Never Buy Your Best Friend Online

If Lisa Mullins knew more about puppy mills, she never would have purchased her English Bulldog online. Mullins didn't know she was purchasing a sick puppy bred at a puppy mill when she bought her bulldog, Otis, from Bulldog Ravine. The Internet seller promised registration papers, "champion" bloodlines, and a health guarantee.

It wasn't until after Otis became seriously ill that Lisa learned that Bulldog Ravine was actually a Pennsylvania puppy importer accused of selling unhealthy bulldogs from overseas puppy mills. Sadly, after suffering from many health issues that cost his family thousands of dollars in vet bills, Otis died at only 8 months of age.

If you buy a dog over the Internet, at a pet store or through a newspaper ad, your new pooch may very well be from a puppy mill—an abusive mass-production facility that churns out puppies under inhumane conditions.

Puppy mill producers often have slick, professional websites that convincingly advertise their puppies as "home raised" or "family raised". These claims are often false. A reputable breeder will never sell dogs through the Internet or other outlets that would not allow them to personally meet and interview prospective buyers.

The HSUS believes that Bulldog Ravine owner Brenda Moncrieff, like many Internet puppy sellers, has operated businesses under several names and used different Web sites to sell puppies, possibly including: B&E English Bulldogs, Heavenly French Bulldogs, APlusBulldogs.com, MNMBulldogs.com and GreenacresBulldogs.com. Mullins and dozens of other heartbroken Bulldog Ravine customers have contacted The Humane Society of the United States for help.

"Most of the puppy mills that The HSUS has raided in recent months have been Internet sellers that posed online as small reputable breeders," said Stephanie Shain, senior director of The HSUS' puppy mills campaign. "The HSUS encourages anyone who has purchased a Bulldog from Bulldog Ravine or one of these other online businesses to contact us as soon as possible."

If you are ready to share your home with a new pet and have the time, space and dedication to provide a lifetime of care and companionship, visit your local animal shelter. One in every four dogs in U.S. animal shelters is a purebred. Most dogs in shelters are there due to "people" reasons, such as cost, lack of time, lifestyle changes (new baby, divorce, moving, or marriage), or allergies, not because of something the dog has done.

Some shelters will keep a waiting list for people seeking a particular breed or species. In addition, private rescue groups exist for almost every breed of dog, as well as other kinds of pets. If you choose to buy your pet from a breeder instead, always visit the breeder's facility in person and see how and where all the dogs are living. Never buy a puppy without personally visiting where the puppies and their parents are raised and housed.

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Dog Travel Network Joins the Effort to ID Pets

/24-7 / -- National Pet ID Week is underway and in an effort to return missing pets, Dog Travel Network (www.dogtravelnetwork.com) is giving away the IDTAG, a Revolutionary Pet Tag, to members of the Dog Travel Network Community. One tag will be given away each day of National Pet ID Week and the winners will be drawn at random. The Dog Travel Network Community is free and fun to join.

Millions of companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Of these, only two percent of cats and 15-20% of dogs are reunited with their owners. For this reason, the American Humane Association (AHA) has designated Saturday, April 5, 2003 as Tag Day. National Pet ID Week is April 20-26.

"The Dog Travel Network is based on the love of dog, the last thing we would want is for somebody to lose their pet needlessly, due to lack of identification." said Courtney King, Director of Public Relations, Dog Travel Network. "The IDTAG (www.IDTAG.com) is a really great product that is worn like a regular identification. The difference is, IDTAG supplies an instant alert to shelters & lost-pet websites, allows you to update your pet and contact info online in Real Time, creates lost-pet posters for your use and offers a 24/7 live toll-free hotline. We feel this is a really great product so that is why we are giving them away and helping to raise awareness of the importance to ID your pet."

The Dog Travel Network is a web-based travel resource for folks planning their next dog friendly vacation or just a day out to the best dog-friendly local park or restaurant. The Dog Travel Network also hosts the Dog Travel Channel, the first of its kind with videos of dog friendly places, including parks, beaches, hotels, resorts, getaways and anything dog friendly. The Dog Travel Channel (www.dogtravelchannel.com) is a dog friendly video production service that offers custom videos for businesses in the pet industry.

The Dog Travel Network highly recommends the use of identifications tags and invites all dog enthusiasts to join the community for free, add some pictures, post some videos and show the world your favorite four-legged friend. One IDTAG will be given away to a community member each day this week, ending on April 26.

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Georgia Heartland Humane Society Needs You to Cast Your Vote for Rescue

AAG Note: Georgia Heartland does such a great job with the homeless animals. Be sure to support them with your vote.

The Animal Rescue Site is generously giving out grants to rescue organizations, but YOU need to vote DAILY for us to win!!!

