Progressive Wednesday

9 Lives in Dog Years: Adopt

Here are some chilling facts. According to the Humane Society of the United States:

• There are 6,000 to 8,000 animal shelters in the U.S.
• Between six and eight million dogs and cats are put in those shelters every year.
• More than 25% of sheltered dogs are purebred
• More than half of sheltered dogs and cats are euthanized. That’s three to four million animals every year.
• Less than 30% of sheltered dogs are reunited with their owners.
• Less than 5% of cats are reunited.

There are a lot of organizations out there, such as the Animal Friends Rescue Project, that are doing great things to lower those numbers, but it remains a huge problem. I won’t ask everyone who doesn’t have one to go out and adopt a dog tomorrow. In fact, I’m a firm believer that those who aren’t committed to owning a pet shouldn’t have one. That doesn’t work well for either party. But if you are considering getting a puppy, adopt a rescue dog. Don’t buy from puppy mills.

One might think that the puppy with the floppy ears and adorable head tilt that screams, “Take me home!” came from the pet store. But if you trace it back a bit further, you might be appalled at where that puppy came from. The Humane Society has provided these guidelines for buying a puppy, what to look for, and what to avoid.

After you’ve checked their guidelines, ask the Humane Society to hook you up with a local animal shelter. They are more than happy, eager, delighted even, to help you get adopt a dog that would otherwise be put down.

If purebred dogs are your cup of liver-flavored tea, find a local rescue group that deals with a specific breed, i.e. greyhounds. Most greyhounds are euthanized after their rather short two-year racing career. Most areas have a greyhound rescue program that you can contact. These aren’t just racing dogs: they also make wonderful pets. They’re smart, friendly, and have a great temperament. How do I know this? Like with so many other things, because my wife said so.

Photo courtesy of this greyhound rescuer