The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Homeless Animals The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Homeless Animals
Showing posts with label Homeless Animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Homeless Animals. Show all posts

Sunday, August 15, 2021

Be Careful! That Cute Puppy that You See in the Store or Online...May be Coming from a Puppy Mill!



So you've decided to get a puppy? If you are thinking about getting one from a pet store or on-line, please be careful. That cute puppy most likely came from a puppy mill.

Definition of a puppy mill:

A puppy mill, sometimes known as a puppy farm, is a commercial dog breeding facility that is operated with an emphasis upon profits above animal welfare and is often in substandard conditions regarding the well-being of dogs in their care. Similar types of operations exist for other animals most commonly kept as pets or used as feed for other animals. The term can be applied to operations involving other animals commercially bred for profit, e.g. "kitty mills." There are an estimated 4,000 puppy mills in the U.S. that produce more than half a million puppies a year. Commercial kennels may be licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture which may inspect the kennels routinely.

Please take a look at the video below:



Ready to take the pledge? Click on the button below to take the pledge!



Please share, and remember "Adoption is an Option!"

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Monday, November 5, 2018

Black Cats - Do They Get a Bad Rap?


Meet Razzy, this is my brother’s second black cat. Razzy was found near his home in South Carolina, and he and his wife took her in when she was just a kitten, she is now about 4 years old. He also had an all black cat named Blackjack that lived for 18 years. Razzy has a 3-year-old yorkie bother named Tiki…and they get along just find.

I have been around both cats, and found them to be the sweetest cats! My sister once had a calico that hid all of the time. Both of his cats would come out to greet you and rub up on your leg.

I think that movies, superstitions and old folklore has caused the scare in people not wanting black cats. One of the prevalent black cat superstition alive in our western culture today, is if a black cat crosses your path, it is considered bad luck. Interestingly, in most other cultures, the black cat is a prized possession and owning one is said to bring the owner good luck.

Did you know that in England the white cat is considered unlucky, the black bought  good fortune?

I have heard these sayings as a child, but as an adult, I realized they were not true.

Lucky 7 reasons to adopt a black cat:
  • You will truly save a life
  • They will love you unconditionally forever
  • When you love a black cat, luck is on your side
  • Their coat shimmers & their eyes will mesmerize you
  • They don’t care what you look like!
  • Holding a black cat is slimming
  • Black cats will match any decor
Good luck associated with black cats include:
  • Possessing a black cat.Having a black cat greet you at a door
  • Having a black cat enter your home.
  • Meeting three black cats in succession 
  • Touching a black cat.
Do cats really have 9 lives?

I don't think that cats have nine lives, that's just a metaphor. Cats seem to be able to pull themselves out of dangerous situations more than anything else. Example, landing on their feet. If something were to happen to your cat that it couldn't get out of, it would die the same as anything else would.

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Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Meet Beyoncé: The "World's Tiniest Dog"


The world's smallest puppy named after one of the world's biggest pop stars, Beyoncé, was so tiny at birth she could fit on a spoon.

The female Dachshund mix dog weighed just one ounce when she was born.

Animal rescuers in California say that she still remains so small that she can easily fit on an iPhone while she is the same size as a business card or credit card.

Experts say she is now likely to set a new record for being the world's tiniest dog. She is not yet officially the title holder but a "fast-track" application has been submitted to the Guinness World Records.

But a dog rescue centre in El Dorado Hills, California, has now been inundated with requests to adopt the little animal.

Beyoncé was the runt of a litter of five that was born to an abandoned dachshund mix, named Casey. Their mother was too heavily pregnant to have a termination and was scheduled to be put down.

But vets intervened and looked after the dog until she gave birth a fortnight ago.
When Beyoncé was delivered, vets were convinced she was still born. She was the last one delivered and was born without a heartbeat.

Dr Michael Russell, the Grace Foundation's vet, then attempted to give her heart compressions but she still wasn't breathing.


Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was then given by assistant Beth DeCaprio. She said: "It was actually a little funny, and gross, trying to get my mouth around hers, but after a couple of really small breaths she took a deep breath and started to really move around.

"We cleaned out her little nasal passages, and I gave her a couple more breaths and then she started breathing on her own. She is just a remarkable little survivor.

"Our hope is that Beyoncé and her miraculous story of survival helps spread awareness about the plight of rescue dogs."

Beyoncé is still smaller than the rest of her siblings but she's grown to 124g and is said to be thriving. She is expected to weigh less than 1kg when fully grown.






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Monday, September 17, 2018

How To Help Animals Affected By Florence


While many families were able to evacuate safely with their pets, many were left behind in their homes or at animal shelters.

Florence was downgraded to a tropical storm late Friday, but heavy rains and life-threatening flooding are still drenching the Carolinas. Florence hasn't just affected humans. Hundreds of animals have been caught up in the deadly storm as well.

While many people safely evacuated with their pets, other animals were left behind either at shelters or in homes. In North Carolina, hundreds of people stood in line to pick up foster dogs from coastal shelters for the weekend before the storm made landfall.

Here's how you can get involved in the efforts to help animals affected by Florence.

Adopt a new furry friend with waived fees
Several shelters outside of the storm's path have already taken in animals from shelters that evacuated. Many of these shelters are now waiving or providing discounted adoption fees for the animals they rescued.

To read more on this story, click here: How To Help Animals Affected By Florence


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Friday, August 31, 2018

Dog Circus Educates Japanese Youngsters on the Responsibilities of Pet Ownership


Tokyo, Japan - Japanese elementary school children enjoyed a dynamic performance by a troupe of 'unwanted dogs' on Wednesday when the Wow Wow Dog Circus came through town with the aim of educating youngsters on the responsibilities of pet ownership.

Jumping rope, balancing on balls and crossing narrow balance beams the furry friends brought smiles and laughter to the students of the local public school located in Tachikawa city on the outskirts of the greater Tokyo metropolitan area.

Beginning with a short 10 minute speech about dog shelters and statistics on the numbers of canines abandoned each year in Japan, organizers provided the young attendants with both education and entertainment.

Impressed by what he learned one 6th grader said he didn't approve of people who abandoned their pets.

"I really felt those people that abandon their dogs and don't take responsibility for them, that's not a good thing," 12-year-old Tokutaro Takahashi said.

His classmate, Keito Aoki who also had a chance to jump rope on stage with man's best friend agreed.

"For me it is unforgivable! From the moment you buy one, until it dies, that is our obligation," Aoki said.

The Wow Wow Dog Circus aims to educate young people about the responsibilities of pet ownership and encourage them both as children and later as adults to adopt animals from shelters in preference to buying them from pet shops.

"To understand the value of life, while they are still kids, to let them know what the situation in Japan is in the hope that they will pass on what they learned to others. That is the main focus of the program," said dog trainer Kayo Takeda.

In contrast to some other nations the concept of 'doggie adoption' or animal rescue is still relatively unknown in Japan. Most pet owners purchase animals from local pet shops or kennels.

"Compared to a country like Germany the number (of adoptions) is way too low, more and more we need to use the system (for adopting abandoned dogs).

The sales at pets shops are very high (in Japan), but overseas the thinking to adopt a dog is much more prevalent. I'd like to hope that Japan will move forward in that direction," Takeda told Reuters.

In Japan 100,000 dogs are abandoned and destroyed every year.



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A Dog's Last Will and Testament



I did not write this poem, I am sharing. I must warn you that tissues are a requirement.







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Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Real Men are Kind to Animals


Real Men are Kind to Animals is a non-profit organization. While they don’t describe on their facebook page what they actually do…the pictures below speak volumes!

You can “Like” their face book page at: Real Men are Kind to Animals 






                            Arlington officers praised for pacifying ‘aggressive’ dog


                                        Wichita PD rescues dog from highway!




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Sunday, August 19, 2018

Blind Dog Has Her Own Seeing Eye Dog – Meet Lily and Maddison


This is one of those stories that make you say “awww!” As an animal lover…this story melted my heart!

Lily, a Great Dane was only 18 months old when veterinarians removed both her eyes. She was suffering from entropion, a condition that caused her eyelashes to roll inward and scratch painfully against her eyeballs.

But thankfully she’s got guide dog Maddison, another Great Dane to lead her around. Maddison stays close to Lily when they walk around, helping to guide her by touching her with his body to let her know the way.

The two dogs were being cared for by UK dog welfare charity Dogs Trust, which had problems finding a good home willing to take the unlikely pair. Their previous owner could no longer cope with the two big dogs, and in July handed Lily and Maddison over to be rehomed.

“With her lack of sight, Lily’s other senses have heightened so, although we don’t split them up often, she can tell if Maddison is nearby,” explains Louise Cabell, who works at the shelter. So cute! Here’s hoping these buddies find a great new home.

 “It’s very sad as members of the public walk straight by their kennel, often put off by the idea of having two large dogs and of course one without eyes can be a bit shocking!" Louise Campbell, manager of Dogs Trust Shrewsbury, had explained.

The dogs sleep together, and were awaiting adoption at the Dogs Trust in the British town of Shrewsbury.

After putting out a public call, more than 2,000 people offered to take the dogs, the Daily Mail says.

The Williams family from the countryside in nearby Crewe, Cheshire were chosen to adopt the dog.

Anne Williams and her husband Len said they weren't fazed by the prospect of having two large dogs.

"We've always had two dogs together, I like them to have company and so taking on two of them wasn't a daunting prospect," Ann Williams told the Daily Mail. "We've also got a lovely big garden so it's the perfect setting for two huge dogs."

The couple plan to take Lily and Maddison along on holidays to France and the Lake District in England.





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Saturday, August 18, 2018

Animal Hoarding – What Do You Think?


I am not an expert on this subject. All of the views below come from other sources. I would like to know what you think about Animal Hoarding.

The Humane Society of the United States says:

What is an animal hoarder?
An animal hoarder is a person who amasses more animals than he/she can properly care for. Such individuals generally fail to recognize or refuse to acknowledge when the animals in their custody become victims of gross neglect. Animal hoarders are sometimes referred to as animal "collectors" or animal "addicts."

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)  says:

What Is Animal Hoarding?
Animal hoarding is a complex and intricate public health and community issue. Its effects are far-reaching and encompass mental health, animal welfare and public safety concerns.


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Tuesday, August 7, 2018

That Cute Puppy That You See in the Store or Online, May Be Coming From a Puppy Mill


So you've decided to get a puppy? If you are thinking about getting one from a pet store or on-line, please be careful. That cute puppy most likely came from a puppy mill.

Definition of a puppy mill:
A puppy mill, sometimes known as a puppy farm, is a commercial dog breeding facility that is operated with an emphasis upon profits above animal welfare and is often in substandard conditions regarding the well-being of dogs in their care. Similar types of operations exist for other animals most commonly kept as pets or used as feed for other animals. The term can be applied to operations involving other animals commercially bred for profit, e.g. "kitty mills." There are an estimated 4,000 puppy mills in the U.S. that produce more than half a million puppies a year. Commercial kennels may be licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture which may inspect the kennels routinely.




Please share, and remember "Adoption is an Option!"


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Monday, November 20, 2017

A Dog's Last Will and Testament



I did not write this poem, I am sharing. I must warn you that tissues are a requirement.






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Thursday, October 6, 2016

Will My Dog Be Ok If I Adopt Another?


If you've decided to bring a new doggie home, you're probably worried about how Rover at home is going to react. Though there's a chance he might resent your decision a bit -- this should only be temporarily. Introducing two adult dogs can be a challenge and you need to be careful to avoid an all-out war. Hopefully, the pooches will eventually become friends and have lots of fun together. However, it's up to you to make that happen.

Personality

Your first responsibility is to your current dog. After all, you don't want to put him in a situation he'll hate or be miserable in. If Rover is a quiet, old dog, don't bring home a hyper teenage dog who will drive him crazy. When adopting from a shelter, always find out the past history of the new dog. If he was abused or has a dominant character, this might create problems with your doggie back home. Is Rover a high-energy, always-running pooch? Then getting a companion with the same level of energy could be great -- they can play together and tire each other out.

To read more on this story, click here: Will My Dog Be Ok If I Adopt Another?


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Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Abandoned and Stray Cats Have Found a Friend in Mohammad Alaa Jaleel: He Cares For Hundreds of Them


Aleppo, Syria - Abandoned and stray cats in Aleppo, Syria, have found a friend in Mohammad Alaa Jaleel.

The ‘cat man,’ as the BBC is calling him, cares for more than a hundred felines without homes in the city destroyed by civil war. In a video shot by the BBC, the animal lover says his cat sanctuary will “protect” any cat that needs it.

The sanctuary began with about 30 cats, but a year later that number expanded to more than a hundred. “Some people just left them with me knowing that I love cats,” he said.

Other stories of pets left behind are much more heartbreaking.

“One time a little girl brought me a cat. Her parents wanted to go abroad. So they came here — they knew there was a cat sanctuary here. The girl had brought the cat up since she was a kitten,” he said. “She cried as she handed her over to me and they left the country. I’ve been taking photos of the cat and sending them to her in Turkey. She begs me, ‘Send me photos of her. I miss her. Please promise to return my cat back to me when we come back.’ ”

With so many of his human friends leaving the war torn city, Alaa Jaleel told the BBC the kitties are his newfound friends.

“I’ll stay with them,” he said, “no matter what happens.”




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Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Man Saves His Money: Buys an Ambulance to Care for Stray Dogs and Cats in His City


Some people go to great lengths to follow their passion. While this alone is incredible, it is even more amazing when that passion is helping out those in need. Take Balu for example: Balu wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life, but he knew he wanted to help animals. To make his dream come true, he saved up his money for 10 years so that he could buy an ambulance and care for stray dogs and cats in his city.

Since he attained his goal of buying an ambulance, he has saved countless animals with broken legs, wounds, and other injuries obtained from living on the streets. He charges less than $5 to pet guardians and non-profit agencies for transporting and boarding. He is able to earn a little extra by charging 15 cents per mile when taking people’s pets to their vet visits. However, Balu isn’t just an ambulance driver, he also helps to care for sick cats and dogs in his home. When there is no room in the shelter, he takes the animals to his house or a care center so that they are given everything they need until they are adopted.

Balu says that he sometimes gets bullied for taking care of the dogs and cats that others believe should just be euthanized. However, Balu won’t give up on the helpless animals. “I decided that I’m not going to do anything else – whatever I do has to be with animals.”

Balu’s example shows that anyone can be a hero to animals, if you just care enough to help them. Want to help animals in your city? Check out your local shelter for volunteer opportunities. You can also help stray animals by pledging to always adopt, not shop when bringing a four-legged companion into your home.




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Thursday, January 7, 2016

Watch as Hope For Paws Miraculously Save a Pit Bull from a Busy Los Angeles Freeway


Living near a busy, dangerous freeway is no place for a dog to call home, which was sadly the case for a pit bull named Veyron.

The animal rescue organization Hope For Paws received a call that a homeless pit bull was scared and stranded near a Los Angeles freeway.

Dedicated workers from Hope for Paws spent ample time trying to get the timid dog away from his surroundings, and in a terrifying life-or-death moment near an overpass, the team was eventually able to rescue the shaken pittie.

With the efforts of Hope for Paws and trainers, Veyron is now a happy, healthy dog. He gets to run and play and no longer lives in fear. Veyron is ready to leave his old life behind and be adopted and brought into a caring forever home.

Watch Veyron's journey from the streets to the hearts of animal lovers everywhere below:




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Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Elderly Street Dog with Massive Tumor Rescued: Needs Donations to Help with Surgery Cost


Remember Ricky (Charlie), the dog who spent 10 years livingin a New York City park?  Well, the group who rescued him has rescued another senior dog – this time an 11- to 12-year-old female who had a massive tumor on her abdomen.  The growth has been removed, and she is now recovering, but her battle isn’t over yet.

