1. Be part of the solution. You’ll join a network of hundreds of thousands of people working to make the world safe and more humane for all living creatures. You’ll make the jobs of everyone working for animals a little easier by lending a hand and spreading the message of responsible pet ownership and animal protection.

2. Get warm fuzzies. You’ll never find a more grateful and accepting comrade than an animal you’ve comforted. Who knows, you may find the relationships with these animals far exceeds your expectations of humans. LOL!

3. Keep good company. You’ll make lots of new friends—and not just the four-legged kind. Working side by side with people who share similar interests can forge lifelong friendships.

4. It will help you reinvent yourself. Which is something we should all be a little more comfortable with doing on a regular basis. Meet the new you. You’ll discover skills you never knew you had, and you may be surprised at what you’re capable of achieving.

5. Gain a new career. You’ll learn things that may lead you to the career—or career change—of your dreams. Employers and college admissions officers look favorably on time spent in volunteer service

And last but not least ~ Enjoy a wagging tail, a purr, and a smile. Didn’t someone once say that the best things in life are free?

(The above picture is of STELLA, who is available at the Baldwin Park, CA shelter)

You know the Saying….Adopt, Don’t SHOP! It may be cliche’ but it is oh so true. Below are 5 reasons from the Humane Society of the United States as to why you should adopt!

1. You’ll save a life
Sadly, between 3 and 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year in the United States simply because too many people give up their pets and too few people adopt from shelters. Because there is limited space at shelters, staff members sometimes need to make very hard decisions to euthanize animals who haven’t been adopted.

The number of euthanized animals could be reduced dramatically if more people adopted pets instead of buying them. By adopting from a private humane society or animal shelter, breed rescue group, or the local animal control agency, you’ll help save the lives of two animals—the pet you adopt and a homeless animal somewhere who can be rescued because of space you helped free up.

2. You’ll get a healthy pet
Animal shelters are brimming with happy, healthy animals just waiting for someone to take them home. Most shelters examine and give vaccinations to animals when they arrive, and many spay or neuter them before being adopted. In addition to medical care, more and more shelters also screen animals for specific temperaments and behaviors to make sure each family finds the right pet for its lifestyle.

It is a common misconception that animals end up in shelters because they’ve been abused or done something “wrong”. In fact, most animals are given to shelters because of “people reasons,” not because of anything they’ve done. Things like a divorce, a move, lack of time or financial constraints are among the most common reasons why pets lose their homes.

3. You’ll save money
Adopting a pet from an animal shelter is much less expensive than buying a pet at a pet store or through other sources. In addition, animals from many shelters are already spayed or neutered and vaccinated, which makes the shelter’s fee a real bargain.

4. You’ll feel better
Pets have a way of putting a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Not only do animals give you unconditional love, but they have been shown to be psychologically, emotionally, and physically beneficial. Caring for a companion animal can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment and lessen feelings of loneliness and isolation in all age groups.

Pets can help your physical health as well—just spending time with an animal can help lower a person’s blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and dog walking, pet grooming, and even petting provide increased physical activity that can help strengthen the heart, improve blood circulation, and slow the loss of bone tissue. Put simply, pets aren’t just good friends, they’re also good medicine and can improve a person’s well-being in many ways.

5.You won’t be supporting puppy mills and pet stores
Puppy mills are “factory style” dog-breeding facilities that put profit above the welfare of dogs. Most dogs raised in puppy mills are housed in shockingly poor conditions with improper medical care, and the parents of the puppies are kept in cages to be bred over and over for years, without human companionship and with little hope of ever joining a family. And after they’re no longer profitable, breeding dogs are simply discarded—either killed, abandoned or sold at auction.
Puppy mill puppies are sold to unsuspecting consumers in pet stores, over the Internet and through newspaper classified advertisements to whoever is willing to pay for them.

If you want to feel like you’ve made a real difference as a Pet owner, adopt an animal from a shelter or rescue group. There are few other ways to make such a huge difference in another creature’s life.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates that six to eight million dogs and cats are surrendered to shelters each year. Of those animals, about half are adopted, and half are euthanized. There are simply more dogs than there are good homes for them (one reason why spaying and neutering is so important).

Some people steer clear of shelters or rescues because they believe the dogs there aren’t good dogs. Nothing could be further from the truth.

•While many dogs are surrendered for behavior problems, the vast majority of those problems could have been prevented, and can be treated, with training, attention, and exercise.

•Many dogs are surrendered because of a family’s change in circumstances–a move, financial loss, illness, blending of families–and not because of the dog.

•Some people don’t realize how much time and work puppies, and even adult dogs, require and become fed up with the responsibility.

You can find a good fit for your home by carefully evaluating a shelter dog or puppy and introducing him to every person who lives with you.

Shelters
Shelters house animals available for adoption as well as strays. Usually they’re at least partially funded by the city, but some are completely dependent on private donations.

The quality of shelters varies dramatically, depending on where it’s located. Some shelters provide basic medical care, training, and spay/neutering. Others are more like holding pens than shelters and don’t bother with the kind of care experts believe is essential to a dog’s well-being, like a daily walk.

