Stop Puppy Mills.....

It's not always pretty! I am one of the lucky ones. This is how I looked after getting showered and shaved and placed in my foster home through Small Paws Rescue. I almost looked like a Poodle back then. My foster mom told me that I was really a Bichon Frise, and as my hair grew I started to look like the other fluffs in the house........soon to be my brothers. Because I was so cute and a real character, mom failed fostering and adopted me. I am now in my own forever home with 2 bother fluffs and my human mom. I really have it good now! Charlie

Aren't I a handsome boy now? But I want you to know it's not always pretty. Look at the photos below to see how some fluffs look when they are lucky like me to be rescued from shelters and Puppy Mills. Those puppy mills are awful places. Take a peak at the photos below. These cousins of mine are lucky like me, they were rescued like I was. The good folks at Small Paws Rescue, will clean them up, mend thier illnesses and hurts and find them a great home......just like me.

All the fluffs are not as lucky as us. We need your assistance in stopping the Puppy Mills. Read the following story so you know what it is all about......then please take a moment and sign the online petition to help stop these horrible Puppy Mills.

This is an example of how some fluffs look when they come out of the puppy mills.

Don't be sad for them they got out......but please do not support these awful places.

Dear Friends,
I have just read and signed the petition: "Stop Puppy Mills - Five Things You Can Do".
Please take a moment to read about this important issue, and join me in signing the petition. It takes just 30 seconds, but can truly make a difference. We are trying to reach 25000 signatures - please sign here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/747817839
Once you have signed, you can help even more by asking your friends and family to sign as well.
Thank you!

Maxine

Volunteer, Small Paws Rescue

Thinking of getting a dog this year? We've all been tempted by the cute puppy in the pet store window. But before you give in to the temptation and buy that furry bundle of joy, there are some things you should know.

For one, that puppy most likely came from a large-scale, substandard commercial breeding operation, commonly known as a puppy mill. Puppy mills usually house dogs in overcrowded and often unsanitary conditions, without adequate veterinary care, food, water and socialization. The breeding stocks at puppy mills (possibly your new puppy's mom and dad) are bred as often as possible in order to increase profits. In fact, the living conditions and treatment of these dogs can be downright horrific.

But you can help. Pledge to stop puppy mills by being a responsible consumer and pet parent.

THE PLEDGE

I pledge to do what I can to stop puppy mills by being a responsible consumer and pet parent. I will be mindful of the following guidelines:

1. Not to Buy From a Pet Store: That puppy who charmed you through the pet shop window has most likely come from a large-scale, substandard commercial breeding facility, commonly known as a puppy mill. In these facilities, parent dogs are caged and bred as often as possible, and give birth to puppies who could have costly medical problems you might not become aware of until after you bring your new pet home.

2. To Make Adoption My First Option: If you're looking to make a puppy part of your family, check your local shelters first. Not only will you be saving a life, but you will ensure that your money is not going to support a puppy mill. There are many dogs waiting for homes in shelters all across the country--and an estimated one in four is a purebred!

3. To Know How to Recognize a Responsible Breeder: If you've exhausted your options for adopting and are choosing to buy from a breeder, remember that responsible breeders have their dogs' interests in mind. They are not simply interested in making a sale, but in placing their pups in good homes. A responsible breeder should screen you as thoroughly as you screen them!

4. To See Where My Puppy Was Born and Bred: One sign that you are speaking to an unscrupulous breeder is that they will not let you see the facility in which your puppy was born. Always ask to see the breeding premises and to meet both parents (or at least the mother) of the puppy you want to take home.

5. Not to Buy a Puppy from the Internet: Buying a puppy from the Internet is as risky as buying from a pet store. If you buy a puppy based on a picture and a phone call, you have no way of seeing the puppy's breeding premises or meeting his parents. And those who sell animals on the Internet are not held to the Animal Welfare Act regulations--and so are not inspected by the USDA.