New Year Resolution: Help Shelter Animals

Make a change.

Make a difference.

Make a impact.

Make the world a better place.

If you can't adopt, foster.

If you can't foster, sponsor.

If you can't sponsor, volunteer.

If you can't volunteer, donate.

If you can't donate, educate.

Don't say I can't, there is always something you can do.

No excuses.

Do something.

Anything.

Make a change. Be the change.

Spread the word.



Support Your Local Animal Shelters

 Always support your local animal shelters.

Adopt. Donate. Volunteer.

Give a animal shelter a gift it deserves!

This Holiday Season How About Adopting Or Fostering A Less Adoptable Pet

Have room for another pet? How about helping the less fortunate more needy animals. Adopt or foster a pet that is constantly overlooked and been in a shelter for far to long. Open to your heart to a pet that's a little different and needs more love then the average pet. Not only could you learn something new but you be giving a less adoptable pet much love and companionship that they desperately need. Be kind and open your eyes and heart with arms wide open.

Keep Calm And Rescue On Part II

Do Not Ignore Them

Do Not Just Walk Away

Do Not Close Your Eyes Or Look Away

Do Not Keep Your Mouth Shut

Do Not Be Afraid

Pay Attention

Take A Stand

Open Your Eyes

Speak Up. Let Everyone Hear Your Voice.

Be Brave. Be Courageous.

Adopt.

Foster.

Volunteer.

Donate.

Educate.

Spread The Word.

Abused, neglected dogs can be saved. Maybe only one by one.

All it takes is you to make the decision to do so in any way you can.  

Make A New Year's Resolution To Help Homeless Pets

Here is a list of resolutions for helping homeless pets for the New Year and onward:

Adopt a shelter pet or two this year. Don't shop, Adopt.

Foster a shelter pet.

Volunteer more or start volunteering as your local animal shelter/rescue.

Make a monthly donation to your local animal shelter rescue. Donate pet food, pet crates, blankets, pet toys and even money. Anything to make a shelter pet's life better and supporting a animal shelter that cares =)

Take your pet to obedience classes if they have behavior problems or just teach your pup some doggy etiquette. Less likely your dog will end up in the shelter for improper training.

Have a monthly fundraiser for your local animal shelter/rescue.

Start shopping at companies that donate part of their proceeds to animal shelters/rescues/charities.

Be prepared for emergencies such as natural disasters and the such, that includes the safety and well-being of your pet.

Spay and neuter your pets.

Stop animal abuse. If you see, it report it. Animals can't speak up for themselves so please be their voice.

Purchase only products not tested on animals or labeled cruelty-free.

Train your pet to be a therapy animal.

Join an activist group and be a advocate for animals.

Learn something new. Take a course in pet behavior, obedience classes, first aid etc.

Be a better pet owner overall =)

Top Ten 2014 Resolutions For Dog Owners
http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2013/12/2014-resolutions-for-dog-owners/

30 Simple Ways You Can Help At-Risk  Animals In You Community
http://bestfriends.org/News-And-Features/News/Saving-Them-All-is-as-easy-as-1,-2,-30/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=news

Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year! Keep on Truckin'!

Help Stop Pet Overpopulation.

Help Stop Pet Overpopulation.

To Many Animals And Not Nearly Enough Homes =(

What is causing pet overpopulation?

Irresponsible, in-decrepit breeding. (Greedy backyard breeders who see profit and not a life.)

"Accidental" breeding/litters. (No such thing! People are responsible for their pets and are able to make a conscious decision on spaying or neutering their pet as early as 8 weeks of age. )

Choosing not to adopt. (Buying puppy-mill dogs from pet shops or "designer" craigslist dogs instead of adopting one of the many countless homeless animals in shelters is not right.)

Disposable pets. (Moving, can't afford to take care of any more, new baby, not enough time, allergies, behavior problems etc. All things people should of thought about before getting a pet.)


What can you do to stop pet over-population?

Always spay and neuter your pets. (Which can be done as early as 8 weeks and no you do not have to wait till a female dog's first heat cycle that is a myth and a irresponsible lie!)

