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A Pekingese wins Westminster, others still homeless  »

This is Malachy, the pekingese that won Best in Show at the 2012 Westminster Dog Show. Anytime a breed wins Westminster, there is a surge in popularity. This can lead to a surge in puppymills producing that breed. This sucks. 

What many people forget is that 25 percent of dogs in shelters are purebred. Do you know someone who just HAS to have a pekingese now? Tell them they can adopt one! Look for breed-specific rescues, or just check Petfinder and search for pekes! You’ll find great dogs, like Cody here:

Cody is the hotness. 

I don’t think we need to tell someone not to focus on what breed of dog to get. Instead, tell them that whatever breed they are looking for, they can find up for adoption! I mean all dogs are different, but if they have their heart set on a particular breed, just focus on adoption. It’s great if someone wants to rescue the millions of pitbulls that need homes, but if the breed is the deal-breaker, I’d rather they rescue a homeless peke than buy one!

New York Area: Sweet Roscoe is having a rough time at the shelter, needs a home!  »

This handsome fellow is Roscoe! He’s at the Shandaken shelter, which seems to be about 2.5 hours from NYC. I got an email about this guy because, though he’s at a no-kill shelter and not endanger of euthanasia, he’s having a hard time:

Roscoe has been at the Shandaken shelter for a long time. His life is not in danger, since it’s a no-kill shelter, but his sanity is. He’s lonely, and he’s been kenneled so long he’s starting to get a little “cage crazy.” The Shandaken shelter doesn’t get the kind of foot-traffic that they get in NYC or other busy places. And Roscoe is a bit aloof when people first meet him (can you blame him?), so he doesn’t immediately win them over, and they move on. But I’m told that he’s a real sweetheart once you spend time with him. He just needs a chance to show it!

Aw, poor guy! Do you know anyone who could help Roscoe? Homeboy needs to spread his wings and fly! His profile says he loves to play and that the volunteers play hide and seek, fetch, and catch with him! It also says he’s very smart. And look at that pretty coat!

If you or anyone you know can help Roscoe, please call the shelter at (845) 688-5004. Roscoe deserves a home!

Abandoned pit bull near Sacramento   »

Sorry to break your hearts but I had to cross-post this. This poor dog was abandoned in Citrus Heights, CA (near Sacramento):

Male Pit Bull left behind in a 10x10 kennel after foreclosure. Not only pent up but on a chain, too! NOT AGGRESSIVE. He’s a bit shy when the kennel is opened for food and water, goes to the back of the kennel but once closed, jumps up and wags his tail. Vetting unknown, not sure if neutered. No Paws will pay $250 to a bona fide rescue that comes forward. Thanks so much.

If you can help, email cheryl@nopawsleftbehind.org. They also asked that you not post this on craigslist. 

These two fox terrier-mix puppies need homes! Can you help?  »

Lena

Lewis

How cute are these babies? Pro tip: SO CUTE! They are at the Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary in Stockton, CA and they need homes! Lena and Lewis both have petfinder pages. The brother and sister were found sad and dirty on a country road in Stockton in October. Lena is lively and gentle and likes getting hugs (OMG!). Lewis is a “miniature athlete with a winning heart of gold,” and is looking for some nice active humans. They sound so cute! They LOOK so cute! Someone out there must be looking for cute puppies like these. If you can’t adopt them, maybe you know someone who can? Send this around to your friends and family! Post it on Facebook! These guys deserve homes and every little bit helps!

If you want more info or want to meet Lena and/or Lewis, contact Lena at rescue@harvesthomeanimal.org.

A good picture could save a dog’s life!  »

“I can’t stand the thought of, for want of a good picture, that a dog goes homeless.”

—Teresa Berg

Teresa Berg is a professional photographer who’s been using her powers to help little homeless dogs get the adoption photos they deserve! As you can see in the video below, she started working with a dachshund rescue that had been slow with adoptions. Now, with some professional photography help, the rescue’s adoption rates are up 100 percent! And in my opinion, it’s not just dogs getting adopted from there and not other shelters; I’ve known people who look around for a week or two online for a rescue dog and then give up and buy a dog anyway. Maybe if they saw the perfect picture? Because we all know that there are plenty of great dogs in shelters and if they got a chance, someone could love them. They just need a good PR person like Berg!

[Can’t see the video? Watch it on Vegansaurus.com!]

I know that in SF, photographer Kira Stackhouse helps kitties and pups get adopted by working with the SPCA and Muttville. Do any of you guys use your art to help homeless pets? I did some writing for rabbit adoption earlier this year—that was fun! I hope it helped!

All the homeless animals deserve a whole makeup team and ad agency, for real! Let’s get it together! Go team!

Meet the SaveABunny bunnies this Saturday!   »

SaveABunny in SF is hosting Meet the Bunnies this Saturday at Pets Unlimited! Come on down and check out the buns. I’m pretty partial to this sexy lady above. Her name is Siren! Sexy Siren. Look at her, putting her little foot out. She’s all, “I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.” Damn, Siren, that was deep!

You can meet the bunnies on Saturday, Apr. 2, from noon to 3 p.m. at Pets Unlimited, 2343 Fillmore St. in San Francisco.

It’s Adopt the Internet Day!  »

I think this is my new favorite holiday! On this the holiest of days, Petfinder wants you to spread the word online: Adopt! You can get a cool badge like me if you want and add it to your own blog or website.

I’m glad we’re talking about adopting because people buying dogs has really gotten to me lately. Listen to this: my friend’s family had a really skittish dog; they said he was skittish because he was SHIPPED FROM AUSTRALIA when he was too old. This dog was shipped at 10 weeks instead of eight weeks or whatever. I guess the idea is that if you ship the puppy when it’s young enough, they aren’t conscious enough to remember the ordeal. The dog was a special Australian “doodle” of some sort and I guess they just had to have one of these dogs even though that’s completely insane. But what would you have them do?! Get an AMERICAN doodle?! Rubbish!

Oh and get this: the breeder doesn’t even live in a major city so the puppies have a five-hour truck ride before they even get to the airport. Nice. This dog was super-duper permanently skittish and jumpy because of this ridiculous trip. Sadly, the dog was hit by a car a few months ago and died. He was a good dog and it was very sad. But then IMMEDIATELY my friend’s parents go to contact the Australian breeder so they can get one of their deceased dog’s family members! I couldn’t believe! You see firsthand how this insane journey emotionally scars your dog and you want to do that to another puppy? People are crazy!

Meanwhile, millions of dogs are put to sleep every year here in the U.S. because there are still nut-ass people buying dogs instead of adopting. Go figure.