The “Rescue” Lie: Buyers, Sellers, and Fake Adoptions | Pet Parent Power-Up

Just because someone calls it an adoption doesn't mean a pet is being rescued. Some puppy mills, kitten mills, irresponsible backyard breeders, and other pet sellers use words like "rescue," "rehoming," and "adoption fee" to make selling dogs and cats sound like saving them. Some buyers even knowingly play along, claiming they've rescued pets they actually purchased. In this month's Pet Parent Power-Up, Amy Castro takes on both sides of the problem: sellers who disguise pet sales as adoptions and buyers who misrepresent where their pets came from. Drawing on her years of experience founding and running an animal rescue, Amy explains why misusing rescue language is more than misleading. It undermines legitimate rescue efforts and can help keep unethical breeding operations in business. But not everyone is knowingly participating. Some people genuinely want to rescue a dog or cat and are deceived by convincing stories and misleading advertisements. Amy shares practical ways to investigate who's behind a pet listing, recognize warning signs, and avoid supporting the very practices you're trying to prevent. In this episode: Why some breeders and sellers disguise pet sales as rescue adoptions What puppy laundering is and how it exploits people's desire to help animals Why buyers share responsibility for supporting unethical breeding practices The difference between responsible breeders and irresponsible operations Five things to investigate before adopting or purchasing a pet Why trying to "save" a pet by buying it from a bad situation can perpetuate the problem Whether you're considering adoption, purchasing from a responsible breeder, or helping someone else find a pet, this episode challenges you to look beyond the labels, ask questions, and make informed decisions. Because calling it a rescue or saying you adopted doesn't make it true. Learn more at petparenthotline.com. Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify The Pet Parent Hotline covers real-world dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, veterinary decisions, pet-care costs, aging pets, and everyday life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: [email protected] ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro