Well ladies and gentledogs, the Holiday Season is upon us. This time of year, we pause to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. Believe me, I have plenty to be thankful for. This time last year, I had just given birth to a litter of beautiful pups, but I wasn’t feeling too good because of my heartworm disease. Fast forward one year and wow, what a difference!

I am so thankful for my loving family – human and canine. Thanks to them, I am healthy, happy and heartworm free. I have a nice cozy bed to sleep in and plenty of good food to eat. I have other doggies to play with and a humom who loves me. What more could a doggie want??

I am most thankful for all the rescued doggies and pound puppies (and older dogs) who have found loving homes this past year.

I am thankful for all of the volunteers who worked tirelessly to rescue homeless pups and doggies on death row at kill shelters and from the mean streets, and to those who volunteered their time to clean kennels, wash bowls and walk doggies at their local shelters.

I am also thankful to all the volunteers who opened their hearts and homes to foster doggies until they could find a furever home of their own.

If I could have one wish this holiday season, it would be for all of the homeless animals to find loving furever homes. I would be so happy if those of you who were thinking about bringing a furry friend into your life, would adopt a wonderful, grateful pet from your local shelter or rescue!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Hey folks! I want to tell you a little bit about pet overpopulation, and why it is so important to have your pet spayed or neutered.

The Humane Society of the United States estimates that 6 – 8 million dogs enter our nations shelters each year. Less than one-third of these are reclaimed by their owners. Do you know what happens to most of the dogs that can’t be adopted out to new families?

That’s right. They are euthanized – that means their innocent lives are ended.

It is estimated that close to half of the dogs that enter shelters in this country are euthanized. Half! Can you believe that? I’d be terrified if I ended up in one of these shelters, knowing that my chances of making it out alive were only 50/50. Luckily, the shelter that I ended up in was a no-kill shelter.

What, you ask, do all those statistics have to do with spaying and neutering? Everything. It is possible for a female dog to have two litters a year. A canine litter produces an average of 6 – 10 puppies.

Think about this: If your dog has 10 puppies, then after they become adults (let’s say at 2 years), they each produce 2 litters of 10 puppies in the next 3 years. Those puppies each produce 2 litters of 10 puppies after age 2. In five years, your one dog has contributed to THOUSANDS of puppies! Where will you ever find homes for all those adorable puppies???? Chances are, you won’t.

Not only does spaying and neutering help reduce the pet population, but it also has benefits for your pet. It helps your pet live a longer, healthier life. It reduces the risks of several cancers in both male and female pets.

Neutering your male dog early will help reduce unwanted behaviors like roaming (in search of females in heat), marking territory, and getting into fights over females.

Spaying your female dog eliminates her heat cycle, which in turn eliminates some messy clean-ups. Females in heat can exhibit nervous behavior, roam, and attract unwanted males. Males will even climb a fence (or dig under it) to get to a female in heat.

Many people think that their pet will become fat and lazy, or have a personality change. Overfeeding and lack of exercise, not spaying or neutering, will make your pet fat, and if there is a personality change it will only be slight, such as your pet being slightly calmer. I can tell you that I am the same sweet girl I was before, and I am less nervous and better behaved.

All of the pets that live in my house have been spayed or neutered. None of us has suffered any ill effects. We are all happier and healthier because of it.

If you can’t afford to have your pet spayed or neutered, check with local animal welfare organizations, such as your local Humane Society, or SPCA. Many organizations sponsor low-cost spay/neuter programs.

If you want more information, check out the following:

www.spayusa.org

www.hsus.org

www.aspca.org

One of the most common degenerative joint diseases that are seen in canines is hip dysplasia . In an attempt to dispel some of the misconceptions about hip dysplasia we are going to talk about what we know for sure about the disease, how it is caused and what the symptoms are.

What is Hip Dysplasia?

It is important that you have an understanding of the joint that is effected. The hip joint is what forms the attachment between the hind leg to the body. It is the ball and socket joint. The ball part of the joint is actually the head of the femur and the socket which is called the acetabulum is in the pelvis. When the joint is healthy the ball portion rotates in the socket. Nature made it so that the two pieces are made to perfectly fit together. The socket is surrounds the ball.

