As Seen On Oprah! Join The Fight! Puppy Mill Awareness Day - Lancaster County, PA

Please note that the embedded video displays actual animals in puppy mills. Viewer discretion is advised.

On September 20, 2008, thousands of people will be joining together in the heart of one of the biggest producing puppy mill areas in the United States - Lancaster County, PA. As aired on Oprah, join the fight and support the thousands of dogs and puppies that are kenneled and bred in the most horrifying situations! Imagine little food, no or little medical care, living in small cages filled with feces and urine. Be the voice for these helpless souls where the greed of money to the puppy mill owners are the only thing they want.

This anti-puppy mill rally will be the biggest in the country and can not be missed! Awareness Day is almost 5 years old and the only thing that has changed for the mill dogs are the names of the people who are supposed to be protecting them.

Special guests appearances include: AnnMarie Lucas of Animal Plant; Animal Precinct, Rescue Ink, Musician, Gary Hennessy, Rikki Rockett, and Melanie Martel. In addition, the day's events will include Vaccine Clinic courtesy of Dog's Den , Rescue Parade, vendors, plus much more. Help spread the word and let the world know "Pennsylvania's dirty little secret."

Just remember, ANY DOG SOLD THROUGH A PET STORE come from these mills or similiar in another state - no matter what any shop owner tells you! Do NOT support this cruel industry as every puppy purchased gives the mill owner a reason to produce more and more!

For more information, please go to: http://www.awarenessday.org/ or email at: awarenessday@aol.com

Paws To The Rescue!

As we have reported of the fate of dogs that are placed in high kill shelters that are being euthanized by the thousands each day across the country, it's the determination of some special non-kill rescue organizations that truly make a difference, especially to everyone involved.

For the last few weeks, I have been personally volunteering a few hours of my time to a rescue organization called "Paws To The Rescue". Based in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, Paws To The Rescue pulls animals scheduled for euthanasia out of "kill shelters" and gets these pets into a temporary, but safe, foster or boarding facility until they can find other approved "non kill" rescue organizations to take over the task of housing and finding them a great home. Once it is determined what other rescue organizations will participate, Paws To The Rescue then provides the necessary vaccinations prior to the transport, and then finds volunteer drivers so they can coordinate the transportation route to the pet's final rescue organizaton.

The start of this rescue's transport (a.k.a. freedom train) usually begins in South Carolina where Paws To The Rescue is based out of. Between the help of many volunteers who live locally through the route of where the "freedom train" is passing through, each driver only drives for approximately one hour until they meet another transportation driver at a specific meet up location and then pass the dogs along to the next driver. This continues on until the final leg of the transport is at the doors of the rescue organization who will then provide all the necessary and additional care until those dogs are adopted.

So, on a leisurely Sunday afternoon when I get notice that the "freedom train" will be passing through my area, I graciously volunteer a few hours of my time (and gas) to this well organized rescue group. Driving approximately 3-4 dogs at a time, I meet up with the prior driver, take the dogs and then drive usally an hour north of me to another meet up location where I meet another volunteer. As easily as this is, nothing is more rewarding when you are taking part in helping an animal in need, no matter if it's only an hour. Having the opportunity to meet and give some needed love and deserved attention to these sweet souls during a quiet hour drive is just priceless.

If you live in the eastern states of South Carolina to upstate New York and would like more information on becoming a "freedom train" volunteer, please visit their Shelter Home Page or contact Jen Nall directly by email to get on her freedom train call out list. Another great rescue organization looking for volunteer drivers in the same areas is "Get Shelter Pets". You can contact Rhonda Sims by email as well.

Having To Say Goodbye - Doing It Right!

Unfortunately, some people may have to experience surrendering a pet to a shelter or rescue because of numerous, heart wrenching reasons. Although it is very upsetting for the owner (or entire family), it is more stressful to the pet. Dogs in nature are pack animals and when his/her pack is split up, dogs become quite confused and will experience some form of anxiety. Whether it is unforeseen circumstances on your part, a pet's behavior that you can't handle or simply finding out you don't have the time and dedication to provide to that pet anymore, the most HUMANE way of doing it is YOU FINDING THE RIGHT place for that pet!

