What Can We Do to Help Domesticated Animals?

[jicaji1]

Well, I think one of the most important things we can do to help domesticated animals, i.e., dogs/cats, aside from neutering, is to go to your local pound or go to an animal rescue group (ASPCA, PAWS, local Humane Society, to name a few) and not go to local pet shops, or pets available in mall pet shops....many of which get their animals from sub standard breeders or worse yet, puppy mills!!  Also, remembering a mixed breed or older animal is jut as lovable and wonderful as a pure breed and, if you're set on a pure breed, they too often wind up in shelters and pounds and need rescue.  These sweet animals have a limited time before being put to death, as in a kill shelter which can only keep them usually up to 10 days.  They just want a forever home and to be loved.  Just my 2 cents.

[jfrancl]

Adopting a pet from your local pound or ASPCA or Humane Society of course would be the best route to take.  There are so many overcrowded facilities and unfortunately euthanizing them after 10 days is a necessity.  But there is another issue, there still are all those adorable designer pets at the pet shops that also need homes.  I understand the supply and demand here but, I personally dont see that ceasing.  Breeders and puppy mill owners know that we fall in love with those adorable little faces, I admit, I do too!  It seems to be a catch 22.  They all need homes.

[jicaji1]

Adopting a pet from your local pound or ASPCA or Humane Society of course would be the best route to take.  There are so many overcrowded facilities and unfortunately euthanizing them after 10 days is a necessity.  But there is another issue, there still are all those adorable designer pets at the pet shops that also need homes.  I understand the supply and demand here but, I personally dont see that ceasing.  Breeders and puppy mill owners know that we fall in love with those adorable little faces, I admit, I do too!  It seems to be a catch 22.  They all need homes.

It is a Catch 22.....the puppy mills depend on that aspect, unfortunately.  THe more people buy rather than rescue, the more these pitiful puppies from the mills will be bred, and those who survive the mills will then go to some of the less than stellar pet shops who support the mills. Goes on and on sadly. Meanwhile, the abondoned, mixed breeds and senior animals just WAIT in the shelters and pounds for either a home or certain death. 

[maryannlewis]

Well, I think one of the most important things we can do to help domesticated animals, i.e., dogs/cats, aside from neutering, is to go to your local pound or go to an animal rescue group (ASPCA, PAWS, local Humane Society, to name a few) and not go to local pet shops, or pets available in mall pet shops....many of which get their animals from sub standard breeders or worse yet, puppy mills!! ...   They just want a forever home and to be loved.  Just my 2 cents.

I agree jicaji1!  Many breeds also have their own rescue groups who can help find you an appropriate pet.  My sister adopted a puppy mill puppy from a rescue organization, she has turned out to be a smart, wonderful, loving dog.  I think sometimes puppy mill dogs have issues from not being rescued soon enough, and can be wonderful pets.  And SOOOO much better to get them from a rescue organization!  It means someone stepped in, and hopefully one less puppy mill. 

[jicaji1]

Maryann:

My daughter volunteers with a local shelter/pound, and if you could see the sheer fear and terror in the otherwise sweet faces of these animals waiting to be rescued, it would break your heart.  Often times I can't bear it and have to wait in the car.  When we can, we take a dog/cat to a "foster" home when their "time is up" just to give it another chance of rescue.  It really is heartbreaking...but, one animal at a time.

[AliceWitt]

“Chicagoland’s Senior Pet Adoption Option,”

Young At Heart Pet Rescue is a volunteer-based nonprofit that rescues, vets, fosters, and re-homes dogs and cats ages 5 and up. All Young At Heart pets come from Illinois municipal pounds with a high rate of euthanasia among older pets.

Young At Heart takes in companion animals “too old” to be adopted from traditional shelters, providing them with a real chance at a forever home with a loving family.

A 501(c)3 no-kill organization, Young At Heart receives no federal or state funding and relies solely on private donations, fundraisers, and grants to support its work. Its mission is threefold:

• To find a home for every adoptable dog and cat that comes through its doors

• To educate the public on the benefits of adopting an older pet

• To reduce the euthanasia rate among older pets in Illinois

http://www.yahpetrescue.com./

I have always gotten my pets from rescue shelters, but due to the death of one of my cats (Achoo) at 7 years of age I was looking for a companion for his sister (Kali). The shelters told me either a kitten less than a year old or a male cat over 5. They, of course didn't have any over 5 year old cats. That's when I came across Young At Heart Pet Rescue. In my area their cats and dogs are kept mainly in foster homes, but they have fairs and even rent space at a local Petsmart to show their animals. It is run  by all volunteers and prospective buyers can come in and lounge on the floor and just play with them. It is a great way to see their distinctive personalities and to make decisions about their "getting along" with others. Adoption fees are a little less than the shelters. Right now they are running a 50% off sale on all black or mostly black cats and dogs. Now that's something I have never heard of before.