To make sure that the joint is strong, these two bones are held together by a ligament. This ligament attaches the ball to the socket. Then there is a strong band of connective tissue called the joint capsule that encircles the bones. The area where the bones actually touch one another is called the articular surface. This surface is smooth and cushioned by a layer of cartilage. In a healthy joint, all of these components work together to make sure that the joint is functioning properly.

What Causes Hip Dysplasia?

When the hip joint has develops abnormally in a young dog. This abnormal development may or may not happen to both sides. What causes this abnormal development is the laxity of the muscles, ligaments and connective tissue that support the joint. The majority of dogs that have hip dysplasia are born with normal hips but then because of genetic factors as well as other possible factors, the soft tissues around the joint begin to develop abnormally as the puppy grows.

Basically what is happening here is that the bones in the joint are not being held in place and they begin to move apart. The ligaments and joint capsule begin to stretch which increases the instability of the joint. This then causes the articular surfaces of the bones to lose contact. The separation that is caused here is known as subluxation. This subluxation is the sole cause of all the problems that are tied to this disease.

The Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia

Keep in mind that dogs of all ages can exhibit symptoms of hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis. When the cases are severe, puppies as young as 5 months can show signs of discomfort and pain when they are active or after intense play. Unfortunately the condition will get worse until even walking will cause them pain. If these dogs go untreated it is possible that they will not be able to walk at all by the time they are two or three.

That is the most severe of cases. The majority of cases though are when symptoms are seen later on in life. Here is a list of what to look for:

• Your dog walking or running with an altered gait. They are often resistant to any movements that require them to fully extend or flex their rear legs.
• Your dog will run with what is called a “bunny hopping” gait. There is stiffness and pain in their rear legs when they are done exercises.
• Limping
• Decrease activity
• Loss of muscle tone
• May need help with getting up

Don’t be like many owners and think that this behavior is typical of the aging process. Many owners that then take their dogs for treatment are amazed at the vast improvements in their dogs afterward, the dog is able to move with more ease and less pain.

Learn more about hip dysplasia and other dog health issues at The Pooch Place . Here you will find information ranging from hip dysplasia causes to symptoms of hip dysplasia.

One of the biggest decisions you will make is to adopt a puppy for your family. Finding the perfect little four legged edition to your family is important, there are a lot of things to consider. The first two major issues are figuring out how to adopt a puppy and where you can adopt one from.

There are a number of places of places were you can adopt a puppy. There are listings in most local newspapers that can be found in the classified sections. You can also visit a local veterinary office most of them have a community board where people place signs for puppies that are available.

Your local Human Society or Pet Rescue also has puppies that are available for adoption. You can check with your local pet supply stores as to when they will be hosting their next pet adoption days. There are pet stores that also have animals that are available for adoption. Finally, don’t feel like you can only adopt a dog locally, you can also search the internet for breeders and adopt a puppy that way.

What is the difference between all of these places when it comes to adopting a puppy? There are two main differences, one is cost. Adopting from a pet store is probably going to be the most expensive route to adopt a dog. Paying more does not mean that you are getting a better dog. If you are able, visit all the options that you have available to you. Go to the Humane Society, visit the Pet Refuge, talk to a number of people before you decide on a puppy.

The second major difference between where you are going to adopt a puppy is where the puppy came from. If you go with independent people that have placed ads in the newspapers, you can ask them if the puppies they have are good with kids, have then been house broken, what shots have they had.

If you choose to go with a breeder they can answer the same questions. I am not going to tell you that one option is better then they other, but you need to ask questions to make sure you are getting the right puppy for you and your family.

Now that we have covered where you can adopt a puppy, let’s look at how. Again this is going to depend on where you decide to adopt a puppy from. If you go through an independent person, either a breeder or your neighbor the adoption is pretty simple. You pay them for the puppy and the puppy comes home with you. If you go through a place such as the Humane Society or the Pet Rescue the process is a little different.