Always consider adopting first from a registered, legitimate shelter or rescue. Yes there is such a thing as "purebred" dog rescues. (Do not support puppy mills, backyard breeders and puppy flippers!)

Consider all the responsibilities and consequences of pet ownership before deciding to even get a pet and always make that pet a lifetime commitment not something you can throw away or re-home over and over again. ( A pet is a living thing that you decided to be part of your life. A pet is not just a piece of property!)

Educate others about pet overpopulation, adoption and the importance of spaying and neutering. (Spread the word, do your research and get the facts straight so people do not misinterpret.)

Rescue A Shelter Dog

 Always Consider First Adopting A Shelter Dog

There may not be enough homes for all the homeless dogs in the world but even saving one makes a world of difference especially to that one dog's life. 

Always consider adopting first when and if you can.

What to do to Help Shelter Pets During the Holiday Season?

-Adopt a pet from a shelter/rescue.

-Donate pet food and pet items to a shelter/rescue.

-Donate pet food and pet items to a pet food bank.

-Have a fund raiser for a local shelter/rescue...Christmas party anyone?

-Start a secret santa and donate a pet toy to a needy pet.

-Volunteer at a shelter/rescue. Walk or play with a lonely, under-exercised pet.

-Foster a shelter/rescue pet. Maybe even more then one if you got the room and finances.

-Buy items/gifts from companies that donate a percentage of their profits to animal shelters/rescues.

-Donate money to your local animal shelters/rescue.

-Share ideas with your local animal shelter/rescue to make them better and run more effectively.

-Support any sort of charity that donates proceeds to local pet shelters/rescues.

-Take in stray/lost pets to your local shelters. It is better then leaving them on the streets.

-Start a community outreach program to help low-income families that need help with their pets.

-Spread the word and teach people about helping animal shelters/rescues, proper care for their pets and stopping animal abuse.

Do something. Anything is better then nothing.

<3 <3 Thank You. Happy Holidays. <3 <3

What Does it Mean When Your Dog is AKC Registered?

So I happened upon a couple interesting articles.....

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/buying/articles/AKC-registered-puppies.html

http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2013/01/akc-national-championship-puppy-mills-013013.html#.UrEShtJDuSo

Please read before ever even considering buying a AKC registered dog.
Frankly it seems like the AKC only cares about the profits it makes from it's members and could care less how breeders care for their dogs.
All you are going to get from a AKC registered dog is a piece of paper with a number saying the animal  is registered with the AKC. 
Nothing more and nothing less.
Shame on you AKC!
Enough is enough stop covering for these puppy mills!

Please consider adopting a purebred dog or mixed breed dog from a shelter or rescue first!

DON'T SHOP! ADOPT.

Beware of Puppy Flippers and Scammers on Craigslist!

So lately here I have been lurking on the Seattle Craigslist community pets classified ads and have found nonstop comments about puppy flippers and scammers. Unfortunately I have noticed the "trend" as well, personally spotting several ads that are suspicious and obviously not following the craigslist rules.

Craigslist rules specifically state pet sales, sale of animal parts and stud service are prohibited! A small re-homing fee is allowed. The norm for a small re-homing fee is set at $150 or less. Anything more can be and in my opinion is considered a pet sale. In which case I see a lot of re-homing fees placed at $300 and that's for a unpapered, unfixed, unvaccinated puppy  maybe given some OTC de-wormer and no proof of proper veterinary care. That is completely unsafe and unreasonable. You are better off paying a $300 adoption fee to a shelter at least the puppy would be vaccinated, fixed and have a full health check-up. I'm sorry but if you have a litter of puppies and are trying to "find them homes"with a re-homing fee over $150 (or even at that specific amount if your trying to comply with craigslist rules) you can be considered a backyard breeder.

