Those who are bashing, sure aren't out here offering to lend a hand, now are they? Many people have donated many things over the years, as well as time, and we are so very grateful for them. The sheltering we have for the dogs is all we can afford, while we wait for Elgin to begin building. Shame on nasty people for putting us down. And, for the nice people standing up for us, thanks from the bottom of our hearts. We're only trying to save dogs & cats, as well as wildlife. About the Parvo gossip, none of you really know the facts about us or what we do, it's all just gossip, and it's really not fair either. Is this high school? We'll just keep trying to save as many as we can, whether people put us down or not. Shelley 

And Brandy, I don't even know you, have never met you, and sure didn't "snob" you. I'm definitely not the kind of person to "snob" someone, actually, I'm quite the opposite. We're overwhelmed out here, and thanks again, for the people who are not putting us down, it's very nice of you. I can't believe how hateful some people are towards us, and they've never even met us or know what kind of people we are. Like I stated before, Elgin doesn't have a pound and has never had one, so we're just working with what we have until they do. I just never imagined people would say such things, and publicly, and not speak to us personally, when all we're trying to do is somehow save the babies, one day at a time. Do the rude people want to donate dog food, leashes, medicines, hay, blankets, etc? No, I didn't think so. Somehow, we have to feed/water and shelter the dogs/cats year round, and we're a family that truly struggle. Thanks to all that support & have supported our efforts. 

You have met me. Or did you forget?. Since you mentioned me personally, what do you call not responding to someone's email?? I was being very sincere and was excited about putting the Elgin Shelter on my website TO HELP YOU OUT. And to not get a response back with the same enthusiasim. RUDE Maybe that's a better word. or maybe I should have said I FELT snobbed at. I felt like you judged me by what I do, rather, than who I am. And I also FELT snobbed at when you borrowed my crate promising to take care of it and it conviniently comes up missing. That was many many many months ago. Haven't heard from you and I still don't have my crate. Even tho I am a breeder, that crate was not free for me. I work very hard for my things same as you. So yes I FEEL snobbed at. Would anyone else call it that?? Thanks, Beth, give Bandit kisses. 

I also want to clarify that in no way am I trying to start drama, but felt the need to elaborate. I'm sure Shelley is a really nice lady and her shelter will be really nice once it's built. Also please don't feel like you have to replace my crate as I have already bought another one. Consider it a "breeders" $50 donation for the cause of saving animals lives. 

Still dont know nothing about the shelter but Brandy is a wonderful breeder. My chihuahua is almost 2 yrs old and we still talk. She would do anything for her dogs even the one she has found homes for. she will go a long way just to get one back if she knows it is not being treated right. Now like i said i dont know about the shelter just what i heard from others hope the city gets off there butts and build the new shelter for the animals soon. 

I agree with you Brandy. Neglect is neglect. I don't know the situation out there so that is all I will say. 

""I really find it ironic that the Elgin Shelter can bash any kinda breeder whether they are puppymills or backyard breeders. Has anyone ever been to the Elgin Shelter??? Only difference between the shelter and a puppymill is the shelter doesn't breed the dogs!!! Their living conditions leave alot to be desired."" THEY PAY FOR EVERYTHING THEMSELVES!!!!! NO ONE HELPS THEM OUT AT ALL!!! WE GOT A ROTT FROM THEM OVER A YEAR AGO & THEY ARE THE MOST WONDERFUL PEOPLE!! THE LAWTON POUND HAS A NICE BUILDING BUT THEY ALSO KILL DOGS!!! THEY DON'T KEEP THEM FOR YEARS & LOVE THEM ENOUGH TO KEEP TRYING TO FIND THEM A HOME!!! THEY JUST KILL THEM!! THE PEOPLE AT THE ELGIN SHELTER ARE CARING PEOPLE & SO FREAKIN WHAT IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE NICEST FACILITY!! AT LEAST THEY GIVE A POOP ABOUT THE ANIMALS!! THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS!! GOD KNOWS IT WOULD BE BETTER ON THEIR FAMILIES & EASIER ON THEM TO NOT WORK THEMSELVES TO DEATH CARING & PROVIDING FOOD FOR THE ANIMALS THAT PEOPLE JUST THREW AWAY!! SORRY IF I MISPELLED OR WHATEVER BUT YOU JUST REALLY MAD ME MAD!!!!! 

& Brandy, chances are she did'nt 'snob' you. She is someone I call my friend & rarely responds to my emails! Prolly because she's SO BUSY w/ the animals. Did you 'bashers' know that it is only her & her husband doing everything!!?? I'm quite positive the lawton 'shelter' has more people than that & they also get paid for it!! 

Breeders and puppymills pay for things all by themselves, but is it ok for them to have a poorly run facilty? Quit being such a hipocrit!! 

And seriously what are they paying for? Shots? NOT The dogs to be fixed? NOT. A nice facility for the dogs to live in? NOT They are paying for cheap a$$ dog food. nothing more. 

Breeders & puppymills also SELL their dogs for a RIDICULOUS price too!! 

Breeders though PAY A LOT.... In lawton 100.00 per dog you have that isn't fixed and 250.00 to have ONE LITTER of pupppies a year Plus 60.00 per set of shots at the vet Plus food cost, plus paper ads, plus paperwork from the kennel club the dogs belong to..... So unlike puppy mills breeder INVEST in there dogs... so the asking prices depending on the breed and kennal club or clubs they belong to isn't so ridiculous 

This is kinda off subject, but not at the same time. You(here) seem to know some about breeders. Can you tell me why some dogs cost so darn much & others dont? Like my friend just bought a Harlequinn Dane. It's registered & it's dad is even a show dog. She paid 1600 for him & he's 7 weeks old. So a 'show quality dog' she is planning on showing him. BUT(here's my question) we have wanted a bulldog for quite some time but they are, in my humble opinion, stupid exspensive! The cheapest we have seen are 2000! Why is there such a huge diffrence in dog prices? Does it just depend on the breeder? 

Breeders do pay for shots/vet trips/c sections/the registry and overall care for their dogs. If the dogs weren't healthy then they couldn't breed. As far as prices, some breeds costs more to raise up. It costs show breeders minimum of $2500 to put one dog thru the show ring. And bulldogs have to be artificially inseminated and a c section to deliver. There's also some breeds who have to have their tails and ears done. There's alot of costs involved in raising dogs. 

She paid because the dad was a show dog and depending on the titles the dad may of had is why he cost so much.... she paid for the quality of breeding Bulldogs(im assuming you mean english) are VERY EXPENCIVE to care for they have breathing troubles, somtimes problems with there joints, and the mothers somtimes require c-sections to deliver there puppies.... also depending on there liniage and kennal club what titles there parents hold and color is what makes them worth a lot..... Also yes some breeders do charge less then others I have seen english bulldogs for as low as 750.00 to 5000.00+.... but also you must remeber what I said before you get what you pay for