The Pet Rescue will actually interview you, ask you a number of questions to make sure that you are a good fit for the puppy. Their goal is to make sure the animals they have are placed in loving, healthy and safe environments. The Humane Society is similar, they will ask about any other animals you have, they will also have the pet spayed or neutered before they come home with you.

In most states both of the Humane Society and the Pet Rescue will have the puppy micro chipped as well. This is for the safety of the puppy, in case he/she ever gets away from you and are found, the Humane Society and the Pet Rescue can get the pup back to you.

Where ever you decide to adopt a puppy from make sure that you are getting the right dog for you and your home. Realize that adopting a puppy is a lot like having a baby. They need love, they need care, they need patience and understanding.

To find more information on where to adopt a puppy and how to housebreak a puppy visit The Pooch Place. There you will find videos, articles and reports to help you take care of your new family member. www.thepoochplace.com

Tags: dogs, dog health, pets, pet, dog nutrition, commercial dog food, holistic dog food, homemade dog food

If you’ve read part one of my story, you’ll be able to pick right up here. If not, I’ll bring you up to date. I was a Hurricane Katrina refugee, dumped by my family. Luckily, I wound up in the Katrina shelter where I was cared for until a nice lady brought me to her house to foster me. I had my puppies at her house, and she made sure that all of them found loving homes (she even adopted one). Now, the battle of the heartworms begins…

Right after Christmas, I had to start my heartworm treatment. The vet told my foster mom that the treatment would most likely be really hard on me because I had such a bad case of heartworms, and my body was still recovering from pregnancy and nursing.

My foster mom took me to the nice vet lady, and she gave me a shot. It hurt really, really bad. She told foster mom that I had to be kept really still and that I should not allow my heart rate to get too high – no running, jumping, playing or anything like that, and only slow walks to go potty.

Now, I’m a high energy girl, so this was pretty hard. Foster mom kept me crated (in a big crate so I wasn’t too cramped) and I had a nice soft bed to lay on. The day after my first shot, I was in pain and wouldn’t eat. Mom fed me chicken and cheese (my favorites) and gave me some pain medicine. I felt a little better. After a few days, I guess those nasty adult heartworms started dying off and getting into my blood stream. I started coughing a lot. I would cough so much that I would throw up. I was miserable!

One day, Foster Mom came home from work to find that I had been coughing up blood and fluid from my lungs. I was a sick, sick doggy. She rushed me to the vet (her regular vet, not the same shelter vet) and the nice vet man gave me some more medicine. He put his arm around my foster mom and said, “It doesn’t look good, but we’ll do all we can.” He said my heart sounded weak and my lungs were full of fluid.

Foster mom was in tears! She took me home and nursed me through this illness. She kept petting me and telling me, “Fight, Goldie-girl, fight. I’m not leaving you, we’ll get through this.” A couple weeks later, I was feeling much, much better.

On February 1, I got another painful shot, then the very next day I had to get another one! My poor little body was in such pain. Foster mom could tell by looking in my eyes. I wouldn’t eat or drink for a couple days. Mom gave me water through a syringe (with the needle removed of course) so I didn’t dehydrate. She even cooked for me!

We ended up going through the same routine as last time – coughing up blood, etc. Another trip to the vet, another hug from the vet saying this time he really wasn’t sure if I’d make it. More tears for foster mom. Foster mom nursed me through all the sickness and took really good care of me.

In early March, I had one last shot. This one wasn’t near as bad as the others, because it was aimed at killing the baby heartworms, where the last three were aimed at the adult heartworms. I had to stay quiet for a couple more weeks. I was so ready for this long ordeal to be over!!! I was tired of being sick.

Finally, at the end of March, Foster mom took me back to her nice vet man. Everyone in the office was soooooo happy, because my heartworm test came back negative!!!! I was HEARTWORM FREE!!!!!!!!!!! Mom and I celebrated!