Voting begins on Monday April 13th and ends on Wednesday July 29th at midnight.

DON'T FORGET TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!!

See the link below to cast your vote:

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3&link=ctg_ars_shelterchallenge_from_home_sidetabs

Thank you all so much for your support-
Christine Kilgore
VP/Director of Fosters-GHHS

"Within The Heart of Every Stray Lies the Singular Desire to be Loved."

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Tips On Bringing Home The Right Shelter Dog

(NAPSI)-Shelters across the country are home to many wonderful dogs that are just waiting for someone to adopt and love them. A few tips from the experts can make it easier to find the right dog for your home.

First and foremost, make sure that the type of dog you get will fit your lifestyle, says Mathilde de Cagny, head trainer of Birds and Animals Unlimited and trainer of the Jack Russell terrier in the family film "Hotel for Dogs."

If you are very active and spend a lot of time outdoors, then a terrier or a hunting dog might be a good match. But if you lead a more sedentary lifestyle, live in an apartment or have a small yard, then you should choose accordingly. The best way to determine this is by getting a book about the different types of breeds before you go to the shelter to see what they were originally bred for.

When you meet a dog from the shelter, look for a dog that is outgoing with his tail wagging.

Once you get home, keep your new dog on a leash by your side and do not let him roam the house by himself. The reason behind this is so he doesn't take over your house and your life. It will also give you a chance to see if your dog is house-trained or not.

Within a day or so, make sure that your dog has some alone time by leaving him in the backyard or in a crate. Leave for 10 or 15 minutes at a time.

Go outside your house and listen-when you come back, don't make a big deal about being reunited. Be matter of fact; this is how to avoid dogs that develop separation anxieties.

Start training early on and involve your children. That is the best thing you can do for your dog; it fulfills a lot of his needs and you will have a better life together.

Another way to bring a dog home is to check into "Hotel for Dogs," a film that's filled with lovable dogs and ingenious kids.

Now available on DVD, the exciting and inspiring animal adventure tells the story of two orphans who find themselves in a foster home with a strict "no pets" policy. They set out to find a home for their canine companion and end up creating a haven for all the strays in the city.

In addition to the dogs, the film stars Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Kyla Pratt, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillon and Don Cheadle.

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Gas Chamber Legislation Bill in Georgia

AAG Note: This story was recently covered by the Georgia Front Page on February 15, 2009. Within that article are the Georgia counties and cities who still use the gas chamber for euthanizing animals.

This plea was sent to the Fayette Front Page by the Georgia Heartland Humane Society.

This concerns banning the use of the remaining gas chambers in Georgia animal shelters as a method of euthanizing animals. The more humane method is lethal injection. This is an issue that you can have a direct hand in changing. You can help put an end to this inhumane, cruel treatment of the least fortunate animals. PLEASE read the message and instructions below then make those calls and send those emails. We only have until Monday! Thank you so much.

PLEASE CROSS POST TO PUSH "GRACE'S BILL" THROUGH!

We now have a bill in the House (HB 606) and the same bill in the Senate (SB 232). Two opportunities is better than one!

We have only until next Thursday the 12th for either bill to make its way "out of committee" and through a vote of the full House (or Senate). In other words, the bill (on either side) has to make it to the other side on or before the "crossover" date, which is the 12th. For example, if HB 606 doesn't make it out of the Agriculture Committee, it's dead. If it makes it out of the Ag Committee but doesn't pass a vote of the full House, it's dead. Same scenario on the other side, in the Senate.

The bill has to make through one side (before crossover date), then the other, then the Governor's approval to become a law.

A hearing of the Livestock, Poultry and Aquaculture Subcommittee (subcommittee of the House Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs) is set for HB 606 Monday 8:00 a.m. in room 403 of the Capitol.!

The Chairman of that subcommittee is Ellis Black.

We've been informed by lobbyists and legislative aides that phone calls are the most effective method of communicating your support of a bill to a legislator. So please help us start a campaign of phone calls to the offices of members of both Agriculture Committees (House and Senate).

Here's the link to the General Assembly with all legislators' contact information, bios, etc.:

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/

Here's the link to the House Committee on Agriculture:

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/house/Committees/agriculture/agIndex.htm

Here's the link to the Senate Committee on Agriculture:

http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/senate/agriculture.php


Please call these individuals to express your support of HB 606 [leave messages with their assistants or interns]:

Subcommittee Chair, Ellis Black: (404) 656-0287

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/house/bios/blackEllis/blackEllis.htm

Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Tom McCall: (404) 656-5115

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/house/bios/mccallTom/mccallTom.htm

Vice Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Terry England: (404) 656-0183

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/house/bios/englandTerry/englandTerry.htm

Secretary, House Committee on Agriculture, Dr. Gene Maddox DVM (supports gassing!!): (404) 656-0152

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/house/bios/maddoxGene/maddoxGene.htm

Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, John Bulloch: (404) 656-0040

http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/senate/bullochbio.php

Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Ralph Hudgens: (404) 656-4700

http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/senate/hudgensbio.php

Secretary, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Lee Hawkins: (404) 656-6578

http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/senate/hawkinsbio.php

If you prefer to email any or all of these folks, please do so. It's your choice. Their email addresses are on these hyperlinks.

