Dogs...Please read

[Cadaverous Pallor]

GD and I have been visiting Petcos and Petsmarts a lot and have been kind of puzzled as to why they don't sell bunnies. We love looking at the other little fuzzies. Eventually I read that these big pet supply stores have been pressured by rabbit societies to not sell bunnies in order to keep the breeding population down. They urge bunny owners to not purchase anything at stores that sell rabbits.

Now I'm happy I don't see bunnies at the store

I would never purchase an animal that I could get from a rescue or shelter.

[Not Afraid]

I am amazed at the number of Chihuahuas and Statfordshire Terriers seen at shelters. Both lab mixes and shepheard mixes are also everywhere. Last week, I saw a 8 month old "Puggle" - one of the new designer breeds, a pug/beagle mix - at the shelter.

If you are also interested in a particular breeds, there are often breed-specific rescue organizations.

[mousepod]

We've donated the Chihuahua Rescue and also to our local rescue group, Grateful Dogs, from whom we adopted our latest dog, Jack.

[BarTopDancer]

Why do I keep reading this thread? /sob

All of my kitties were adopted.

Tigger - from the vet after he was dropped off by someone who hit him with their car at 6 months. 21 years later still going strong. I'm very grateful that said person took him to the vet to get treatment instead of letting him go to kitty heaven.

Springer - from someone in the Pennysaver who was giving away kitties. The little attention whore sure got mine.

Boo - showed up one day and never left. He had a collar ring and we are guessing that someone dumpted him when they moved.

Tiger - RIP - from a box of kittens outside of Huntington Center
Mench RIP - my parents cat before I was born was from the shelter.
Pookie and Hobbs from E's mom & sisters. They were adopted to new homes since I am allergic.

[cirquelover]

We donate to our local shelter and actually just bought toys last weekend from them at their sale in the mall.
My husband must have seen that commercial while he was out of town. He' keeps talking about how we need to help more. Which started the boy talking about a monthly program, kind of like Christian childrens fund but for pets. So it looks like we will be adopting virtual dogs, real animals just not added to my menagerie!

[Not Afraid]

I want to take Oliver home.

[alphabassettgrrl]

I'm pleased to say both our dogs are... secondhand. Plus the cat was a stray we took in. Makes me happy.

Definitely look for breed-specific rescues when adopting a dog. Basset Rescue does a lot of good work.

[wendybeth]

Nearly all our animals were adopted, but Samwise and Mellie were purchased from a pet store. In our area, a lot of people take their puppies and kittens locally owned pet stores, so it's not a lot different than adopting them from the pound. In fact, if Mellie had been taken to the pound they probably would have put her down, as she had a severe hip dysplasia condition. (Still does, but she is very healthy otherwise, and very happy as well). When I got her, I was looking for a small dog and there weren't any available at any of the shelters. I spotted poor Mellie, who was just eight weeks old and looked just like a little bear cub, stuck in with a bunch of yapping little mini-dob's and looking completely miserable. Of course I wound up taking her home, and she is now a six year old spoiled rotten moose of a dog- she must weigh 125 lbs, at least. She and Samwise kitty play together all the time- it's quite disgusting.