The best news I’ve ever had in my life – even better than being heartworm free – came on April 11, 2006. At first I was a little worried. Foster mom came home from a meeting and told me that she would no longer be my foster mom. I was sad. After all the love and care she gave me, helping me through my pregnancy, caring for the pups and that awful heartworm treatment, I had grown to love her more than anyone in the world. I didn’t want to leave her.

Then, she told me the great news! She was my Forever Mom! She had adopted me, and I would stay with her forever and ever! April 11, 2006 turned out to be the best day of my life!

Here I am, happy, healthy and heartworm free!

I wish for all pups to have forever homes where they are cared for like I am. I guess you could call that Goldie’s Dream (and Mom’s too)!

Find out more about Goldie please visit The Pooch Place. There you will find information on variety of topics between natural dog food and heartworm treatment .

We have all seen those commercials with the adorable dogs begging and drooling for those dog treats that look and smell like people food, promising to offer even better dog food nutrition. You love your dog and you want to be able to give them a special treat every now and then, after all… how can you resist that lovely little head tilt, and those pleading eyes and possible even a cute little “come on… don’cha love me” whimper.

Naturally this makes you want to cave and give the lovable little pup the treat he deserves. If you aren’t giving him a homemade dog treat then you could be doing more harm then good. The better thing to do is to pet him in the head and tell him how you love him before you reach for one of those doggie treats.

From purely a digestive stand point, your dog does not need any extra snacks to get him through the day. Giving your pup those extra treats is actually contributing to the growing problem of pet obesity. Obesity can cause a number of health problems including diabetes, GI problems, cardiovascular problems, even immune and respiratory problems just to name a few. Think about it this way, you wouldn’t give your youngster treats every time they looked at you with a cute face, don’t give into your four legged little one either.

I know how tempting it can be to give your dog people food as well. I understand the thought process of, “It’s safe for us to eat,” the fact is that it could potentially make your dog very sick and possible kill them. Items such as baby food, many of which contain onion powder can be toxic to dogs.

Fish, poultry and other meat bones can actually cause obstructions in the digestive system, even cause lacerations. Have another little four legged feline friend, it isn’t okay to have them share the cat food either. Cat food is usually too high in fats and proteins for dogs. The infamous fat trimmings from the juicy steak you enjoyed can actually cause pancreatitis in your dog.

There are many very good dog foods available that will offer your dog all the nutrition they need. You can also look at holistic dog food that can be bought from your vet or you may even consider homemade dog food and homemade dog treats. There are a number of sites on the internet that provide free dog food recipes .

Really let them know you love them by making sure you are thinking of their long term health and not just instant gratification.

Find out more about the best way to take care of you dog, whether your looking for homemade dog food recipes or puppy training tips, check out The Pooch Place . Join other pet owners who share and learn from each other the best ways to take care of their babies.

Hi. My name is Goldie. I live in a nice, cozy house with a family who adores me. I have three other dogs to play with, good food to eat, and the vet care I need to stay healthy. Life wasn’t always this good for me, in fact, it was pretty bad before I met my hu-mom. Here’s my story:

I was one of the thousands of pets affected by Hurricane Katrina. I fled the storm with my first family. When they had trouble finding accommodations for themselves that would also take me, they did what lots of other people did. They abandoned me – just dropped me off in a Wal-Mart parking lot. I was alone and scared. I was also confused. See, I thought my family loved me, but I guess I was just too much trouble. I really tried to be a good girl for them. I guess I just wasn’t good enough.

Lucky for me, some people, who were also fleeing the storms with their pets, saw my family dump me out of the car and drive off. They caught up with my family and told them about a pet shelter where I could stay for free until they could come back for me. My family wasn’t interested. I chased after the car for a little bit, but stopped when I figured out they weren’t coming back. The nice people who saw me being dumped picked me up and took me to the pet shelter.

