Pets and The People Who Love Them
Published 3:00 pm Wednesday, December 18, 2019
- Chevy is a healthy, 8-year-old German shepherd who is confused by all the strange sounds and smells at the shelter. This sweet gentleman is loving and gentle and needs a forever home.
Last week, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced findings from a national survey revealing 1 in 4 people who bought a puppy from a pet store or who know someone who did ended up with a puppy who became severely ill. Nearly half, or 45 percent, reported the sick puppy died.
“At a time of the year when many people might be thinking about adding a puppy to their family, it is important to understand the risks of buying a puppy from a pet store,” said Jennie Lintz, director of puppy mill initiatives for the ASPCA. “The results of this survey are sobering — we don’t want anyone who was expecting to get a healthy, happy dog to experience the heartbreak that comes with purchasing a sick puppy.”
If you’re considering adding a puppy to your family, the ASPCA offers the following tips:
• Visit your local shelter or rescue organization and speak to an adoption counselor. An animal shelter is invested in the well-being of its animals, and many are committed to creating matches that take animal temperament and home environment into account. One benefit of adopting from a shelter is the staff can tell you about the animal’s behavior and make the best match for you and your family;
• Find a responsible breeder. If you decide to work with a breeder, visit one who loves and cares for his or her own dogs and who gave your future puppy the best start possible; and
• Avoid purchasing from a pet store. Puppies sold in pet stores come from commercial breeding operations that prioritize profit over welfare. Dogs in these facilities spend most of their lives in cramped cages, with minimal human interaction. They are bred repeatedly, receive inadequate health care and can suffer from health and behavioral issues.
To learn more about how to find your perfect canine match and avoid supporting cruelty, visit www.BarredFromLove.org.
To adopt a dog or cat, go to the Athens-Limestone Animal Shelter at l1701 U.S. 72 in Athens (behind Limestone Veterinary Clinic), visit our Facebook page or call us at 256-771-7889.