[Lois Ann (lannml)]

Adopting a pet from your local pound or ASPCA or Humane Society of course would be the best route to take.  There are so many overcrowded facilities and unfortunately euthanizing them after 10 days is a necessity.  But there is another issue, there still are all those adorable designer pets at the pet shops that also need homes.  I understand the supply and demand here but, I personally dont see that ceasing.  Breeders and puppy mill owners know that we fall in love with those adorable little faces, I admit, I do too!  It seems to be a catch 22.  They all need homes.

jfrancl - all of our cats that we have adopted -- or more correctly have adopted us have come from shelters!  We've been successful in adopting adult cats with all of them over the years having brought great joy to our home.  I really encourage folks to give shelter pets a chance to be loved and bring love to their people!

[Lois Ann (lannml)]

“Chicagoland’s Senior Pet Adoption Option,”

Young At Heart Pet Rescue is a volunteer-based nonprofit that rescues, vets, fosters, and re-homes dogs and cats ages 5 and up. All Young At Heart pets come from Illinois municipal pounds with a high rate of euthanasia among older pets. Right now they are running a 50% off sale on all black or mostly black cats and dogs. Now that's something I have never heard of before.

Alice, one of my vets & cat whisperer, tells me that black cats and dogs are the most difficult to find homes for.  It is not unusual for some shelters to suspend adoptions of black cats right around Halloween to avoid having a it adopted by someone with other plans...so sad...

[jfrancl]

Of Course, Lois Ann, I'm all for adopting pets from pounds, etc, they need homes desperately.  I often wonder what would happen to all the pet shop animals if we boycotted them.  Perhaps they would end up in pounds too.  I dont think think we as a whole will stop buying pet shop, pets entirely, which leaves us in that catch 22.

[pwatson17]

I think it is like any other cause.  If we get the word out more to stop buying pet store animals, there will be no more need for puppy mills.  In my area you can hardly find a pet store with cats or dogs.  The last two I knew of closed a couple years ago.  Probably because people would protest outside of the store and educate people on why they should not buy petstore animals.  Also in my town, our shelter has just become the 2nd No Kill shelter in the state.  Because of a wonderful group of volunteers who work with the shelter to get all animals placed, we are going to have a great year!  It was a struggle to get the shelter and city council to agree to it, but it was worth it to know, that only the extremely unadoptable animals will face a needle.  The other 90-94% will have forever homes, foster homes, or rescue homes.

[jicaji1]

That's WONDERFUL Pwatson....that's the thing.  If the demand goes down and people become educated on why they should avoid these places, the shops will have to close.....the puppy mills become less and less utilized and if they can't make money.....close.

If people could only see those puppy mills and the awful environment these poor animals have to live in (if they continue to live) I can't see how they could walk into a pet shop and purchase a dog or cat.  The incredible animals waiting to be adopted in shelters and no kill shelters, as well as kill shelters is heartbreaking, especially when you look into their eyes.  The eyes say it all...........

It really bothers me that people who call themselves "animal lovers" will go to breeders for "designer" dogs and pure breeds only and ignore the pitiful animals who have no homes through no fault of their own..... who just want to be loved.....and face certain death if not adopted.

[jfrancl]

I agree but all the puppies and dogs in puppy mills need to be saved too.  The females are nothing more than breeding machines.  It's heart wrenching to see both, animals in pounds and those in puppy mills.  Too many people are not responsible and not neutering their pets or letting them run loose to breed.   

[jicaji1]

Rescue organizations, i.e., PAWS helps with rescues from puppy mills.  They are cleaned up, taken to the vet for treatment and adopted or fostered by families who will love them..........

[pwatson17]

Normally, if rescue groups or animal rights groups hear about a puppy mill, they will go out and inspect it.  If conditions are bad, the will confiscate the animals.  The problem is, puppy mill folks hid pretty well.  Most are out in the country with no neighbors, so it is hard to catch them.  I still feel that if they didn't have a venue to sell the animals, there would be no reason to raise more and more of them.

[jfrancl]

That's absolutely true p, unfortunately people love the little faces at the pet shops and unfortunately again, I dont see that stopping.  I wish we could all boycot pet shops but  a lot of folks just fall in love with designer dogs.  If they would just go to pounds etc and see those sad, needy faces they would melt, I do. There are just too many homeless dogs and cats out there and not enough people that want to adopt them.  And neutering and spaying also plays a big part here.