Responsible Pet Ownership and Shelter Reform Part One

What makes a pet owner responsible?

Reducing the Population and Saving Lives

Why Adopt and Not Shop? Puppy mills – inhumane commercial dog-breeding facilities that may sell puppies in pet stores, online, or directly to the public (in flea markets or via classified ads). – Puppy mills disregard the dogs' health—both physical and emotional—in order to maximize profits It is estimated that there are at least 10,000 puppy mills in the U.S. Fewer than 3,000 of these are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (HSUS)

Why Adopt and Not Shop? The Reality of Puppy Mills

Why Adopt and Not Shop? Dog Auctions Exposed

Why Adopt and Not Shop? Mill Dog Rescue/TEDx Talk

Know The Facts Currently, – About 8 million animals enter American “shelters” each year – About 3-4 million animals die in “shelters” each year – This equates to about 9,000 animals being killed each day in “shelters” – Cats are killed in larger numbers than dogs annually (why?)

Know the Facts Euthanasia: Also called mercy killing. The act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, a person or animal suffering from an incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition Kill: to deprive of life in any manner; cause the death of; slay; to destroy; do away with; extinguish (Random House Dictionary)

Know the Facts Shelter: the protection or refuge afforded by such a thing; a building serving as a temporary refuge or residence, as for homeless persons or abandoned animals; refuge (Random House Dictionary)

Your Thoughts The leading cause of death for companion animals in the United States are the “shelters” that are supposed to protect them In a thousand words or less write why you think this is the case