Thanks To Barb

We'd like to thank our wonderful volunteer Barb Ford for helping us with all the American Eskimo dogs we took in from the puppy mill. Barb was instrumental in getting the dogs taken care of and settled with foster families, as she assessed all the dogs, helped make successful matches, held and taught all the 'pick up' classes and was available at all times for any of the foster families to call and ask questions.

Barb helping out with Jackie.

Jackie enjoying the lawn and learning to be on a leash.

Jackie relaxing on the lawn with her foster.

Angel

Angel came back with her foster parents today to show off how much progress she has been making. She is one of the dogs who has already learned to walk on a leash! She's still a little skittish, but it looks like she's getting along great with her new parents.

Fosters Still Needed, & Progress Update

We are so excited to announce that all but nine of our American Eskimos have been placed with foster parents who were interested in adoption.

Tuesday was our first meeting with foster parents to assess how each dog is doing in the home. We were so surprised and elated to see and hear that at least five Eskimos are walking on leashes. Every dog has had their ups and downs, from getting accustomed to overhead lighting, meeting a cat for the first time and feeling grass underneath their paws. Each Eskimo in foster care is slowly experiencing a whole new world!

We are still seeking interested adopters to foster our remaining nine American Eskimos. Any interested parties are encouraged to stop by and fill out a foster application.

We Still Need Fosters

It looks like we have a few American Eskimos that need foster homes. If anyone is interested in helping them get homes, please contact us at 509-467-5235!

Happy Gets A Forever Home!

Today was a great day for Happy, she's getting ready to be adopted.

Here's Happy being held by her new owner, Jade.

Another picture of Jade with her new puppy, Happy.

Foster Orientation A Success

Yesterday evening over 70 people showed up at the Spokane Humane Society for our Foster Orientation meeting. Everyone was very interested in learning how to socialize and rehabilitate the American Eskimo dogs, and we were able to get all 51 dogs into some great homes for much needed love and support.

The Cruelty Behind the Cuteness, Part III

Sources: ASPCA and HSUS

More Things You Can Do:

6. Speak Out and Lobby for Better Laws!
Inform your state and federal legislators that you are concerned about the inhumane treatment of dogs in puppy mills, and would like to see continual legislation passed that ensures that all animals bred to be pets are raised in healthy conditions. Ask them to expand the reach of the Animal Welfare Act to include kennels that sell large numbers of puppies directly to the public.

7. Educate Yourself on Current State/Federal Laws
Look at the “big picture”, click on your state to see where it stands with Kennel/Breeder Regulations and Puppy Lemon Laws, by clicking on this link.

Effective 1/1/2010, S.B. 5651, Dog Breeding Practices, will limit the number of dogs these facilities have to prevent abusive puppy mills from operating and establish basic humane care standards. For the full bill, click here.

Effective 7/26/09, SSB 5402, Animal Cruelty—Similar Animals, known as Serephina’s bill, named after a rescued dog who was knowingly starved and left in horrific conditions by her owner, SSB 5402 will prohibit people convicted of animal cruelty from owning animals in the future -- including a permanent ban on future pet ownership for egregious or repeated animal cruelty convictions. The Bill amends RCW.15.52.011, 16.52.085, and 16.52.200 and prescribing penalties (Attached). Click here.

8. Tell Your Friends
If someone you know is planning on buying a puppy, please direct them to the ASPCA and HSUS puppy mill information. Let them know that there are perfectly healthy dogs in shelters waiting to be adopted. "Getting a Puppy?" and "How to Find a Good Dog Breeder" are designed to help potential pet owners avoid puppy mills.

9. Act Locally/Think Globally
Writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper is a great way to get the word out about puppy mills in your community. Write your own version—a short, polite letter is most effective—or download a Microsoft Word version of the template that you can alter.

When people are looking to buy or adopt a pet, they will often ask the advice of their veterinarian, groomer or pet supply store. Download and print ASPCA flyers (pdf) and ask to leave them in the offices of your local practitioners.

Have a webpage, a MySpace page or a blog? Use these powerful tools to inform people about puppy mill cruelty.

10. Donate
Remember your local shelters and national animal welfare groups … donate to support their ongoing efforts towards puppy mills and animal cruelty.