SHELTER FACTS:
-There are approximately 6000 animal shelters in the USA alone. Many die in gas chambers. Read about these 2 newspaper stories, many are puppies and pure breeds, just 'surplus' or puppy mill rejects. Look at these sad and beautiful faces that were not wanted. How could you buy while these gorgeous animals die? Click here and see what happens to animals that were pets- no longer wanted, not adopted and dumped at shelters.
Also please visit our LOOK INSIDE A SHELTER page.
-Only 12% of cat owners and 18% of dog owners got their animal from a shelter
-At many shelters 25%-30% of dogs are PUREBRED . Thinking about buying a dog? Read here about PUPPY MILLS and learn the truth about what is going on.
If you really love animals - then ADOPT! Want a specific breed? Look online for a PURE BREED RESCUES! Remember for every dog bought one will die in a shelter. Also it could be to your benefit to adopt through a rescue. You have peace of mind that if it doesn't work out at anytime, they always take back the animal and it will not be put down!
Some of our favorite rescue groups and shelters to adopt from (please note some groups transport out of state so if you see an animal you like and it's not near you - it's still possible to have it transported to you
email us for more info on how to adopt or find the right dog for you!
Petfinder
Lists of Pure Breed Rescues (also has a listing for mixed breeds)
The Battersea Dog Home (cat and dog adoption in the UK)
NEW YORK DOGS IN DANGER
NYCACC
More about Puppy mills and why ALL STORES SELLING PETS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH MILLS OR BACKYARD BREEDERS:
All stores that sell dogs are participants in this. No reputable breeder ever sells their animals to a store. Oprah recently did a show on this too. Even if the store is very upmarket In a wealthy neighborhood with women who look like they work at Tiffany’s selling the pups – THIS IS A MILL FRONT! PLEASE DO NOT BUY!
More on Puppy Mills:
Heartbreaking Connection Between Pet Stores and Puppy Mills
By Jo Singer | May 24, 2010 10:10 AM
Many of us think that there is hardly anything more appealing and alluring than the soulful eyes of the cute little puppies staring out from the pet store display window. We can be riveted to these darling babies as we enjoy watching them play with apparent abandon, showing off their high energy, intelligence and fetching antics. After all, they would instantly melt the heart of any animal lover.
We may pause for awhile to "awww" and "ahhh" and even if we are not be in the market for a new puppy, these little canines who scratch at the window, beckoning us to play with them have already cast a spell upon us. It is very easy to rationalize that when all is said and done it is certainly no "accident" that we were chosen to take one of them home. Out comes the wallet and voila, another pet store puppy is sold.
Many of us also may think that we have "rescued" a needy puppy in desperate need of a loving home. And while there is some truth to that assumption, at the same time, in the majority of cases we have simply supported a back-yard breeder or much worse, a puppy mill breeder or Internet outlet, whose only interest is making a quick profit by selling their stock to pet stores in huge numbers.
So, in an effort to educate the public about this thriving business, on May 17, Animal Planet premiered the second in a series of investigative specials, "Animal Planet Investigates: Petland" The program featured the tireless work that the Humane Society of the United States is doing to help eliminate puppy mills.
The program demonstrated the dark and heartbreaking connection between pet stores and puppy mills, exposing the deceit made to unknowing consumers when they purchase puppies from pet stores, and also through the Internet. Sadly, many of these puppies are not at all healthy; some even die after days or weeks of purchase.
What is most alarming is that it is estimated that in the United States there are approximately 10,000 puppy mill facilities operating today. This means that there are hundreds of thousands dogs bred in conditions that are completely appalling. These unfortunate dogs receive little or no human attention, exercise or veterinary care and are often kept in tiny wire cages trapped in their own filth. Many of them are even unable to walk properly when removed from their cage and placed on solid ground. The only concern of the puppy mill breeders is the bottom line profit they can make at the expense of the health, safety and disposition of their "product".
And while The HSUS has rescued over 5,000 puppy mill dogs over the past two years and 13 states have already passed legislation to regulate these distressing facilities, there remains much more that must be done to once- and- for- all completely abolish all puppy mill operations.
A recent AP-Petside.com poll showed that people are beginning to become more educated about the conditions of puppies sold in pet stores. However, much of the public remains clueless about the plight of pet store puppies and kittens. They fall in love with the little ones that adorn pet store windows. Watch this short video snippet titled, "Meringue Dancing Dogs", which clearly demonstrates just how naive people can be, thinking this behavior as ever so cute. This "dancing" in reality can easily be compared to prison "psychosis".
THE DOGS PRAYER
Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more
grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand
between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly
teach me the things you would have me do.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music,
as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your
footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a
domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements.
And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your
feet beside the hearth.
Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and
snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all
the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach
you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do
your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able
to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.
And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of
my health or sight, do not turn me away from you.
Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the
merciful boon of eternal rest -- and I will leave you knowing with the
last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.
-Beth Norman Harris-
My dog is Love
Dedicated to my service dog Kujjo who died June 3, 2002
God is love
Love is God
To show his love
He sent us Dogs
For here we all are
In search of true love
To find who we are
And learn unconditional love
My dog is love
Love is my dog
For he always loves
As he is from God
For God loves us all
And to help us learn love
He sent us his angels
Dogs, with unconditional love
Armand Emery Brun