There is no such thing as a "accidental litter". You are responsible for your dog. It is irresponsible to knowingly let your unfixed dog run around in the vicinity of another dog that is not fixed and assume you will find good homes for a unwanted litter or you are just one of those greedy people wanting to make a profit without considering the well-being of each individual puppy . You are simply adding to the overpopulation of homeless animals. There is no excuse that's that.

Now onto more heartbreaking matters. It seems like every where I look I keep hearing stories about people buying puppies off craigslist, taking them home and coming to find out there pup has Parvo or some other life-threatening illness and dying a few days later. I feel for the devastated families whom have to deal with this. I don't blame them I blame the uncaring people whom sold them the dog. These puppies often come from backyard breeders or puppy mill operations whom in which only care about making profits and could care less about the health and well-being of each individual dog.

Here are some tips from PAWS you need to know:

Animals in puppy mills are treated like cash crops

• They are confined to squalid, overcrowded cages with minimal shelter from extreme weather and no choice but to sit and sleep in their own excrement.
• Animals suffer from malnutrition or starvation due to inadequate or unsanitary food and water.
• Sick or dying animals receive little or no veterinary care.
• Adult animals are continuously bred until they can no longer produce, then destroyed or discarded.
• Kittens and puppies are taken from their mothers at such an early age; many suffer from serious behavior problems.

Look for these red flags:

• The seller has many types of purebreds or "designer" hybrid breeds being sold at less than six weeks old.
• Breeders who are reluctant to show potential customers the entire premises on which animals are being bred and kept.
• Breeders who don't ask a lot of questions of potential buyers.
• No guarantees-responsible breeders make a commitment to take back the pet at anytime during the animal's life, no matter the reason.

Help stop the suffering by taking these steps:

1. Be a responsible, informed consumer-if you do buy from a breeder, go to a reputable one who: 
• Will show you where the dogs spend their time and introduces you to the puppy's parents.
• Explains the puppy's medical history, including vaccines, and gives you their veterinarian's contact info.
• Doesn't have puppies available year-round, yet may keep a waiting list for interested people.
• Asks about your family's lifestyle, why you want a dog, and your care and training plans for the puppy.
• Doesn't use pressure sales tactics.

For more information check out: http://www.paws.org/puppy-mills.html

If you even think or question a pet ad is a scam or looks suspicious it more then likely is one. Most scammers take images from the internet and give very little information about the dog they are trying to sale. Never give out any personal information no matter how much you may want a specific animal the scammer is trying to advertise it is a ploy to scam you. Simply ignore and report immediately.

Report all suspected puppy flippers and scammers to Craiglist immediately so the ad can be removed. Simply click the suspected as and then click prohibited or spam.

All and all be careful when buying a pet on Craigslist.  There is always that small chance you get tricked into buying a sick puppy or kitten and regret it later when that puppy dies or you end up spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars in veterinary care. All I can say is you are better off adopting a puppy or kitten at a shelter. Not only will you be saving a life but you will be getting a healthy, spayed/neutered and possibly micro-chipped pet. As the saying goes "DON'T SHOP, ADOPT."

How to Help Homeless Animals During the Holidays

Tis the Season To Be Giving ^_^

Things to do help homeless animals in need during the holidays.

1. Donate to your local shelter. Be it food, pet items, blankets or money. Most shelters have a wish list so look that up and see what the shelter needs the most.

2. Adopt a pet! Instead of buying a expensive puppy from a breeder check out the shelter first.

3. Have a pet food drive or start a pet food bank so there are no hungry pets this season.

4. Help a neighbor in need. Know someone on a fixed low-income that needs help caring for their pet? Give them a helping hand if you can.

5. Volunteer at a shelter and play with the dogs and cats. They sure would appreciate it.

6. Give a gift to a needy pet.

7. Donate online to larger, more extensive pet charities.

8. Buy items where part of the proceeds are donated to pet charities, shelters and rescues.

9. See a stray animal? Pick them up and take them to a no-kill shelter. It's better then leaving them out in the cold and in the streets.

10. Foster a pet. Shelters run out of room and often need foster homes for remaining pets. Also it's good for shelter pets to be in a home atmosphere.