What you can do also, in regards to the Senate bill, which is newer than the House bill, is thank Senator Steve Henson (D-Dekalb County) for his sponsorship of the bill [stevehenson@mindspring.com] and ask your own Senator to co-sponsor the bill.

Please take into consideration that the time and resources of the handful (10) of individuals (myself included) who are "heading" this campaign for the passage of this legislation are limited, as are your own. If you have ideas of how to further the campaign... if you want to draft and cross post something else... if you want to contact the media.... PLEASE DO! There is no proprietary interest in this campaign. It belongs to every resident of the State of Georgia. If you want to see this bill passed, then you do whatever you are able and willing to do to ensure its passage. There are no rules. You don't need anyone's consent. Each and every one of us is a free-thinking, tax-paying registered voter. You don't need anyone's permission or instructions on how to contact our State elected officials to express your opinions and make your requests. Just go for it! There's no time to waste.

Thank you for your active participation in this important and historic campaign for the welfare of Georgia's homeless pets.

Chamblee Abernethy in Dekalb County (678) 640-1177

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Rookie Shelter Pups Open their Playbook for Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl V

/PRNewswire/ -- If your favorite team's season went to the dogs this year, Animal Planet has some new recruits that are ready for their chance to conquer the pigskin -- or a chew toy -- in PUPPY BOWL V. The yearly canine competition is back as a new cast of pups takes the field for another year of dogged defense, puppy penalties and fido first downs. The action takes place on the grand gridiron of Animal Planet Stadium, where an all-star, all-"adoptable" lineup of rambunctious pups is ready to compete in the ultimate puppy showdown. This year, every puppy featured in PUPPY BOWL V is recruited from a local shelter, so these pooches are free agents looking for a good home. Plus, while the big guys are listening to "The Boss" at halftime, PUPPY BOWL has once again enlisted the help of some frisky kittens for an all-new edition of the KITTY HALF-TIME SHOW. Make your fantasy picks now because PUPPY BOWL V premieres Sunday, February 1, from 3-5 PM (ET/PT).

Straight from local shelters, this year's puppy starting line-up is filled with hustling huskies and tackling terriers that are ready for action as they vie for the title of MVP (Most Valuable Puppy). Returning to give viewers a play-by-play commentary is world renowned Harry Kalas, voice of NFL Films and the Philadelphia Phillies, whose legendary voice brings even more intensity to this already feisty rivalry. And in recognition of Puppy Bowl's fifth anniversary, we look back on some of the best puppy plays through the years.

"Super Bowl fans are used to cable cams and slow motion instant replays," says Marjorie Kaplan, president and general manager of Animal Planet Media. "But only Animal Planet viewers can get up-close and personal with our adorable puppy players through our innovative water bowl cam. And they may have 'The Boss,' but we have 'Pepper the Parrot' and the KITTEN HALF TIME SHOW for our entertainment."

PUPPY BOWL V cameras catch all of the exhilarating action as the puppies pounce and play against one another, mimicking the rough-and-tumble moves of the NFL. However, with all the excitement, players sometimes can get out of line, which is why PUPPY BOWL is equipped with instant replays and "puppy penalties" doled out by our veteran PUPPY BOWL referee, Andrew Schechter. He knows the puppy rules like the back of his hand, and he's not afraid to assess penalties when the players commit an infraction. This year, he even has to reign in an overzealous puppy fan that "streaks" the field.

"I think we all have a calling," says Andrew. "Some of us are firemen; some are policemen. I am a ref. I referee little, cute, adorable puppies pretending to play football for people's enjoyment. It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it."

To kick start this year's sports extravaganza is "Pepper the Parrot," singing a unique rendition of the National Anthem. Then at halftime, the frisky felines are back for the KITTY HALF-TIME SHOW. The lively kittens once again show off their moves on a glittery stage while swooning fans enjoy their rocking halftime performance. These tiny tabbies and cuddly calicos prove that watching curious kittens bat around a toy mouse is all the entertainment you need.

All of the charming canines featured in PUPPY BOWL V come from regionally based shelters, including Furry Friends Network, Paw-fect Match Rescue and the SPCA of Anne Arundel County (Maryland). Viewers who are interested in adopting from a shelter in their area can visit PETFINDER.COM, the best online resource for finding adoptable pets.