Here are a few suggestions to help you re-home your pet in a safe & loving environment:

• DO NOT drop off your pet at any local shelter! Many municipal shelters are "kill" shelters meaning if that dog is NOT adopted by someone within 3-7 days, it will be euthinized (killed) even if the dog has nothing wrong with it. Because municipal shelters are on "budgets", they only have enough of money to house a dog for a short period of time. Ask shelter staff what their policies are if a dog is not adopted within a period of time! If they tell you that the dog will be killed, WALK OUT WITH THE DOG as the dog truly does not deserve this.
• Many private "non-kill" rescues and shelters are listed on Petfinder.com You can call or email any of the ones in your area for assistance. They will usually ask for a small donation to take the pet from you. However, since they will be housing the dog in a foster home, feeding it and in some cases, getting any or all medical treatments necessary, it is only a small contribution to helping that pet find a good home. Also, private rescues will screen and do all reference checks on all potential adoptees to ensure your pet is placed only the right, loving home.
• If your dog is a pure breed, many breeds have their own rescue organizations and are ran privately by volunteers that know and understand the breed. Simply do an internet search by putting (BREED NAME) RESCUE (YOUR STATE) in the search field to find your local breed rescue.
• Ask family, neighbors or friends if they would like to adopt your pet with a simple phone call. Also, emailing your contacts can work very successfully! Most people now crosspoint emails with their friends and family by a click of a button.
• Make up flyers and post them! It's the ol' fashion way, but can be highly successful!
• Most newspapers offer free classified advertising on anything you are offering for free. Contact your local paper as it can potentially reach thousands of readers in one day.
• Use Craig's List! It's free! Simply click on your state (on the right) and then post in your state's "Community Pet" section and also under the "For Sale - Free Items". It is very effective!

Please note: If you are surrendering your pet because of behavioral issues only, make sure to disclose all information to anyone interested in taking your pet, even if it has nipped or bitten someone. The last thing you would want is to put someone else in jeopardy, especially a child.

Lastly, when surrendering your pet to a stranger, get some background information from that person and do reference checks! Just don't hand over your dog to just anyone. The last thing you would want is to find out that your pet was not being properly cared for or perhaps neglected or abused. It's just not fair to the animal as they simply deserve a second chance. Having your pet live out the rest of their life in a happy and safe environment with someone who is going to appreciate and love them is the best thing you can do when having to say "goodbye".

Finding a Puppy - Consider Rescue!

Since we are simply advocates of rescue, our slogan is “Don’t Shop – Adopt! With so many puppies and adult dogs that need loving homes that have absolutely nothing wrong with them except starving for the need of love and companionship of an understanding human being, many are sadly euthanized simply because no one adopted them fast enough. What is further heartbreaking is when a pet is surrendered into a county or local shelter; many people do not even ask if that particular shelter is a "kill" or "non-kill" shelter. Fortunately for only approximately a quarter of these puppies and dogs surrendered into these "kill" shelters, they are pulled out right before they are scheduled to be euthanized from supporting non-kill rescue groups that are committed to finding the right home for each of them. With many privately funded and all volunteer groups all over the country, it's almost guaranteed that you can find a specific breed rescue right in your own tri-state area. Therefore, if you have done your research on which breed(s) would be a good fit for you and your lifestyle, we suggest then doing a web search on: (PUT BREED NAME HERE) RESCUE (YOUR STATE HERE) to find a breed specific rescue in your neighborhood. Although, in some cases, the adoption can be a lengthy process, it is, however, a highly rewarding experience because you have now been "matched" up with a great puppy/dog that suits your needs and lifestyle and furthermore, most pets that come from rescues are already up to date on all shots, spayed or neutered, housebroken, and have been temperament tested. For other great places to start your search, especially for a specific breed, age, and by a tri-state area, go to Petfinder.com or visit your local ASPCA/SPCA.