The shelter was a scary place. There were so many dogs in cages lined up along a concrete floor. I got a towel to lay on, a bowl of food and some water. I was too scared and upset to eat. The next day, people came in and took us for a walk so we could relieve ourselves. I didn’t want to go with the lady, but they made me. Afterwards, I was put back in my cage and the people all left. That afternoon, more people came in and walked all of us again. This is when I met my new mom for the first time. She walked in and our eyes met. Wow! There was something special there. I loved her the moment I saw her, and I knew she loved me too! Everyone was calling me “Little Wal-Mart” because that’s where I was dumped. This lady said I deserved a better name than that and started calling me Goldie. I liked that. I gladly went for a walk with her and even ate the food she gave me. This was the first time in the shelter that I wasn’t afraid. I was sad, though when she left that night.

The nice lady came and went over the course of several days. The vets came and gave us shots and drew our blood. I remember when the vet told the nice lady that I was a heavy positive for heartworms. She cried. A few days later, the nice lady took me for our usual walk, and sat down outside. I climbed up into her lap. She told me that she loved me and that she was going to find a way to get me out of there. I knew she would, too. I trusted her.

It wasn’t long before the shelter folks realized I was pregnant. Whoa! What a surprise that was! They couldn’t treat my heartworms until after my pups were born and weaned. I really didn’t want my pups born in a prison, but it looked like I had no choice. About a month after I came to the shelter, I got some good news. The nice lady was going to be my foster mom! I would live with her until I had the pups and was well enough to be adopted!

Less than two weeks after I moved in with my foster mom, I had my six beautiful pups. Unfortunately, one little girl didn’t make it, but I had three beautiful, healthy girls and two handsome, healthy boys. My foster mom took good care of all of us. My pups all went to good homes, especially one boy, Boudreaux. He was adopted by my foster mom!

I was so happy that my pups found loving homes, but I still had a long road ahead of me. I was a very sick girl…

Don’t miss part II of my story, coming soon!

Find out more about Goldie please visit The Pooch Place. There you will find information on variety of topics between holistic dog food and heated dog beds .

Why does my dog need his own “doggie bed”?

The average adult dog will sleep 14 – 16 hours a day. If you slept that much, wouldn’t you want to do it in comfort? Having a washable dog bed of his own gives your dog his own space where he can feel secure. A dog bed can also save your furniture and help you get a good night sleep by allowing you to have your bed back! Many older or arthritic dogs need a cushiony, firm, supportive bed to relieve pressure on their aching joints. All in all, having his own dog bed will improve the quality of life for your dog. (Of course, he may still enjoy an occasional nap with his person on their bed or couch….)

What size and type of bed do I need for my dog?

To decide what type, shape or size of bed to get for your dog, you first need to pay attention and figure out how he prefers to sleep. Does he like to curl up in a ball? Does he prefer to stretch out in both directions? Does he spend about half of his snooze time stretched out and the other half curled up?

A dog that enjoys napping all curled up would probably prefer a round or oval shaped bed that has lots of cushion. There are several types of beds that are perfect for these “snugglers”! A bolster bed is a bed that has cushion around at least three sides of the bed, providing a more contained environment for your dog. He may feel more secure in this type of bed. There are also snuggle or cuddle beds which resemble a bean bag. These beds allow your dog to “nest” and feel surrounded in cuddly comfort. Some beds even have a tent-like cover on them that allows the dog to burrow inside and be completely covered!

If your dog curls up to sleep, measure him in that position at the longest point, then add 7 inches to each measurement. When shopping, make sure that the dimensions of the bed come close to this number.

If your dog prefers to sleep all stretched out, you may want to think about getting him a rectangular, mattress type bed or pad. These type of large dog beds come in many varieties as well, ranging from a thin foam pad a couple inches thick to a deluxe people-like mattress up to 7 inches thick!

If your dog stretches out to sleep, measure him in the stretched-out position and add 12 inches to that number to ensure the bed is big enough to be comfortable for him.

If your dog likes to sleep both ways, an oval or rectangular pad or mattress type bed may do the trick and allow him to sleep comfortably either way. In this case, measure him as you would a dog who prefers to sleep stretched out!

