Pets Without Parents

I'm often asked, "Do pets without parents make the best pets?"

People are obviously referring to orphaned pets or those raised by a commercial breeder, or puppy mill. My answer is routinely, “Of course, not!”

 Any animal should have the experience of interaction with representatives of its species. In fact, there are some behaviors that may be taught or learned only with the parents' help. Like Mowglis, in the Jungle Book, he will never become human in the full sense of this word, so your pet will not be a full representative of its species if humans replace its parents.

Similarly, the Humane Society recommends that you “never buy puppies without seeing where they and their parents are raised and housed with your own eyes.”