CAPS vs. Bauck (Video)

This video tells the story of how CAPS, the Companion Animal Protection Society, brought down a large-scale puppy mill in Minnesota. While graphic at times, it tells the story of the all too common practices taking place all over the country. When looking for a pet, please consider adoption from a local animal shelter, animal rescue or Humane Society.

Home for the Holidays

Are you thinking of adopting a dog this holiday season? There are several things to consider before you bring a new pet home.

First of all, the holidays are a hectic time and most people have had their regular routines derailed by parties, shopping and the typical holiday hoopla. Will you have time to properly introduce a dog into your household? What about effectively housebreaking a puppy? Can you commit to taking a dog out every couple of hours to do its business? Not to mention, the temptation of Christmas trees, ornaments and miscellaneous decorations, as well as the confusion of new people and interesting smells venturing into and throughout your home.

There are costs to consider as well.  Adoption fees, vet visits, dog food, chew toys, bedding, crates – these all add up and many costs are incurred on a monthly basis after you finalize your adoption.  Can you manage these additional costs at this time?

Do you have other dogs? Adding a new pet to the household means adjustment for everyone. Your existing pet will need time to adjust to its new housemate, and your new pet will need time to acclimate to its new role in your family’s pack. Will a busy holiday season allow that to happen?

Right now, the ASPCA, the Humane Society, and dog food companies are all running public service announcements about their holiday campaigns, bringing a shelter pet home for the holidays,  adopting an animal in need. As a firm believer in adoption and someone whose heartstrings are pulled ruthlessly with these PSAs, I also know that a dog adopted without the proper forethought, is a dog that ends up being returned to a shelter shortly after the holidays are over. Not only is this hard on the family that had its heart set on a new dog, but it is heartbreaking and confusing for a dog that just wants to find its forever home.

If you are seriously considering adoption during this holiday season, talk to one of the experts at your local dog shelter or rescue organization. They can help you determine if the timing is right for you, as well as help you find a pet that is the perfect fit for you and your family.

If you can’t adopt a pet, but would like to help, consider donating to a local shelter. In addition to cash donations, items like newspaper, puppy pads, blankets, dog beds and dog food are welcome and much needed. If you can’t offer a forever home, but can do something temporarily, consider fostering a pet. This helps with socialization, training and allows the pet a chance to live in a homey environment until they are adopted.

Shelter animals don’t know that the holidays are upon us, but they do know when they find their forever homes – which is the greatest gift you could ever give them.

Missouri Votes YES! on Prop B

Today is the beginning of a new life for dogs in the state of Missouri! Yesterday, Missouri voters stepped up to vote Yes! on Prop B. This watershed vote will change the lives of millions of defenseless animals in a state known as the Puppy Mill Capital of the US.

Prop B will enhance Missouri’s existing laws by restricting commercial breeders to keeping no more than 50 female dogs for breeding, increasing the size of dogs’ living spaces and requiring commercial breeders to visit a veterinarian annually.

Prop B, which applies to those keeping fewer than 10 breeding dogs, requires that dogs be fed daily, bred no more than twice every 18 months, and housed indoors with unrestricted access to an outdoor exercise area. Operators not adhering to these requirements face misdemeanor charges, fines and possible jail time.

These measures make sense, right? You would think that things such as feeding a dog daily, vet visits or providing a place to exercise would be a given. While I believe dogs should be treated as family, not like puppy producing, cash machines, these common sense standards will hopefully improve the quality of life for those dogs that don’t have an alternative.

Thank you, Missouri voters for standing up for animals! This was an amazing victory that will cause big and much needed change!

Related Articles

• Ed Sayres: Passage of Prop B Marks Historic Moment for Missouri’s Dogs (huffingtonpost.com)

Exercise your right…

Today is election day, so please take the time to exercise your right as an American and vote! In addition to the issues facing many of our fellow Americans, there are several important policy issues related to animal protection in the 2010 election. Key states include Arizona, California, Missouri and North Dakota.

In Arizona: No! on Prop 109 – this is a special interest power grab to block future wildlife protection ballot initiatives

In California: Yes! on Prop 21 – this measure would create a stable adequate source of funding to maintain state parks and beaches, and promote wildlife conservation and habitat protection

In Missouri: Yes! in Prop B – Missouri is the puppy mill capital of America and Prop B will stop puppy mill abuses in Missouri by establishing common sense standards for the proper care of dogs.

In North Dakota: Yes! on Measure 2 – Measure 2 would outlaw “canned hunting” operations.

For comprehensive information on these issues, visit Wayne Pacelle’s blog at the Humane Society.

Voters in Arizona, Missouri, California and North Dakota – our animals need you to speak for them. Please vote today!