If there were no shelters, if people were required to euthanize their own unwanted dogs...?

"Does the existence of so many shelters and rescues enable people to get dogs they aren't prepared to care for?"

Yes. BUT...do you really want to see all those healthy dogs put down with no effort made to find them homes? And you'd have to also pass a law that all dogs had to be tattooed or microchipped, because otherwise a whole lot would just be dumped in the county or left on the street to fend for themselves.

I don't think this is the answer.

You got a lot of heartless ppl in the world tht doesn't give two u know what's about animals or there own animal. I don't think its right for all these dogs to be in shelters. But there would be ppl Tht would kill them or just set them free. But then all shelters do home checks on some dogs and if u have one thing wrong with your yard or home u will not be getting a dog. I personally think shelters would rather put the dog down before tryimg to get it a home.

Nope. they'd just dump them out in the boonies more than they already do.

Of course they do BUT its better than living as many people do where there are no shelters and there are tons of feral dog packs running around that are a near constant threat.

They would let the animal "escape"

you know how many times I have witnessed people dumping animals? Not nicely either, they just slow down in their car, roll down the window and chuck it out. These people don't care if the animal lives, finds a home, becomes food for a coyote, etc. They just don't. If they could, some of them would shoot the animal themselves.

I have met dog owners and breeders who would have no difficulty in putting ANY dog down. There are more people out there like that than most would like to admit.