I’ve seen several letters to the editor about the new surcharge breeders are going to have to pay when they sell puppies or kittens.

I am not a breeder, but I know how hard it can be. My family and I have fostered animals for shelters and know what it’s like to have litters of kittens. It is rewarding knowing you are saving a life. It’s also hard to let go sometimes. Breeders talk about how they are going to lose money and how it will hurt their business. Maybe that’s the problem, they think of their animals as a business.

Some puppies are priced from $150 to $800. There are other breeds selling for up to $2,500. I know there are a lot of costs, but how can anyone say that they are not making money selling a dog at $800 a piece.

Legal breeders are right. They will be the only ones paying the surcharge. The puppy mills won’t. What makes a good breeder? Someone who cares about doing what is right, doing for the animals as well as themselves. Someone doing it for the love of the breed.

The reason behind the surcharge is a good one, to help stop unwanted litters by helping people to have their animals fixed. Isn’t that what breeders should want?

As for the surcharge, anyone looking for a well-bred dog and spending upward of $800 isn’t going to mind spending an extra $25 to help other animals.

Maurice Collins, Lewiston

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