| Puppies seem to be in abundance when it comes to ill | | | | abuse, and violence those dogs can be trained and |
| equipped breeders or people that have lost interest in | | | | given therapy that result in perfect behaviors and |
| them. Before you purchase that puppy in the pet | | | | temperaments. Here are some tips when going to |
| store window or call a home concerning an ad in the | | | | your local Animal Shelter to interview, and yes it is |
| local paper about buying a puppy, I implore you to | | | | necessary that you interview your local shelter! Not |
| please go visit your local animal shelter or rescue | | | | just for your benefit but for your potential canine |
| organization and adopt a puppy! Too many homeless | | | | forever friend. |
| and stray animals of all ages are without good and | | | | Very important questions that should always be |
| loving homes. It is an epidemic of mass proportions | | | | asked are: How they take care of the dogs. Do they |
| the number of stray dogs in our country that are | | | | get more than just food and water? Does the animal |
| without a forever family to love and care for them! | | | | shelter place emphasis on socialization? Do they allow |
| Most people want that pedigreed, brand new, and | | | | the animals to move around and interact with the |
| raised from birth puppy. | | | | other dogs? |
| A pedigree does not ensure that your puppy or dog | | | | There are a few things to look for when you visit |
| will be well mannered, any more healthy, or any well | | | | shelters. First of those are if you walk into a shelter |
| trained than a dog of mixed breed or a dog without | | | | and you see puppies in cramped kennels or cages |
| papers. Shelter dogs are just as if not more well | | | | and this is where they have spent their entire stay |
| mannered and trained. Many of them get excellent | | | | while at the shelter, you will not want to adopt ANY |
| and top of the line veterinarian care because many | | | | dogs from this place and you should perhaps report |
| veterinarians volunteer their services and care to local | | | | the shelter! Dogs that are kept in cramped, dirty, etc. |
| shelters. It is a myth that dogs and puppies of | | | | are being conditioned into furthering fear of the |
| shelters all come from acts of violence or sickness. | | | | outside world, trauma, stress and anxiety disorders, |
| Not true at all! Some of them are there because | | | | and other fears. |
| owners thought they were ready for a pet but | | | | If a shelter does not allow their dogs to be exercised |
| found out it was more time than they wanted to | | | | or to be let outdoors, then you should ask how it is |
| share. | | | | they are allowed to enjoy physical activity and |
| Some reasons are owners see the "puppy" and when | | | | stimulation. Also you will want to know exactly how |
| the "puppy" is no longer a puppy and they are ill | | | | much and how often human contact is received. To |
| equipped to care for the dog then they cast it off to | | | | add to your query when interviewing a shelter is to |
| a shelter or let it fend on it's own. Puppies are even | | | | ask what services such as pet insurance, |
| brought in because an owner's dog became | | | | complimentary vet visits, obedience classes, and do |
| impregnated and they could not care for the litter or | | | | they newsletters following adoption on care and tips |
| give the litter away. Even in those cases of neglect, | | | | for introduction to their new home, etc. |