Talk with your vet. In almost all cases, your vet will advise you to spay or neuter your pet.  It’ll be less expensive to keep your pet, too. In some counties it costs $100 to license an intact pet but only $25 to license a neutered pet.  And if your pet runs away, it costs less to spring a neutered pet than an intact one.

More importantly, you can rest assured that your pet won’t contribute to the over population of pets.

I’ll never forget this one day on the beach when a woman told me she wanted to breed her English Mastiff bitch to another English Mastiff and had hoped that there would be an “accidental” breeding at the beach because “she wanted her sons to witness the birth.” I suggested that she take them to the Maternity Ward a few miles away and ask if one of the women would mind having additional people present to witness the birth.  Why settle for the miracle of canine birth when you can see the real thing!?   I didn’t get more graphic, but I think she understood that I thought she was a raving idiot!

First, a professional breeder carefully selects pairings. (Unless their idiot house guest thinks a rickety old baby gate is sufficient to keep a dog away from a bitch in heat.)   Second, if you bought the dog for under $5000, you probably don’t have “breeding quality”, but “pet quality”. It’s not something the breeder chose to keep. The dog should probably be altered.

But, like Dennis Miller on a rant, I’ve digressed.  Here’s what I want you to see. Look at these numbers posted by ONE shelter in Los Angeles and decide for yourself.

But these rescues need help. Many of them are small operations that are strapped for cash.  They get by, because they believe in their mission. They step in and help those pets whose families for one reason or another chose to not honor their commitment to give the animal a forever home.  In some cases it can’t be helped. However, in a majority of cases, the pet is paying the price for their person’s poor planning. They assume their pet will be easily adopted.

The truth is it’s tough out there for a pet without a home, as tough as it is to find a job in California!  And frankly, the rescues and shelters are full. Those who are lucky go to a no-kill facility. The super lucky ones go to a no-kill facility where someone will love and dote on them, easing their transition. Those who aren’t, have 30 days to charm their way into someone’s home.  Many of them are scared and don’t charm;some remember past abuse; some are simply born with dark fur.

How can you help?

• Make donations — Cash is very helpful in helping these folks buy items they need. In many cases, these donations are tax deductable.
• Donate gas cards
• Call or look up on line what their needs are. While you’re at Costco or your local grocery store, pick up a few items and drop them off.
• Foster — As I mentioned, the shelters and rescues are full. If you have space, offer to foster a dog.  It’s a great way to try a pet and let that pet try you, to see if you work well together.  Many rescues will allow you to convert your foster into an adoption.
  You can even foster your pet to give the rescue time to find it a new home.  This could help ease the transition from home to home for your pet.
• If you absolutely can’t foster your pet while the rescue is working to rehome it, offer to pay to offset the rescue’s costs.
• Adopt! Adopt! Adopt!Remember: RESCUED is our very favorite breed around here!

Because I’m a squish for a basset hound or a golden — oh, let’s face it, any critter in need –  I have offered to foster one of these dogs until it is adopted or an opening is available with one of the rescues. (Or adopt the critter if I fall in love, Lula falls in love, and Butters doesn’t leave us for Auntie Tracy’s! Butters always wanted to be an only child!)

Intellectually, I understand we can’t possibly save them all, but if it’s possible to help, I’m all for it. I just wish the breeders would help us out by declaring a moratorium on breeding for 12-18 months. Perhaps then, we could get get more animals homed.

If you’ve never had an animal before, or are wondering about the breed traits of a particular breed you’re considering, fostering is a great way to get the feel for it before you make a lifetime commitment. Then again, if in the course of fostering you fall in love, most shelters and rescues will allow you to adopt the animal.

Remember: RESCUED is the Favorite Breed for everyone here at The Red Dog Inn!

When a veteran retires from the US Armed services, they have options on where they can live. But when that veteran is an animal, it needs our help.  Did you know that you can adopt a hero? YOU CAN! I’ve put the link to the page here. 

There is a hierarchy on who gets dibs — Local Law Enforcement, then former handlers, then the public.  The Military Working Dog Foundation is a 501(c) 3 organization, which means you may be able to support them with donations. http://www.militaryworkingdogs.com/donate.shtml 

Help an animal that served those who serve!

“The Military Working Dog Foundation was established to provide a resource of information to law enforcement agencies who have a requirement to obtain working dogs, as well as for the public who wish to adopt dogs that become available from the military and need a home.”

Military Working Dog Bruno in Germany

http://www.militaryworkingdogs.com

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THIS CAUSE

Here’s the thing. If purebreds are your thing, there are scads of purebred rescues! Just do a little research. Butters and Lula were adopted through friends who could no longer keep them.  Do I love them any less than I would an animal I paid $500-$1000 for? Not a chance. 

Will you get a perfect pet? Define “perfect”.  You get what you put into your pet.  

Nonetheless, I firmly believe that there are breeds that are made for special people.  There are pitbull people, and great dane people, and yes, basset hound people.  Do your homework, but don’t be afraid to adopt your next pet.

SENDING LOTS OF WARM FUZZY HUGS TO OUR FRIENDS AT DAPHNEYLAND Basset Hound Rescue!  Miss Henrietta whelped 9 basset-mix puppies yesterday.