Hosts Jenny Nordin and Ashlyn Kauh aren’t here to preach “Adopt Don’t Shop”—but they are here to urge you to adopt or shop responsibly. After spilling the tea in a previous episode on what makes a “good” rescue, this week they tackle how to identify a responsible breeder (spoiler: it’s not your neighbor Linda with Golden Retriever puppies). From red flags to Merle micro Frenchie madness, they break down what ethical breeding really looks like—and why it matters.

Jenny recounts a chaotic (and hilarious) tale of a new foster dog who pulled off not one but two escapes, and this week’s Saving Shelter Strays intake is a powerful reminder of the importance - and transformation - of decompression.

“Not Your 9 to 5” channels its inner detective, applying a little Occam’s razor to unexpected puppy health mysteries, and in the Questions segment, you’ll meet four amazing dogs that somehow still haven’t found their people.

POD MENTIONS:

2.3: WA State Takes on Puppyland While We Take on Parvo Puppies [DGS Podcast]
Baskerville Muzzle
VEG ER for Pets
FOUR LEAF ROVER Yeast Guard [Amazon]
HERBSMITH Microflora Plus [Chewy]
FIRSTMATE Grain Friendly Fish [Chewy]
15: The Doodle Craze - A Rescue Take (Please Just Stop) [DGS Podcast]
Panosteitis: Growing Pains in Dogs [Veterinary Partner]
Rickets in Dogs [The Vet Expert]
2.22: Toni ‘Clipboard’ Crane - The Heartbeat of Puppy Rescue and Chosen Family [DGS Podcast]
Coccidia Infects Intestines of Cats and Dogs [Veterinary Partner]
OFA Database
2.19: Seven Hallmarks of a “Good” Rescue (in Our Not So Humble Opinion) [DGS Podcast]

PARTNER MENTIONS
Shelter Transport Animal Rescue Team (START)
Saving Shelter Strays
Caddo Parish Animal Services
The Good Dog Way
Animal Advocacy & Rescue Coalition (AARC Del Rio)
Moreno Valley Animal Services
Crossroads Vet
Forever Home Dog Rescue
Stanislaus Modesto Animal Services

ADOPTABLE DOG MENTIONS
Copper
Jazzmin
Apollo
Walter
Taylor
Sherbert
Dash
Buddy
Eren

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Chapters

00:00 2.24: Seven Hallmarks of a "Good" Breeder (TMKY to Adopt or Shop Responsibly)

03:27 Recent intakes of some very nervous dogs

14:57 Gracie escapes FML

27:38 2.23 Follow Up Gracie and Rico

30:08 Copper Jazzmin Apollo and Walter updates

33:07 Sabrina the last of Taylor's puppies adopted

36:09 Not Your 9 to 5 - Chloe has Pano?

40:03 Not Your 9 to 5 - Sherbert has Coccidia?

43:10 Main Topic: How to Identify a Reputable Breeder

46:31 1. Thorough health testing of breeding stock

48:12 2. Well researched purposefully bred pedigrees

49:45 3. Responsible breeding and animal husbandry

51:08 4. Thoughtful placement in appropriate homes

52:23 5. Breeding stock are proven dogs

53:32 6. Solid purchase contracts in place

56:53 7. Breeding within the standard

59:17 Red Flags (breeders to avoid)

01:01:31 First litter of Border Collies from new breeder (example of costs)

01:08:49 Shit List: Greg (South Sound Garage Repair)

01:12:30 Question: Really Good Adoptable Long Stays (Dash, Alexander, Buddy, Eren)

01:18:51 Behind the Scenes