Would You Spend $50 to Save A Life?

Support the Last Chance Animal Rescue Fund, and save a puppy from the death chamber.



Since Oprah aired her expose on puppy mills in late 2007, there have been great strides in stopping the cruel abuse dogs face in puppy mills. I like to think that most people just don't realize how their purchase of a puppy from a pet store feeds the multi-billion dollar industry that puts greed above humane care of living creatures. But when you're ready for a pure-bred (or nearly so) puppy, where can you find one?

The recently formed Last Chance Animal Rescue Fund is a wonderful resource for families in the market for a pup, or older dog. Whitney and Priscilla, along with their growing army of volunteers, rescue puppies, often just weaned from their mothers, who have been dropped at shelters in South Carolina and are facing euthanasia. Last Chance brings them to Long Island where the demand for puppies far outnumbers the supply of healthy dogs. Since January 2009, Last Chance, in partnership with Southampton Town, has rescued and placed more than 50 dogs who would have been killed in the southern shelters.

Now they need your help. Their next fundraiser, the Party for the Pups, is to be held on March 28th at Martha Clara Vineyard in Jamesport. Tix are $50 in advance and $55 at the door. Fine Long Island Wine, great food, dancing and live music are in store for all who attend. Can't make it? Donations of any size are appreciated. Check it all out here.

AND, FOSTER HOMES ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED! If you have room in your life to help a pup get settled after the stress of the shelter, please let Last Chance know about it. Even if you can't make a permanent commitment, a loving transistional home will do wonders for these little ones.

See more pups here
Please help!!!

Kitten Season is Coming-Spay or Neuter Your Cat NOW!

People aren't the only creatures who like to snuggle together on cold winter nights, and if your kitty isn't yet spayed or neutered, it is likely they are no only doing what come naturally, but they are also producing progeny that will add to the explosion of kittens that the world will welcome in the warmer weather.

 

It is a sad, difficult life that unwanted kittens must endure as they struggle to make their way to adulthood, and then do their part to keep the species alive, but not necessarily healthy.  So, if your pet isn't spayed or neutered yet, please don't wait.  The fact is that there will be many more kittens born into this world than there are homes for them. The homeless ones will spend a life struggling to survive, if they aren't euthanized after being caught and taken to the pound. No-kill shelters usually don't accept feral cats because they are not adoptable, so the pound will have no choice but euthanize them to avoid being overrun with kittens that quickly grow into cats.

 

Please don't "litter."  Spay or neuter your pet today.

Thinking of getting a puppy for Christmas?

A new puppy for the kids on Christmas morning! How adorable! What a great idea...IF you are ready to make a commitment of at least 10 or 15 years to take care of it and give it a good home.

I'm sorry if I seem to be getting on another soapbox, but the decision to adopt a new pet into your family at any time, most especially during the holidays, should very carefully considered. Puppies and kittens grow up to be dogs and cats, and if they are not properly trained and cared for from the moment they join your household, they can be destructive, stress-inducing, and bring with them the potential to make everyone, including themselves, very unhappy.

If you and the other member of your family are up to the task, then anytime is a good time to adopt a new pet. I know that the best behaved puppy I ever had came home with me two days before Christmas. That was Indy, my first golden retriever. He was a very special dog, and I miss him still, more than 10 years after he has gone to wait for me at the Rainbow Bridge. But the most crucial part of this equation was that I was READY for him.

PLEASE do everyone a favor and bring a pet into your home only when you know you can devote the proper time to training, housebreaking, and exercise so you and your new pet can forge a lifelong relationship that you both will find rewarding.

Some great books to help you prepare for your new pet are Good Owners, Great Dogs by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson and The Art of Raising a Puppy by the Monks of New Skete.

These two books are invaluable resources for anyone thinking about bringing home a puppy.

And, if you decide you are ready...make sure the camera is ready, too, because there will be plenty of photo opportunities! Or, call a local professional photographer for a pet portrait session. In the Long Island area, Vivid Visions Photo offers pet portrait sessions at reasonable rates with quick turn around.

Support Your Local Animal Shelters

The holiday season is here, and now is often the time that we think of those less fortunate than we. Please remember to include God's non-human creatures in your annual holiday charity donations.

A good place to start is your local animal shelter, but if you don't have one in your community, please consider donating the Humane Society of the United States. They are the Red Cross for animals in any disaster.

Humane Society of the United States