Other things to consider when choosing the type of dog bed are issues such as the age and health of your dog. If you have an older or arthritic dog, you want to make sure that the bed you choose is easy for him to use or possible heated dog beds. Older and arthritic pets may have trouble getting on and off of a fluffy, snuggly type bed. The firm, supportive mattress-type bed would be more appropriate in these cases. There are many specialty beds available for orthopedic support. These beds are made of a firmer mattress, baffles stuffed with poly-fil for support, or even memory foam. The idea is to not only give your companion a comfortable place to sleep, but also an easy bed to get on or off of.

Can I get a dog bed to match my décor?

You can find a dog bed to match just about any décor. There are many fabrics, styles and colors to choose from. You can even get a dog bed that looks like a little human bed! If your dog prefers to sleep in a crate, there are many types of crate beds and pads that are designed to fit the most common crate sizes. Most places offer personalization for your dog’s bed as well. There’s almost no limit to the choices available.

What other factors do I need to consider?

Most people want a dog bed that is durable, yet easy to clean and care for. If ease of cleaning is especially important, opt for a dog bed that has a removable washable cover. This will allow you to keep your best friend’s bed clean and smelling fresh. Some beds also have an inner lining that can be removed and washed.

If your dog is a chewer, you will want to make sure that the bed can withstand the most aggressive chewer. There are cot-like beds made out of aluminum or pvc pipe that are extremely durable. These beds have a nylon or canvas cot pad that is also durable.

If you are looking for a bed to use outdoors, make sure that the manufacturer has labeled the bed for outdoor use. There are fabrics and fillers that are more appropriate and durable for outdoor use.

Be careful of dog beds that have vinyl covers. Vinyl contains chemicals that are toxic chemicals that are not good for you or your dog! If it has a strong “vinyl” smell, it contains a large amount of phthalates, which are chemicals used to soften the vinyl. In Europe the use of some of these phthalates has been banned in children’s toys. While easy to clean, using vinyl in your dog’s bed may not be worth the possible health risk.

Where should I put my dog’s bed?

If your dog could answer this question, he would most likely say, “In your bedroom, so I can smell you when I’m not with you.” Your dog adores you and wants to be near you. If you decide to provide your pal with more than one bed, you could put another in the family area or outside on the back porch where he likes to lay in the sun.

Your dog will benefit from having a comfortable place to call his own. No doubt, you will find him happily snoozing away on his cherished bed. Even if you prefer to share your bed with your dog, he will enjoy having a comfortable dog bed of his own. After all, don’t we all prefer to get away for some relaxation and solitude from time to time?

The Pooch Place is the place to go to find more information on small and large dog beds , heated dog bed, raised dog bed, orthopedic dog bed and much more…Visit The Pooch Place today

First of all, let’s start by saying that not all breeding kennels are puppy mills . There are many responsible breeders out there who take great care in the breeding of their puppies and dogs. These people are not the target of this article. The intention of this article is to help inform the general public about the horrors of puppy mills and to urge people to educate themselves before deciding where to buy a puppy.

What is a puppy mill? A puppy mill is basically a business that mass-produces puppies to sell over the internet, at auctions, flea markets, or to pet stores, brokers, etc. The main objective of a puppy mill is to make money. For this reason, there is little care or concern for the animals involved.

Physical conditions at puppy mills are often enough to make most people sick. The breeding females are often kept in small, cramped cages with very little human contact. Often, the only handling they receive is rough at best and abusive at worst. The breeding stock and the puppies are kept in wire cages which are rarely, if ever cleaned, forcing the dogs and puppies to live in their own excrement. It is not unusual for the living quarters to be exposed to the elements. Many puppy mills that have been investigated have had young puppies in wire cages outside in sub-freezing temperatures with not enough bedding to keep them warm. In the summer, puppies and dogs kept in metal cages with no ventilation can literally cook to death. Are these the kind of conditions you want your future puppy raised in?