If you would like to make a donation to help Domingo, please click here: Save Domingo - Upper Manhattan Dog

Our group just rescued another dog that lived on the streets of Upper Manhattan for 11 or 12 years. Her name is Domingo.

She is in desperate need of surgery for a huge tumor the size of a soccer ball on one of her legs.

The same group of people who recently saved another feral dog, Ricky, found out about Domingo about a month ago, and started looking for ways to capture her.

A school teacher from the Bronx was driving by the area, noticed the stray dog, and immediately reached out to a number of rescue groups for help. Only one person agreed to help. It was Linda. Linda, a long-time animal lover and rescuer, mother of two adorable girls, found time in her busy schedule to come and try to catch the dog from Long Island to the Bronx several times a day for weeks. She managed to put a leash on Domingo yesterday.

Now Domingo is in the care of vets and needs to undergo a very complicated surgery for removal of the tumor.

All the funds collected by this page will go directly to the rescue group.

The Rescue group website is: Almost Home Animal Rescue & Adoption, Inc.

The group has a Paypal account as well published on the web page.
Many thanks to all for your kindness and care!

Please share and help with a donation if you can. No amount is too small.
Thank you.


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Monday, May 11, 2015

Frightened Stray Dog Gets Rescued…Then Gets a Kiss from Betty White


When Eldad Hagar of Hope For Paws went to rescue this dog, the poor pooch was so scared he hid his head. Eldad and Lisa Arturo had to use a soccer net to coral him into a small area so they could get a leash on him.

They named him Einstein. After treatment and a cleanup he looked like a different dog. Happy, loving and playful!

Einstein got adopted by Actor/Director Emanuele Secci; the two of them are now inseparable. He has a Facebook page too.

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Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Kids Helping Animals: A Big 'Thank You' To Vincent and Ekuba MacDonnell-Monahan, Who Raised Money Selling Lemonade to Help the Animals at The Prince George's County Animal Shelter


 Prince George's County, Maryland - A big 'thank you' to Vincent and Ekuba MacDonnell-Monahan, who raised money for the homeless animals by selling lemonade. 

Their parents matched their donation and wrote the check. What fantastic kids, whose Grandma Joan volunteers at the Prince George's County Animal Shelter every Wednesday!

Here they are posing with Chief Rodney Taylor, of the Prince George's County Animal Shelter.




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Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Companion Pet Adoption: It's Humane, Ethical and Saves Lives


Whether to adopt or shop for your next pet should be an easy decision. Companion pet adoption is not only far more humane and ethical, it saves lives. dog in emergency shelter

Deciding if you’re ready for a pet, or another one

First and foremost, bringing a pet into your family is a serious decision. You must be willing and able to provide shelter, food, medical care and, above all, love. What you get in return is beyond measure. At minimum, ask yourself these questions:

Who else is part of my household? 

It’s important to consider the presence of children, elderly family members and other pets you may have. You want any new addition to be a harmonious one.

What is my lifestyle? 


Think about your routines and activity level. Are you an active, outdoor type who wants a companion pet to enjoy your athletic pursuits, or are you looking for a buddy to share quiet times at home?  

Do I have time for a pet? 

Consider if your work schedule or other out-of-home activities means your new pet will be alone most of the day. While some pets might be comfortable with a lot of alone time, younger animals who need training, those with separation anxiety, pets with medical needs or animals who are simply not built to be alone most of the day will not be a good fit for you.

Can I afford a pet? 

The costs of food, medical care, supplies and other necessities add up quickly. Average annual pet care costs for dogs for the first year range from $1,300-$1,800, and for cats about $1,000 – in addition to the pet’s adoption fee.

Is my home life stable? 

If you are about to move, switch jobs or have other major changes to your home life or actual residence, it’s probably not the best time to adopt. Companion animals, particularly those who may have had a hard life prior to adoption, need stability, structure and routine in order to feel secure and build their confidence.

