Want someone to adore you even on a bad hair day. Believe that spaying and neutering pets will help solve the pet overpopulation problem. Can't imagine leaving your devoted pet behind when you move. Want to keep an ID tag on your pets, so they can get back to you no matter what. Enjoy unconditional love and constant companionship. If you think you've got all this, visit your local animal shelter to find the perfect dog or puppy!


Picking The Perfect Puppy
Local animal care and control agencies are the best place to locate a puppy. Chances are, your local shelter has the exact breed of dog you are looking for.
Puppy Mills
Organizations which mass breed puppies for profit
Living conditions for these animals are often inhumane
Many pet stores purchase their puppies from these places
Reputable Breeders
Ask your local shelter for recommendation of a good breeder
Your veterinarian is also an excellent source of information
Personally visit the kennel
you can also evaluation living conditions and character of the breeder
Ask to see the puppy's parents
healthy parents have healthy puppies, devoid of the physical and psychological genetic defects caused by inbreeding or ignorance of good breeding practices
Legitimate facilities encourage prospective owners to visit


Puppy-proofing Your House
If anything is in reach, your puppy will sniff, chew, and probably play with it. So to protect your puppy in her new environment, and to safeguard your belongings, puppy-proof your house.
Kitchens/Bathrooms.
· Use childproof latches to keep curious muzzles from prying open cabinets
· Keep medications, cleaners, chemicals, and laundry supplies on high shelves
· Keep foods out of reach (even if the food isn't harmful, the wrapper could be. And some foods, like chocolate, can be fatal to dogs)
· Keep trash cans covered or inside a latched cabinet
· Keep toilet lids closed to prevent drowning or drinking harmful cleaning chemicals
Living/Family Room.
· Place dangling wires from lamps, VCRs, stereos, TVs, and phones up and out of chewing reach
· Keep kids' toys put away
· Move plants out of reach (some houseplants are poisonous to animals)
· Check all those places where your vacuum cleaner doesn't fit, but your puppy does, for dangerous items, like coins and pens
· Put away all sewing and craft notions, especially needles and thread
· Make sure all heating/air vents have a cover
Garage.
· Move all chemicals to high shelves or behind secure doors
· Clean up all antifreeze from the floor and driveway—one lick of most antifreezes can be lethal to any animal
· Keep all sharp objects and tools out of reach
Bedrooms.
· Keep laundry and shoes behind closed doors (drawstrings and buttons can cause major illness if swallowed)
· Keep any medications, lotions, or cosmetics off accessible surfaces (like the bedside table which can be reached by jumping on the bed)
· Move wires out of reach of chewing
And look out for paws, noses, and tails when you shut doors behind you or scoot chairs

Going On Two
Many of the dogs in shelters are between six-months and two-years old.
Why are they so old?
Their owners thought they were cute when they were young, but didn't want a grown dog
They grew up and spent most of their time in the backyard
Why would I want an older dog?
They are smart, and they love people
They are young enough to learn quickly, and old enough to pay attention to their lessons
They only need three things: Attention, affection, and training

If you provide all dogs with affection, attention and training, they will soon become super dogs, the kind your friends wish they could own.


Used with permission from the American Humane Association
www.americanhumane.org