Relay Shipping is cruel and dangerous - Page 1

Apparently some on this forum have started or promoted the mistaken, cruel, and dangerous idea of relay shipping of dogs and puppies.  The idea is that the buyer and seller or whomever is sending and receiving a dog or puppy will meet the other person at some point other than the dog's current home or at the dog's soon to be new home.  I have run into this idiotic idea more than a few times and I find it absolutely stupid and mean to the dog.  I did something akin to this practice just once due to bad weather and I will never do it again because it is patently unfair to the dog and it is dangerous and totally reckless on the part of a buyer or seller.  If someone buys a dog or puppy it is their responsibility to arrange shipping and that shipping must meet the sellers requirements.  In effect, show up in person at the kennel and pick the dog up from the seller or have the seller ship the dog by a method both safe and as fast as possible to the new owner.  I have flown with dogs on international flights and shipped them within the USA and I have seen what airlines and shippers are capable of doing to animals in crates so I am not a fan of air shipping.  The safety and security of the animal and the mental and physical cruelty inflicted which can be avoided is always paramount in my shipping decisions.  For just one moment please consider the dog and how being transported from what is home to a Walmart parking lot in the middle of strange and unknown territory .. removed from his owners care, put in a new crate or car and then carted off to a new location must feel.  Then there is the exchange itself which with an older dog could result in a disaster if the dog escapes or gets loose while making the exchange.  The dog has no point of reference and is likely to head home on foot which is probably more miles and encounters with cars than the dog can survive.  Taking the dog to a new location is traumatic enough without adding more drama and danger to the equation with a Walmart parking lot kidnapping which is how the dog sees relay shipping.  The reason for this practice seems to be a weak and selfish attempt by buyers to shift the cost of shipping on to the seller.  When I have purchased a dog or puppy I have always picked up my dogs and puppies in person and traveled with them from their old home to their new home.  Seller to buyer direct shipping is the other less desirable shipping method that I will consider. Even then a direct ship by animal transport or air is preferable to some sort of relay or handoff.  Anyone suggesting that another person ( unknown to me ) not the buyer will pick up the dog or puppy at it's home and then through some underground railroad of handoffs the animal will be transported to them will not be tolerated.  My dogs are family and if buyers want to traumatize my puppies or dogs for the sake of a few dollars and their convenience then my dogs aren't for them. This relay shipping hocus pocus is certainly not in the best interest of the dog or puppy in any shape, form or fashion if for one second you consider anything other than money and my dogs don't have bank accounts or pockets to keep money in.

I can see how this might be of concern for dogs with weak temperament.

Not to mention that you are slamming how a lot of dogs lives are saved by the rescue organizations in getting these dogs to new forever homes and out of high kill shelters.

You might not like it, but you don't get to decide for everyone. 

My humble opinion is that dying would be a much higher stress level on the dog than being by transported by someone who cares enough to donate their time and gas to travel a dog (or cat) part of the distance to their new home. 

If there are temperament issues with relay shipping to save money it is with the buyer not the dog.  If kill shelters want to ship dogs via UPS or Amazon that is beyond my control.  I am not allowing cheap shipping or cheap anything else to dictate my dog's living or shipping conditions.

That's well within your rights. 

Just don't call others cruel and dangerous, esp when many of them are doing it to save the life of an animal.

Relay shipping is both cruel and dangerous to the dog and it may be dangerous to the buyer or receiver of the dog as well when compared to the better alternatives.  Saving a dog's life potentially or saving money on shipping does not alter that fact that better options exist.  The dog needs a fair chance to acclimate and process his or her new surroundings.  Possession does not constitute ownership or dominance in the case of some of these Czech dogs.  Any person not willing to work with these dogs and give them some time and space to reach a resolution regarding the new surroundings and leadership situation may need good medical coverage.  It takes some time for Stockholm syndrome to kick in on these Czech dogs.  It is not only my right but my obligation to do what is best for my dogs and when anyone buys or is given one it becomes their obligation as well.

Opinions are like... well you get the point.

If the admins wish to join this discussion all the merrier.  If there is a beneficial aspect to relay shipping that I have failed to acknowledge please point it out.  As far as I can see it is about saving money and for those in the dog breeding or GSD breeding and training field we all know that money or profit is not the motive to be in this activity.  

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just imported a year old dog straight out of the Czech Republic.  Opened the crate and Wa La, no hospital bills at all.

Geeezzz they are dogs,not velociraptors.

Well when you do nothing with your dogs you have to do something to sound relevant.