Unfortunately not all pets find the lifetime of love and care they deserve. Some end up in animal shelters, animal control facilities or with rescue groups, waiting for their forever families. They may have been surrendered, abandoned, abused or otherwise neglected – and many face the prospect of death or permanent homelessness if not adopted.

In spite of these grim facts, bringing a pet into your home should never be a spontaneous decision or one taken lightly.

Where do shelter animals come from?

Some shelter animals were picked up as strays while others were victims of circumstance. Previous owners may have passed away, fallen ill, moved to a residence that did not allow pets, lost their home, changed jobs, got divorced or simply lost interest in their pet. Whatever the case, many pets are surrendered or abandoned – despite the fact that it is illegal in all 50 states to abandon an animal. shelter cat

These orphaned animals are equally capable of giving and receiving love as any other pet, and every one of them has a story.

Shelters often have brief descriptions about a pet’s history on their websites, while staff and volunteers may be able to add first-hand accounts of how the dog or cat interacts at their facility with both people and other animals. However, there can be gaps in your pet’s life history, and in some cases – such as animals who were abandoned, found as strays or transferred from other shelters where little was known about them – there may be no information about the animal’s prior life. Many shelters and rescues perform basic screening for behavior and temperament so that they can make the best possible matches in spite of having little or no background on the animal, but this is more art than science.

Be prepared to not know everything about your new pet’s story.

It’s important not to let gaps in a dog’s or cat’s biography deter you from adopting. Pets live in the moment, and going home with you signals a fresh start for a new and happy life. The next chapter of your pet’s life begins with adoption.

Benefits of companion pet adoption

When dogs or cats adopted, they have won the lottery: a good home, a warm bed, toys, food, medical care and love. They return that love unconditionally and without judgment, one of the main reasons people are drawn to companion pets in the first place. 


Companion pet adoption has distinct advantages over other ways of acquiring a pet:
  • Help is available. Shelters have adoption counselors to help you through the adoption process and find the best fit for your family. If your household includes children, other pets or even an elderly family member, prepare for everyone to visit the shelter when you are evaluating specific pets for adoption.
  • What you see is what you get: Adult pets are typically house-trained, know basic manners, may even know tricks, and are often already socialized around people and other pets. Be careful about judging an animal’s temperament too quickly though. A shelter can be a high stress environment, so an initially quiet animal may prove to be more energetic once they are home. Refer to the staff and volunteers who have interacted with the animal for insight.
  • Variety is the spice of life: Animal welfare organizations offer a wide range of pets for adoption. On average 25% of dogs found in shelters are purebreds. You can find mixed breeds we well, and animals of all ages, size, temperament and medical condition.
  • Your pet has received basic health screening. Rescued animals receive basic veterinary care and, in some cases, extraordinary care if they have been sick, injured or abused. In many locales, pets cannot be adopted until they are up-to-date on required vaccinations, and sterilized so as not to contribute to pet overpopulation. While most animals are spayed or neutered before they are adopted, some shelters provide vouchers or other means for new pet parents to fix their pets. Your local animal welfare organization can help you find affordable spay and neuter programs, and may host microchip clinics if you wish to ensure your pet’s safety one step further.
  • You may save money. Pet adoption fees are typically much less expensive than the costs to purchase a dog or cat from a retail store, or acquire one from a breeder. The money you save is that much more to budget for your pet’s needs, such as food, medical care and – hopefully – plenty of treats and toys.
  • You save two lives. The first life you save is that of the pet you adopt, and each adoption creates space in the shelter for another animal to be rescued. In this way, every adoption spares two lives. 
You may think you’re getting all of these benefits when you buy a pet through a retail store, but most of those animals come from puppy mills - mass breeding facilities with notoriously poor conditions for parent animals and their litters. Choosing adoption means less support for these unscrupulous breeders. Some people acquire their pets from legitimate breeders because they are devoted to a particular breed, unaware that many purebreds are available through breed-specific rescues and animal shelters alike.