To learn more about PUPPY BOWL V, visit our electronic press kit for videos on the training regimen and history of our referee Andrew Schechter: http://press.discovery.com/ekits/puppybowl2009/. Plus, fans can visit AnimalPlanet.com for a list of the top five PUPPY BOWL moments and a chance to vote for this year's MVP (Most Valuable Puppy).

PUPPY BOWL V official sponsors include Pedigree, Bissell, SC Johnson and Disney's Space Buddies.

PUPPY BOWL V and the KITTY HALF-TIME SHOW are productions of Discovery Studios. For Discovery Studios, Rob Burk is the executive producer. Melinda Toporoff is the executive producer for Animal Planet.

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Giving An Adoptable Dog A Home

(NAPSI)-If you are thinking of adding a pet to your family, adopting a dog from an animal shelter or rescue organization may offer a number of benefits.

For instance, these dogs often bond quickly with new owners and can have fewer needs than a young puppy. Plus, you can often find perfectly good adult pets that have matured to the point where they aren't rambunctious or demanding for activity.

Many shelter and rescue dogs are already house-trained and may only need some reminders and a few days to adjust to a new routine.

Very often, these dogs already know some basic commands taught in their first home or by shelter volunteers.

When you adopt an older dog from a shelter, the dog should be current with all shots, already "fixed" and heartworm negative at the very least. Some shelters include microchip identification with every animal.

Shelters do extensive evaluating of both their dogs and their applicants to be sure that both dog and family will be happy with each other.

If you are thinking of adopting a shelter dog, here are some tips:

• You might want to plan on making at least a couple trips to the shelter so you can observe the pets before picking one to take home.

• Look for a dog with a good temperament who is friendly and gentle around children. Watch the dog's response to signal words, such as "Easy" or "Gentle," or commands that force him to calm down, such as "Sit."

• Get a good collar and leash with identification tags and get him involved with friends' or neighbors' dogs. Socialize him with different types of people and make sure he will accept being around children.

Once you have decided on a particular dog and tested how he reacts to your family, find out why the dog is up for adoption. Ask the shelter specific questions, such as:

• Is the dog healthy now?

• Any known or suspected health problems?

• Has he been checked for worms?

• What parasite treatment/prevention program is the dog on?

• Has he been exposed to any diseases?

• Any limping or other indications of bone or joint problems?

Although shelter dogs have been under the care of a veterinarian, you'll want to make an appointment with your regular veterinarian as soon as possible after bringing your new pet home. Your veterinarian can thoroughly examine your dog for any underlying medical conditions and prescribe a parasite prevention product to keep him healthy.

To learn more, visit www.growingupwithpets.com.

If you are adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue organization, look for one with a good temperament who is friendly and gentle around children.

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Tips For Finding A Healthy Puppy

(NAPSI)-If you're in the market for a new dog, it's important to find a good breeder.

That's the advice from experts who say that puppy mills-which are mass dog-breeding facilities that sell puppies through pet stores and over the Internet- often treat their animals cruelly and inhumanely.

According to The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), puppy mills frequently house dogs in shockingly poor conditions, particularly for the "breeding stock" animals who are caged and continually bred for years without human companionship and then killed, abandoned or sold to another puppy mill after their fertility wanes.

An estimated 10,000 of the mills operate in the U.S., forming a billion-dollar industry. The mills sell dogs through many pet stores, over the Internet and sometimes through local newspaper ads. Opponents of the mills say the best way to put them out of business is to not buy the puppies they sell.

Instead, they suggest visiting animal shelters, purebred rescue groups or a responsible breeder. Nationwide, one out of every four dogs in an animal shelter is a purebred, and an estimated 6 to 8 million animals enter shelters annually, with only about half of them being adopted.

The HSUS offers this additional information for prospective pet buyers:

• Be wary of claims that a pet store only sells animals from breeders who are "USDA inspected." The USDA doesn't require all commercial breeders to be licensed, and the group establishes only minimum-care standards, even at inspected puppy mills.

• Some disreputable breeders sell their dogs directly to the public over the Internet and through newspaper ads. These breeders are not required to be inspected by any federal agency and, in many states, are not inspected at all.

• Reputable breeders care where their puppies go and interview hopeful buyers. They don't sell through pet stores or to families they haven't thoroughly checked out.

• Purebred papers do not guarantee the quality of the breeder or the dog.

• Puppy mill puppies often have medical problems that can lead to veterinary bills in the thousands of dollars. In addition, poor breeding and socialization practices at many puppy mills can lead to behavioral problems throughout the puppies' lives.

For more information, including a good breeder checklist, visit www.humanesociety.org/puppy.

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