The physical health of the animals is not of any more concern to the owners of the puppy mill than the living conditions are. Often, the breeding females are bred from their first heat cycle and every cycle after that until they are no longer able to breed. These poor dogs are literally bred to death. What happens when a female is no longer profitable? They are disposed of. These people are in this for money, so they are not going to feed a dog that is no longer bringing in money. There is rarely proper vet care for these animals – out of date vaccinations, if they are given at all, animals that have tumors or go blind are kept, without medical attention as long as they can produce offspring. There is little if any consideration for the genetic defects that in-breeding or breeding carelessly can cause. This often produces puppies that have many health problems later in life.

Of even less concern to the puppy mill breeder is the mental and emotional health of the animals. Many puppies obtained from a puppy mill are taken away from their mother and littermates too soon, causing behavioral and fear issues. These puppies may be fearful of people or other animals, acting aggressively out of fear to protect themselves. These puppies usually end up in shelters or being euthanized by owners who don’t know what else to do with a dog they cannot control.

What should you do if you think you’ve found a puppy mill with deplorable conditions and sickly animals? First, report it to your local animal control facility, law enforcement agency and humane society. If you do not report it, nothing will change. One of the most important things to remember, and perhaps the hardest rule to abide by, is do not risk compromising the investigation of the puppy mill by providing food, water, bedding, etc. to the animals until the authorities tell you that it is okay to do so. Many puppy millers have escaped prosecution because some well-meaning person has provided these things to the animals before the authorities arrive. By waiting until the proper time to help the animals, you will have a better chance of helping them long-term, rather than just temporarily providing comfort and allowing the puppy miller to continue subjecting them to the terrible conditions day after day.

There are several things you can do to help stop puppy mills. One of the best things you can do is to adopt a puppy from a rescue group or shelter. If you are set on a purebred dog, remember that there are many breed rescue groups that specialize in a certain breed, and purebreds wind up in the local shelter just like mixed breed dogs. If you really want to buy a puppy, do the research and make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder. Never buy from a pet shop that sells animals, the guy in the local supermarket parking lot or flea markets. If you are buying a puppy, you should be able to see at least the mother and you should be able to inspect the living conditions of the animals. As much as you want to rescue a puppy from these conditions, you are creating demand for what the puppy miller is producing, thereby perpetuating the puppy mill problem. When you buy a puppy mill pup, you are supporting the puppy mill business and forcing the adult dogs to a miserable life of being bred over and over again in poor living conditions.

You can help stop puppy mills even if you are not ready to bring a new puppy into your life. You can write letters to your state and federal legislators to let them know that you support laws to protect pets and humane regulations. You can write a letter to the editor of your newspaper addressing your concerns and to educate the public about the connection between puppy mills and pet stores. You can remind your friends to use care when selecting a breeder to buy from and help research responsible breeders.

Our dogs give us so much love. They deserve to be treated humanely and to be given love in return. No animal should have to suffer the outrageous atrocities encountered in puppy mills .

Do you know what a backyard breeder is? A backyard breeder is anyone who purposely breeds or allows their pet to breed and produce litters of puppies to sell for profit. Ask any animal rescue organization and they will tell you that backyard breeders are one of the largest, if not the largest group of irresponsible, careless people contributing to the overwhelming number of abandoned, homeless, neglected, abused and unwanted pets.

WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL?

In the United States, there are an estimated 6 – 8 million homeless or unwanted dogs entering shelters and rescues. There are already many more pets than available homes. Every litter produced by a backyard breeder adds to this number. While the many rescue workers are active in rescue because they love and have compassion for these animals, I don’t know of any who would not be glad to be put out of work because there were no more homeless animals to place. This will not happen as long as one person breeds one litter in his backyard, basement, garage, etc. One unspayed female dog and her offspring can be responsible for 67,000 puppies in just 6 years. Do you know of 67,000 people who want a puppy? More importantly, do you know of 67,000 people who want to make the investment of time and money to love and properly care for a puppy?

