2. 4 Worst Reasons to Get a Dog

3. I Want to Teach My Kids Responsibility 70% of owners surveyed identified the dog “owner” as the female head of household * Dogs are living, breathing creatures with the ability to experience pain and suffering Lead by example. Do the adults want a dog as part of the family? Chores, managing money, laundry, dishes, clean their room * Canadian Pet Ownership survey 2001

4. …but the puppy is free! 22% of dogs have not been to a Veterinarian in the past 12 months 31% of Canadian dogs are not spayed or neutered First year puppy ownership: $2 980.41 Annual cost of caring for a dog: $2 150.50 Total cost of ownership with 12 year lifespan: $26 635.91! Ref: OVMA Handbook 2012

5. I Can’t Leave Him Here!!!!! 10% of dogs are acquired from pet stores while 35% were obtained from breeders* Puppy mills are included in breeder statistics Potential buyers “feel sorry” for less than healthy puppies * Business of Animals Survey, CVJ

6. My Girlfriend Would LOVE a Puppy for Christmas!! (wouldn’t she?) In 2010 42 834 dogs were admitted to shelters in Canada* 6 254 (14%) were euthanized* Dog ownership should be a well thought out decision * Canadian Federation of Humane Societies 2010 stats

7. QUESTIONS?