Don't Buy, Adopt

[P'cola Denali]

None of you really know me or my girlfriend but we are animal lovers and do animal rescue in our free time and I just wanted to remind all of you that there is alot of loving dogs and cats in shelters all over the US needing a good home for the Holidays. Instead of buying a dog with problems from a puppy mill get a animal that needs a home. The best pets come from the pound.

 

Today we pick up these two kittens making a dash across the road, well I did, she sat in the car and watched me get torn up in the forest by stickers. These are our newest family members. Both females.

 

Ps. We aren't a bunch of Peta sign willing liberals either before we catch shit for it.

 

Leo

[2000DV4.8]

Cute!

 

The cats ain't bad either.

 

Seriously though, I agree completely. All of our pets have either been from the shelter, or given to us by friends just before they went to the shelter. One of our old dogs, Max, my Mom rescued when she was volunteering at the SPCA. He was 7 months old, and a day away from being put down. She told them not to, and the next day she convinced my Dad to adopt him (this is before I was born). He was scared and skittish in the beginning (he had been beaten), but he eventually became the friendliest dog you'd ever meet. He ended up living till he was 15, which is damn good for an 80lb German Shepherd/Golden Retriever/Collie mix.

[P'cola Denali]

If you want to get in shape do rescue. You will get to being real fast.

[Darkanion]

So, it's ok to buy kids, but not pets??

 

Actually, I plan to adopt a dog from the local animal shelter. I just haven't made my way down there to look at them yet. It seems there's always something else that needs doing... Maybe Friday, if they're open. Everyone else will be going nuts in the stores. Maybe I can sneak in to the animal shelter and find a good dog who needs a home!

[mbrannon]

Having been a dog breeder in the past. I can say Bravo, I agree there are way too many pets in shelter, and brother let me tell you there are way too many puppy mills running in the good ole USA. If all you are looking for is a house pet, then the Shelter is your best bet. However, if you seek a dog for a specific task, a working dog if you will; you owe it to yourself to see what is really out there and available, take your time and research the bloodlines, titles and certifications. A good working dog should come from a line of titled dogs ( visit AKC or UKC to see the list of titles and meanings) that have a history of good hips and eyes (OFA and CERF). Beware of breedings in which neither parent are titled. Most quality breeders try and keep their females going to quality folks, some always get through and end up being brood bitches. These dogs even though they come from good breeding stock have not proved themselves in their line of work and are of considerably lesser value. Ask to see the pedigree, look to see how old the parents are, less than 2 years of age, run away. Be on the look out for early pick up, breeders that say the pups are good to go at 4 weeks or earlier, run away. The pups need the socialization that occures with the Mother in the last two weeks, as well as the second set of booster shots.

Geez I guess I started rambling. Bottom Line if your looking for a good friend for the family, you cannot go wrong with a shelter pup... If your looking for a duck dog, do your research and find a reputable breeder and don't choke when you see the price, its just a drop in the bucket.

[ALange]

Having been a dog breeder in the past. I can say Bravo, I agree there are way too many pets in shelter, and brother let me tell you there are way too many puppy mills running in the good ole USA. If all you are looking for is a house pet, then the Shelter is your best bet. However, if you seek a dog for a specific task, a working dog if you will; you owe it to yourself to see what is really out there and available, take your time and research the bloodlines, titles and certifications. A good working dog should come from a line of titled dogs ( visit AKC or UKC to see the list of titles and meanings) that have a history of good hips and eyes (OFA and CERF). Beware of breedings in which neither parent are titled. Most quality breeders try and keep their females going to quality folks, some always get through and end up being brood bitches. These dogs even though they come from good breeding stock have not proved themselves in their line of work and are of considerably lesser value. Ask to see the pedigree, look to see how old the parents are, less than 2 years of age, run away. Be on the look out for early pick up, breeders that say the pups are good to go at 4 weeks or earlier, run away. The pups need the socialization that occures with the Mother in the last two weeks, as well as the second set of booster shots.

Geez I guess I started rambling. Bottom Line if your looking for a good friend for the family, you cannot go wrong with a shelter pup... If your looking for a duck dog, do your research and find a reputable breeder and don't choke when you see the price, its just a drop in the bucket.

 

Lydia was a feral desert alley cat I found in Dubai. I won her over with food and water and we became fast friends. She loves to travel in car or plane, is perfectly well behaved in the house and sleeps with my daughter every night. America and all its bounty proved a delight to her and she declared Jihad on all of the rodents in our area to include rabbits her own size. I think the alley cats and mutts can be healthier than many pure breeds that are genetically inbred. My wife has some pure bred dustmop dogs that should have a Blue Cross Blue Shield family plan for their vet bills, irritable bowel, infected ears, bulimia, and general psychotic behavior.

[66nova]

None of you really know me or my girlfriend but we are animal lovers and do animal rescue in our free time and I just wanted to remind all of you that there is alot of loving dogs and cats in shelters all over the US needing a good home for the Holidays. Instead of buying a dog with problems from a puppy mill get a animal that needs a home. The best pets come from the pound.