According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), about half of the dogs in shelters are euthanized simply because there is no one to adopt them. This means that when you allow your dog to breed so your children can see the “miracle of life,” then take the puppies to a shelter because you can’t find homes for them, there is a 50% chance that they will be euthanized. Killed. Discarded. Thrown Away. While you are showing your kids the miracle of birth, are you telling them about the death that these pups may be facing? Do you realize that you are teaching your children that animals are disposable items, rather than living, breathing, feeling, loving creatures?

Backyard breeders don’t often take into consideration the effect their bad decisions have. It affects the health of the pet they are breeding, the life of the puppies produced, as well as the life of the person at the shelter who may have to kill a perfectly healthy, sweet, adorable puppy or dog simply because there’s no more room at the shelter and no one wants to adopt him or her. Can you imagine being a shelter worker and taking a sweet, trusting dog to the “back room” only to betray that trust by sticking them with a needle and ending their life?

Besides the obvious problem of over-population, a big problem with backyard breeders is that they breed with complete disregard for breed standards and overall health of the animals. If the litter is an “oops” litter, meaning the unspayed female got out and got pregnant, then there may be no way to determine the sire of the litter. If the backyard breeder is breeding for profit, he usually cuts corners and will find the most convenient or least expensive male for his female to mate with. This means that there’s a good chance the puppies will have health problems. If you buy a puppy from a backyard breeder, you may get more than you bargained for. You may get a dog with emotional or health problems from a less-than-ideal upbringing, improper care for the mother during pregnancy, or from being taken away from its mom and littermates too soon. In addition, you will be supporting the cause of so many unwanted pets.

SO, HOW DO I TELL A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER FROM A BACKYARD BREEDER?

There are several ways you can tell that whether you are dealing with a backyard breeder or a responsible breeder. A responsible breeder knows that it takes a large amount of time, effort, care and money to properly breed and raise puppies. They are knowledgeable and do it for the betterment of the breed, not to make a buck.

A responsible breeder will specialize in one or two breeds. If the breeder you are dealing with advertises multiple breeds, they are probably a backyard breeder and you should do some research before buying a puppy from him or her. The breeder should know the history of the breed, the traits, conformation and temperament of the breed, and should be involved in the showing of purebred dogs in some way.

A responsible breeder will grill a potential buyer with many, many questions. In fact, if the breeder doesn’t feel that the breed is a good fit for you and your family, he or she will refuse to sell you a puppy. The responsible breeder’s top priority is the welfare of his or her dogs and will always agree to take the dog back at any point in his or her life if the owners decide they can no longer keep the dog.

A responsible breeder will always have the mother on site and often the father as well. The mother should appear healthy and the area where the mother and pups are kept should be clean. If the breeder will not allow you to see the mother or the area where the dogs are kept, this should send up red flags.

A responsible breeder will not separate the pups from their mother before 8 weeks of age. The puppies should be dewormed and vaccinated. The breeder will be able to supply references of people who have bought puppies from him or her and are now happy pet owners with happy, healthy dogs.

Remember…just because the breeder throws out a bunch of fancy acronyms such as, AKC, UCK, CGC, OFA, CERF, etc. does not mean they are reputable breeders. AKC registration is done primarily by mail and is not a guarantee of a quality, healthy puppy. If the breeder insists that the puppy has been OFA certified, you will know they do not know what they are talking about. A dog cannot be OFA certified until he is two years of age. Most reputable breeders do not advertise, and if they do, they do not use terms like rare, teacup, etc. You will never hear a reputable breeder refer to his or her puppies as “full-blooded.” The proper term would be purebred, and that goes without saying if you are dealing with a good breeder. Also remember you should never have to pay extra to the breeder for registration papers. (You will however, have to pay the registering body a nominal fee to have the dog’s registration transferred to your name.)

THE BOTTOM LINE

The only way to prevent the millions of unwanted pets is to stop producing them! As long as people are willing to buy these puppies, the backyard breeders will continue to produce them. If more people would choose to do the research and buy from a reputable breeder or adopt a homeless pet from a shelter or rescue, it would help solve the problem of overcrowding in shelters and save the lives of many innocent victims.

Think before you get your next dog. Buy from a reputable breeder or adopt. Be part of the solution.