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No one in rescue that I know has ever said there weren't great dogs in shelters in RI - however even if every single dog was highly adoptable, I don't believe it would meet the demand of families in Rhode Island - our rescue is inundated with applications for dogs - we cannot meet the demand some times. That tells me that people want adoptable dogs at a reasonable cost. But truth be told, we all know that many shelters have a high concentration of bully breeds - we love them - most families are not interested in getting to know how great they are and will not adopt them either due to personal preference, home insurance issues etc.

More importantly, my rescue was contacted by two shelters in Rhode Island who between them at one time had 3 dogs - not adoptable dogs, 3 dogs. One of those shelters assists us by taking dogs from a shelter down south we work with, has them brought here after the vetting is done, they are rechecked by the shelter vet and adopted out - our group funds the vetting and the transport of these dogs to that shelter in trade for quarantine space (that is required in Mass). Thus, the shelter itself get the adoption donations free and clear, thereby helping that particular shelter. How in the world can that be bad? Everyone wins - the citizens of Rhode Island, he taxpayers and most importantly the dogs.

I'm sure "your friend" may have paid $600 for a dog from out of state - what do you think breeder's charge? Rescue dogs come vetted, spayed/neutered and microchipped. We do background checks that people complaint about they are so thorough and home visits - I know of no shelter in RI or any state for that matter that does what we do before handing a dog over. Why does the proposed regulation clearly state that "thoroughbreds" are exempt. Why is that? I think to those of us rescue, that was the part that is hardest to understand - dogs coming from out of state are dogs coming from out of state - why does the differentiation of thorough bred or MUTT need to be made.

It is very sad that some groups feel it's necessary to take away something to get what they want/need- we work very closely with shelters and the RI State Veterinarian Dr. Marshall and his office who would think know much more about canine disease than anyone and if it's a problem in the state. It's not.