 

Today we pick up these two kittens making a dash across the road, well I did, she sat in the car and watched me get torn up in the forest by stickers. These are our newest family members. Both females.

 

 

 

Ps. We aren't a bunch of Peta sign willing liberals either before we catch shit for it.

 

Leo

 

 

Bravo! It is great to see post like this out there. In the past I did spays and neuters for a shelter in Oklahoma. I had to get out of it. I was constantly calling family and friends and bringing dogs home. Two out of my current three dogs are rescue dogs. The third one I married into (she's a cool dog, but don't let my wife see this )

 

Although I am no longer working out of a shelter, I still try to stay involved with a number of rescue organizations. I am highly involved with 2, the Norcal Boxer Rescue and the Italian Greyhound rescue. It is highly rewarding, but heartbreaking how many awesome animals they pull out of horrible situations.

 

Below, I am putting a link to a page on my website that has links to a few rescue groups. Check them out if anyone is interested in a great dog.

 

Darkanion, if you are interested in a Boxer or Italian Greyhound you know where to find me.

 

Rescue Link

[SoCalChris]

The best animals definitely come from the pound. Like has been mentioned, they aren't usually inbred they way purebreds are, and they usually seem to have a better temperament.

 

My wife has some pure bred dustmop dogs that should have a Blue Cross Blue Shield family plan for their vet bills, irritable bowel, infected ears, bulimia, and general psychotic behavior.

 

I had no idea that animals could get bulimia...

[svensk]

Both of my dogs were rescue animals. My shepherd/rottie mix and my full blooded yellow lab are awesome dogs. I would never get a puppy anymore... the thought makes me ill (the work lol).

[Dana_15]

Cool, good job on taking them in to a good home! I have two cats, one a Himalayan and the other a Russian Blue. Both were from breeders but we got them both free because the owners were moving. G/L not getting more

[TN_Z71]

Very cool. Our 3 cats are all rescue animals and we foster animals for our local shelter when they get cramped for space.

 

Our local rescue shelter recently had to fight some "new neighbors" out here in the county that wanted to close them because the dogs "barked and made too much noise". The shelter's been here over 10 years and the people knew they were there when they decided to build/move in the area.

 

There were several meetings with the county commission and county zoning boards and for awhile it looked as if the shelter would be closed Oct. 1st. I guess there was enough public pressure put on the commission, because they reversed their decision and the shelter can now stay put.

[Nick The Great]

I've never understood why people pay money for an animal I guess I understand like gristlehead says, for hunting dogs and such, you don't always find those in a pound. But I know all sorts of people who buy these $800 dogs the size of toasters. They spend thousands of dollars on special dietetic foods and clothes and beds and crap. My dog was free, lived outside, and would eat Old Roy dog food (and roadkill).

 

My sister got a dog from the local Vet, he's a Newfoundland/Lab mix. They just paid for the shots, and to neuter him. He was just at the same Vet over the summer to get some more shots and stuff. The Vet said he was pleasantly surprised to see this dog alive! When he came in 3 years ago, he was skin and bones, in pretty rough shape.

 

When I move, my dog will be a shelter dog.

[ALange]

The best animals definitely come from the pound. Like has been mentioned, they aren't usually inbred they way purebreds are, and they usually seem to have a better temperament.

 

My wife has some pure bred dustmop dogs that should have a Blue Cross Blue Shield family plan for their vet bills, irritable bowel, infected ears, bulimia, and general psychotic behavior.

I had no idea that animals could get bulimia...

 

 

Okay, poetic license over applied. Actually they should get fined by the actors guild for their daily Linda Blair impersonations.

[Draenor]

If you do adopt, make sure they are a credited organization. Ask for proof, Tax ID, records, etc.

 

 

 

My old neighbor does this. the only problem is she does it to make a profit so she can use the funds for her own gains. Ive seen her(via local news paper) get several generous donations. She now has a new Suburban, civic for her son, remodeled the house, and about 6 four wheelers.

 

Strange before that, her old suburban was barely running,her sons old car was broke down, and she was so behind on her mortgage.

[merlin5577]

None of you really know me or my girlfriend but we are animal lovers and do animal rescue in our free time and I just wanted to remind all of you that there is alot of loving dogs and cats in shelters all over the US needing a good home for the Holidays. Instead of buying a dog with problems from a puppy mill get a animal that needs a home. The best pets come from the pound.

 

Today we pick up these two kittens making a dash across the road, well I did, she sat in the car and watched me get torn up in the forest by stickers. These are our newest family members. Both females.

 

Ps. We aren't a bunch of Peta sign willing liberals either before we catch shit for it.

 

Leo

 

Leo,

 

I just want to say thank you. This has got to be one of the best reminders in a long time. Every pet my family has ever owned has been adopted, I just cant get over how someone could get rid of such nice, clean, beautiful animals.

 

Thank you.

 

-Robert

 

My current 2 cats and dog;