| When you go into a shelter, I'm sure you've | | | | runs dry. When purchasing a puppy, either adopt |
| noticed that they are usually full of dogs. The | | | | them from a shelter, rescue or a reputable |
| actual statistics on how many dogs die each year | | | | breeder. How do you know they are reputable? |
| in the shelters vary, but I think I'd be safe to say | | | | They allow you to come to their kennel and meet |
| that at least 60% that go in, don't come out. I | | | | BOTH parents. They care about the breed and |
| thought that I would explain why this issue is so | | | | they care about YOU. They should ask you a |
| important and what we can all do to help save | | | | variety of questions to ensure their puppies are |
| the dogs in our country from becoming another | | | | going to a good home. You should feel as though |
| shelter statistic. | | | | you are going through a serious inquiry. This |
| Puppy Mills and Backyard Breeders are one of the | | | | means they care. |
| main causes of dog overpopulation. They breed | | | | 2. Always have your dogs altered at six months |
| dogs as a commodity, not caring about the health | | | | of age. They will be healthier, less hormonal and |
| and welfare of their breeding stock, or the | | | | thus, easier to handle, and they will not have |
| puppies they produce. These dogs usually are sold | | | | puppies and contribute to the problem. |
| in Pet Stores as pure breed or designer breed | | | | 3. Consider adopting an older dog from the |
| dogs. They are sold at a premium price and | | | | shelter. People tell me all the time that they want |
| oftentimes are sick and their temperaments are | | | | a puppy so it will bond with them and so they can |
| suspect and usually end up in shelters and rescues | | | | ensure they grow up well socialized with good |
| with serious illness or behavior problems. | | | | manners. These assumptions are INCORRECT. An |
| People who allow their dogs to remain unaltered | | | | older dog may have some "bad habits", but most |
| are also a main cause of dog overpopulation. The | | | | can be alleviated with a good dog behaviorist and |
| resulting puppies are almost always mixed bred | | | | a couple of months; while a puppy will take over |
| who are sold in newspapers and grocery store | | | | a YEAR to raise. All dogs require time and |
| parking lots. The people who sell their puppies this | | | | effort....why not give that time to a dog that will |
| way have no way of knowing where these | | | | otherwise be put down? |
| puppies are going and most will end up in the | | | | 4. And last, but not least, THINK before you get |
| shelters due to a variety of reasons. | | | | a dog. Consider all the things that go with owning |
| People who don't think through the process of | | | | a dog and make sure you are prepared for it. Do |
| getting a puppy or adult dog also contribute to | | | | you have the money, the space, the time to |
| the dog overpopulation problem. These are the | | | | devote to another living thing in your house? And |
| ones who end up getting rid of their dog several | | | | make sure you choose the RIGHT dog for you. |
| months or sometimes years later, because; the | | | | This will eliminate the dog from being brought to a |
| dog got too big, the dog needs too much | | | | shelter or rescue when it's discovered that dogs |
| attention, the dog needs too much exercise, or | | | | need all of the above to be happy. |
| the dog doesn't get along with the new baby. | | | | Owning a dog is one of the most wonderful things |
| The solution to this problem is simple. | | | | in the world. EVERYONE should know the love of |
| | | | a dog. Please make sure you are informed when |
| 1. Don't buy puppies from puppy mills, backyard | | | | you decide you are ready to add more love to |
| breeders, Pet Stores or grocery parking lots. | | | | your family and help us who advocate for the |
| Cutting off those that supply sick puppies or dogs | | | | dogs to keep them out of shelters and rescue |
| breed purely for money will force them to get | | | | and keep them in the home; where they belong. |
| into a different business as soon as the money | | | | |