The pet adoption process

When you are ready to have a pet, or found the dog or cat that’s just right for you, it’s natural to want to take that bundle of joy home immediately. 

While adoption processes vary, they can include adoption applications, reference checks, multiple visits with the animal, a holding period and even home visits. This can make simply buying a pet at the store seem appealing, but shelters have these practices in place for a reason: they want to make sure every dog or cat is going a good, responsible home – and you will want to do everything possible to ensure that you and your pet are a great match.  

If you want to save the life of a pet who truly needs to be saved, she is more than worthy of a little effort. woman hugging dog

Pet adoption fees help shelters and rescues defray the costs of care while the animal was in their custody, including food, shelter and veterinary care, as well as expenses associated with facility operations, such as staff, insurance, rent, utilities and the like. Fees may help cover transport costs for dogs and cats transferred in from other shelters where they faced fewer prospects of adoption.

In most cases, the adoption fee does not cover the full costs to the shelter; the difference is typically made up through donations, grants and other forms of revenue.

Other ways to help shelter pets

Rescuing an animal through adoption is an extremely rewarding experience. Even if you are not ready to adopt, you can still support homeless animals in your community:
  • Encourage friends and family to adopt.
  • Donate food, supplies, or money: Shelters advertise what they need on so-called “wish lists;” some of these are common items you may have at home, such as gently used towels, sheets and blankets. 
  • Volunteer: Contact your local rescue group, shelter or animal control to see what positions they have available, such as dog walking, kennel maintenance, answering the phones or other important tasks. If you have a special skill or talent – such as photography – let them know.
  • Attend local events: Animal welfare groups often host fundraisers, adoption events, and mobile spay/neuter or microchip clinics. Find out how you can support their efforts in the community.
  • Foster a shelter pet. If for any number of reasons you’re unable to adopt a pet, consider temporarily fostering a dog or cat in your home. Cost of care (food, veterinary bills) are covered by the sponsoring shelter or rescue, and you’ll be helping an animal prepare for his future life as an adoptee. You might even consider fostering a pet for a service member during military deployment.
If you have adopted an animal, or in the process of adopting one, please consider purchasing an 'Adopt Don't Shop' t-shirt. 

For more information on the 'Adopt Don't Shop' t- shirt, click here:

Have You Adopted a Pet? Did You Know That You Saved a Life? Get Your 'Adopt Don't Shop' T-Shirt - Show Everyone How Proud You Are: Limited Edition of 150

Next time you are thinking about adding a pet to your family, please adopt – don’t shop! FOLLOW US!
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Thursday, March 26, 2015

Stray Dogs Show Up at Funeral Home: Attend Funeral of the Woman That Always Fed Them


Margarita Suárez, a humble woman from Mérida, Mexico, did not run a shelter or work with a registered animal organization.  She was not rich and only earned enough money to get by, however, she never hesitated to help animals in need. Suarez fed over 20 stray cats that came to her door every morning, and whenever she went out, she carried food to feed the stray dogs she met on the streets.

At the beginning of March, Suarez relocated to Cuernavaca, Mexico, for health reasons. There, she continued to feed and look after the homeless animals in her community. Sadly, Suarez’s health took a turn for the worse and she passed away. Family, friends and stray dogs attended her funeral.

Patricia Urrutia, Suarez’s daughter, said that on March 15, 2015, stray dogs started arriving at the funeral home early in the morning. At first she thought they were area dogs welcomed at the funeral home, but then she noticed the animals were entering the room where her mother’s body was resting. Urrutia asked workers if they knew the dogs and everyone said they had never seen them before.

When Suarez’s body was moved to the church, the dogs followed behind the funeral car, and when the body returned to the funeral home, so did the dogs.

Urrutia believes the stray dogs were some of the pets her mother fed and they came to show their respect. The dogs were respectful and some even played with funeral attendees. The pets only left once Suarez’s body was prepared for cremation.

Family members cannot explain how the dogs knew where they could find Suarez, but they were happy to see the dogs Suarez cared so much for, also loved her.


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