The American Humane Society estimates that more than 15 million, healthy, friendly dogs, cats, puppies and kittens will be put to sleep in shelters this year because nobody wants them. There are however, two important things that you can do to help end these needless slaughters. Spay/neuter your pets to prevent unwanted animals, and opt to adopt from your local animal shelter or rescue. Shelters and rescues are filled with cats, dogs, bunnies, birds, ferrets, and even horses and goats. These animals all have one thing in common, they are in need of a loving home. Reasons to Opt to Adopt -You will be saving a life. By adopting an animal from the shelter that is one more animal in this world given a second chance, one less to be marked as destroyed, and one pet that will love you forever. -Shelter pets are current on vaccines, tests, and spay/neuter. Puppies and kittens that are too young to be spayed/neutered are usually given a voucher for a free spay/neuter. All you have to do is pay the adoption fee which can range from $25-$80. Common Myths About Shelter Adoptions "They are all sick" -This just isnt true, but it is the chance you take when you adopt, or buy any animal. Nobody can guarantee the health of any animal. You will find many pets abandoned in shelters are not give up due to behavior problems, but due to pet owners not having the time or energy to train and redirect behavior problems when they arise. The majority of shelters and rescues have a staff of volunteers and foster families dedicated to redirecting improper behavior problems prior to adoption. The second most popular reason pets are given up is because the family is moving, while "he is just too big for our home" is ranked 3rd. The majority are strays that were picked up by animal control or rescuers. "All shelters have are adult dogs and cats." This isnt true, kittens and puppies go very quickly in shelters. Give some thought to the adult adoption. More healthy adult dogs and cats are put to sleep in shelters then puppies and kittens. These adult animals are not a surprise, what you see is what you get. You will already know how big the animal is, they already know basic commands, and do not need the constant supervision and training that goes along with owning a kitten or puppy. Adults are all caught up on vaccines and are spayed/neutered prior to adoption. "But we want a Siamese or Golden Retriever." Believe it or not, pure bred pets make up nearly 40% of the population in shelters. Do not be surprised when you walk into a shelter and find a litter of Siamese kittens, an adult Persian or a beautiful black lab. Being pure bred does not make any animal immune to shelter life. You may also want to take the opportunity to contact the many breed rescues out there. For every pure bred animal is a rescue dedicated to the welfare of that particular breed. Check with your local vet, groomer, shelter, or look to the Internet for a listing of breed rescues

Animal Cruelty Cruelty to animals is a serious matter. Like you and me, animals feel pain. Most cruelty cases happen to animals who are too trusting or defenseless. They squeal, shriek and yeowl, but are often never heard by anyone but themselves. Think about what the animal went through at the hands of a merciless criminal. Anyone who is caught committing acts of abuse, cruelty and neglect to an animal deserves to be prosecuted. YOU can help bring justice to the animals who are needlessly abused. REPORT ANIMAL ABUSE TO THE POLICE OR ANIMAL CONTROL IN YOUR AREA.

 

A Puppy Mill Dog's Plea

You finally found us, we hoped that you would, Our mommy is gone now, back deep in the woods. She was taken in darkness, so noone would see, Or hear her weak cries, or her very last plea. He walked toward the woods, with a gun in one hand, And a rope round her neck, all this carefully planned. No more puppies for her, she's too weak you see, So they'll shoot her at midnight and then she'll be free. Free from darkness and cages, and hunger and fright, Free from cold winter nights when she just prayed for light. This dear dog once was known as the best, Now cruelly discarded to make room for the next. Who will replace her and continue the cruel deed, Of producing baby puppies for the pet shops need. I sure hope you're reading, because maybe you would see, That all of our actions live in eternity. You do know that God is watching above, And when the time comes, when you walk to the gate, And knock at the entrance to be given your fate. Remember these words, please remember them well, Those who harm dogs will go directly to Hell... But if one by one, they are taken home, One day we'll awake to find there are none. Please rescue just one, it's such a small deed, But until that day, if it ever shall be, Rescue one, rescue two until they're all free... ~ None needing rescue, none left to buy, None cold and hungry, none left to cry.

 

 

http://brightlion.com/InHope/InHope_en.aspx