•The population of available dogs usually changes quickly and regularly.
•At the best shelters, the staff takes notes, and sometimes posts them, on how the dog is doing. Some shelters do extensive tests to gauge a dog’s personality and what sort of home would be the best fit. Many more shelters do not, and you’re on your own. (See choosing a shelter dog or puppy.)
•Some shelters allow people to put a hold on dogs they want to adopt. Before you lose your heart to a dog, make sure someone else doesn’t already have a claim on him.
•Some shelters euthanize animals when overcrowded. No-kill shelters will only accept dogs believed to be adoptable, i.e., those who don’t have aggression or health problems, and tend to be younger.
•If you’re interested in a dog, make sure you ask how much longer he has at the shelter. That is, do you have a long time to make your decision, or is euthanasia scheduled in two days?

Rescue groups
Rescue groups are organizations that take dogs out of shelters and keep them in foster homes, and sometimes private kennels, until homes can be found. Some are breed-specific, while others take all types of dogs. Overall, they tend to give the dogs more medical and behavioral care than many shelters.

•Dogs are happier in foster homes than in shelters so it’s easier to assess his personality.
•You can get a good idea of the dog’s temperament and habits from the foster family, since they live with him.
•The dog is not likely to be euthanized, unless he displays a serious aggression or health issue.
•These groups often have adoption events at public places such as pet supply stores, so you can drop by and meet several dogs. If you’re interested in a specific dog you’ve seen on the group’s website, you can ask for that dog to be brought to the event.
What to think about before you adopt
Shelters can be heartbreaking places to visit–crowded, chaotic, and full of sad, adorable faces. The more prepared you are emotionally for what you’ll see at the shelter, the less likely you are to lose your heart to a dog you feel sorry for rather than to a dog who’s a good match for you.

Before you go to the shelter, have an idea of what you want to do with this dog–jog, play with children, take long walks, visit nursing homes, compete in organized sports, or hang out on the couch. When you’re looking at dogs, remember those traits and keep your head about you. You’re protecting the dog you’ll eventually adopt, as well as your own heart.

If you find shelters too disturbing to visit, go to an adoption event instead. They’re often held at pet stores or farmer’s markets, and since they feel like field trips for the dogs, they’re generally less depressing.

What to know about services and fees
No federal agency oversees shelters or rescue groups. Some people assume that the HSUS takes care of these things, but it’s a nonprofit animal protection agency and has no legal authority. This means that shelters vary significantly in their levels of quality, animal care, and medical services.

A responsible and well-funded organization, whether it’s a shelter or rescue group, will make sure the dog is spayed or neutered, current with vaccinations, and has been treated for any necessary health care issues before he’s allowed to go out the door with you. (This by no means is the way every shelter operates.)

Organizations that operate this way pick up the cost of spaying or neutering, vaccines, and medical treatment and appreciate additional donations if the dog required significant medical care. (Or even if he didn’t–they always need more money.) Your adoption fee for a healthy dog helps cover expenses for dogs needing more care.

The adoption process
Each organization has its own adoption process and forms, but the basics are similar. The best and most responsible among them do their best to see that you provide a good home. So don’t be surprised if a humane shelter or rescue group is as rigorous in assessing you as you are in checking out the dogs.

•Select the dog(s) you’d like to meet on the website, at a public event, or during a visit to the shelter.
•Bring proof of home ownership or proof of landlord approval for pets.
•Meet with an adoption counselor.
•Meet the dogs.
•Fall in love.
•Ask for a cat test if you have a cat or plan to have one living with the dog.
•All people, and sometimes pets, who live in the home will meet the dog in question, cutting down on the risk you’ll want to return the dog.
•Pay the adoption fee and sign papers.
•Wait whatever period of time the organization requires, and then bring a leash, and a good home, to your new best friend.

(repost from www.dogtime.com)

I know I’ve posted before about Petland, but I just can’t let this go. We must do EVERYTHING we can to stop puppy mills and stop people from buying from Pet Stores NAMELY PETLAND!! When they continue to assure your customers verbally and on your website that you purchase from reputable breeders and you are continually caught purchasing from puppy mills (via HSUS) what does that say? I can’t emphasize enough the terrible treatment dogs (mothers, father’s and puppies) receive in puppy mills, it is inhumane! Please pass this on to EVERYONE…it can be stopped, and every ONE PERSON, they make a difference.

Jezibelle was rescued from a puppy mill! She is now loved, has a family and is safe!

So, you’ve decided to get a dog, CONGRATS!  You have checked your shelters and rescues FIRST because you are a animal lover and know that’s where you should start.  But, you’ve decided on a certain breed that you cannot find elsewhere, so your going to a breeder.   I don’t condone breeders, as long as they are reputable.  But how do you know?  There are things you can do before you buy.  Here is a link from the Humane Society of the United States where you can download a checklist to take with you  when you visit a breeder: http://tinyurl.com/yu828v.  This list ranges from making sure the breeders dogs live in their home as a part of their family, not outside in dog runs.  That they have a strong relationship with veterinarian and have records of visits for the puppies.  Provides references from other people who have purchased puppies.  It is so important that you check these things out before you purchase.  If your breeder does not live up to the checklist…walk away!  And if you see things that are unacceptable, please notify your local animal shelter/service or contact www.hsus.org.  A reputable breeder will NEVER sell its dogs through a pet store or any other way that doesn’t allow the dog to have a happy and healthy home for it’s life! 

According to the HSUS, one in every four dogs in the shelter is a purebred.  So please, check your local shelter, rescues or www.petfinder.com first.  An animal is a part of your family, so research, be prepared and take responsibility before you purchase or adopt.