Taking care of the earth does not just mean keeping supplies and other things out of landfills and buying sustainably produced toys. It also means taking care of the animals who share the earth, such as dogs.
No matter if you adopt or buy your next dog, be sure that you work with breeders and shelters who ethically raise and care for the dogs. Here are some tips for how to be ethical with both manners of getting a dog.
Buy from ethical breeders
When you are searching for a breeder to buy a dog from, pay attention to how they treat their puppies. Before you buy from a particular breeder, you will want to see their premises and where they keep their dogs. What you see there can tell you a lot about how the owner treats their dogs! A good breeder will have plenty of room for his dogs, clean kennels and space outside, and have dogs that are happy, friendly, and excited to see people.
If you find a puppy mill, take the Humane Society of the United State’s advice and don’t “rescue” the puppy. By doing that, you are only putting more money in their pockets and ensuring that they continue. Instead, alert your local animal control so that they can completely shut the mill down and help the dogs to find caring families.
Adopting gives dogs a second chance
If you have the room in your family, you can also look at adopting a dog. This often time gives a dog a new chance at life and can be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. Many people think that a dog who needs to be adopted has something wrong with them. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Many dogs who need a new home were either abandoned or homeless, some had been rescued out of an abusive home, and many went home with someone who didn’t know how to take care of them like Luna, who was a high-energy husky. All she needed was someone who could take care of her better--there was nothing wrong with her.
If you are serious about adoption and want a comprehensive guide to adoption, check out Breed Advisor’s helpful guide here. They give many more tips for deciding if adoption is the best for you and how to find the perfect pup for you!
Are you looking for a way to support pet adoption, even if you aren’t currently looking to adopt a pet? You can donate to the Humane Society of Summit County (HSSC) through WoofPack Trails! If you raise $100 between April 14 and April 21 for their Paws for a Cause Virtual Walk, you will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Starbucks gift card and a WoofPack! Also, any purchase you make from WoofPack Trails will donate 10% to the HSSC if you use the code HSSC.
ABOUT DALEEN
Daleen Cowgar is a junior at Malone University where she is studying English with minors in Public Relations and Creative Writing. She loves playing with words and looks forward to spending her career continuing to do just that. She also enjoys interacting with the variety of animals that she pet sits.
ABOUT WOOFPACK
Want a more enjoyable on-the-go experience with your pet? Let WoofPack carry the load! WoofPack dog walking accessory bag features an inner antimicrobial lined pocket to store bagged doggy waste plus separate pockets to hold personal items. The Pack is lightweight, durable and fashionable and can be worn four ways. Order your WoofPack today!