I clearly state my intentions and preferences. I do not want to go to the shelter.
Three times, someone has suggested going to the shelter. Three separate people. After each post, I politely stated that I did not want to go to the shelter, that if I wanted to go to a shelter or rescue, I would have gone there, and that I wouldn't be posting if I wanted to get a shelter or rescue animal.
My reasons for not wanting to go the rescue route are my own, I should not be expected to explain them.
Why is it so wrong for me to expect my choice to be respected?
Let's, for a second, change a bit of information.
Instead of looking to add an older cat to my home from Joe Public, let's say I am looking for a free kitten. I still state I do not want to go to the shelter. Is it acceptable then for SuzyQ to go ahead and input their ideals that I should buy from the shelter? Is it acceptable for SuzyQ to have a little rant on me, telling me of all the costs that a kitten will incur in the first year of life? Probably most people are saying yes.
So how about I'm looking for a specific breed of dog, for a specific purpose... I'm looking to buy a border collie to help me herd sheep. My advertisement states that I am looking for a herding dog, to casually work on my small farm, and am looking for recommendations to a working dog breeder. Should I be informed that what I am looking for is in the shelter? Should I be told I am a horrible person because I want this dog for a specific reason and it will have a job? Should I be told that I am in the wrong for buying a dog and not adopting? Most of the animal rights activists are probably nodding their heads, while the more rational people realize that adopting a dog into this situation could be a very bad thing(result in injured/dead sheep, or an injured/dead dog) and that I am highly unlikely to find the pet that suits me in the shelter.
Let's go a little bit more into the fun side of things. Let's say that I have posted looking for recommendations for a rescue to adopt an animal from(any animal, we don't even need to be specific). I ask for good reviews on the rescues, and which rescues are responsible and trustworthy. Would it be fair, or respectable, for someone to come along and plug a breeder? Would it be accepted if someone posted that, instead of looking at rescues, I should be looking at breeders? Would the animal loving public stand for that?
Of course they wouldn't. They would be up in arms, angry at the person suggesting a breeder. Insults would fly, people would be angry, and I'm sure the person suggesting a breeder would be banned from the group.
Why is this, then, okay in the first three scenarios. A person looking to add an older cat to their family without going to the shelter, a person looking for a free kitten, someone looking for a working animal... Why is it okay for these people to be accosted and insulted and "educated"? Why do people think that it is okay to shove their opinion down someone else's throat?
For the same reason they use to justify all the animal rights insanity and terrorism, I suppose.
For the animals.