Animals and Pets

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Atypical starter pet? (slrpnk.net)

submitted 3 months ago by Track_Shovel@slrpnk.net to c/animals

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My boy is 6, and has been gassing for a pet for a long time. We want to get him something, but our parameters are pretty narrow:

Can't be a cat or dog (allergies)
No rodents/mustelids (wife: ew)
No snakes (wife: ew)
No birds (wife: ew)
No Arthropods (Wife: ew)

Reptiles/frogs/amphibians are ok in our books.

Ideally, I would like something he could physically handle on occasion but that's not a deal breaker.

Fish are cool, but kind of boring to a 6 year old maybe.

Crabs are cool, but seem kind of cryptic.

Would be amazing if it didn't break the bank and was somewhat easy to care for

Thoughts appreciated if you have any.

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[–] autumn 5 points 3 months ago

definitely do not buy a mixed breed dog. rescuing one is totally legit, though! or find a poodle or bichon through a reputable breeder if you want to go that route. some breeders have young adult dogs (2-3 years old) that are done with the show ring and ready for pet homes. if you go through a reputable breeder, they will always take the dog back if it doesn't work out. if you go through a rescue, the same applies. some even have trial periods (the rescue i help out with does two weeks).

why you shouldn't buy a mixed breed dog

there is no such thing as an ethically-bred mixed breed dog. dogs are bred to perform specific tasks, and anybody making more dogs without that in mind is only doing them a disservice, as we have a huge overpopulation problem. i volunteer for a border collie rescue, and we consistently find more dogs than we can actually help out.