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CANINE VACCINATIONS

We recommend that your dog be vaccinated for the following:

Canine 5-in-1 Vaccine: This vaccine protects against Canine Distemper, Adenovirus Type 2, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, and Leptospira Bacterin. This vaccination should be given annually. Puppies will receive this vaccination every 3 weeks until they are at least 16 weeks old. Dogs who have never been vaccinated, are of unknown vaccination history, or are overdue for their annual Canine C-5 may need two C-5 vaccinations 3 weeks apart to get their immunity level up.

Rabies: Rabies vaccine should be repeated in 1 year for any puppy or dog who is having its first rabies vaccination, has an unknown vaccination history or is overdue. It is good for 3 years for adult dogs who have had rabies vaccine previously and are being re-vaccinated on schedule.

Coronavirus: This vaccination protects against a viral diarrhea disease not unlike Parvovirus. We especially recommend this for all of our puppy patients, as they are most susceptible. It is also good for any dog whose owner would like to protect their pet as completely as possible. The vaccination protocol is 2 vaccinations 3 weeks apart the first year and then an annual booster.

Bordetella Brochiseptica Bacterin: This vaccination protects your dog against Kennel Cough, a very contagious upper airway infection. This is important for dogs or puppies that have frequent contact with other dogs such as boarding, showing, or just around the neighborhood. It is also good for any dog when full protection is desired. The vaccination protocol is the same as for Coronavirus vaccine.

Lyme Disease: This infection is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, which is carried and transmitted by the nymphal and adult stages of the deer tick. This particular tick is almost too small to see. Cases have been reported in dogs, cats, horses, cows and humans. The protocol for this vaccine is the same as with Coronavirus. We recommend it for pets that are near tick infested areas such as woods or tall grasses.

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HEARTWORM DISEASE
Excerpted from American Heartworm Society Bulletin March 1992

Of the inquiries I receive by telephone and letter, the most common is. "Why is it necessary to keep retesting a dog for heartworms after it has been on preventive medication?" I answered this in the September 1989 Bulletin, but since it continues to be an item of interest, perhaps the reasons are worth repeating:

1.
Non-compliance -- failure of owners to give the medication as directed is a commonly encountered problem.
2.
Possibility of the dog not swallowing the medication.
3.
Exposure to infected mosquitoes prior to starting the medication but with a negative test at the time of initiation of preventive medication. Without subsequent tests one would not diagnose the infection.
4.
Experience has shown that some medications may not always be 100% effective.

Now another question arises. What is the test of choice when retesting a dog on preventive medication? Until recently, it was generally assumed that a test or microfilariae was satisfactory and this approach was recommended in the American Heartworm Society Recommended Procedures. However, based on recent information, which indicates that repeated use of preventive doses of ivermectin/milbemycin in heartworm infected dogs suppresses microfilariae production, (AHS Bulletin, June 1991); a re-examination of this recommendation is in order.

Antigen tests now become a more important part of our retesting program. In our area, which has always been an endemic heartworm area, we have been testing dogs twice a year using a Knotts test at six-month intervals. We have recently changed this approach and now alternate between a Knotts and an antigen test.

Some may consider testing at six-month intervals to be overkill, just as some have suggested that widespread use of preventive medication in areas of low incidence is overkill. However, I view a sound heartworm prevention program as I do vaccination programs. Widespread use of vaccines is the way in which we have kept diseases such as canine and feline distemper and rabies under control.

Certainly our program involving the use of heartworm preventives and periodic retesting has been successful controlling heartworm disease in our practice. We encounter only a small fraction of the heartworm infected dogs that we did ten or fifteen years ago. Resistance to retesting dogs on preventive medication encountered by some veterinarians represents, I think, a minority of clients.

The four veterinarians in our practice find that 95% or more of our clients adhere to the recommendations that we make to them. They have found that our preventive program, which includes vaccination against the common diseases, the use of heartworm preventives and periodic retesting is successful in keeping their pets healthy and in the long run saves them money.

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HEARTWORM SEASON & SOMETHING NEW

Heartworm season is practically year round these days. Due to the unpredictable winter weather, most people are giving their pets heartworm preventative year round. To get started, your pet should have a heartworm blood test to be sure she is negative for heartworms. The preventative is a once a month chewable which is very easy. These products now include medicines that also prevent many intestinal worms as well!

Just when you thought it was safe not to worry about your cat and heartworm disease research is showing that there are many more cats infected with heartworms that previously thought. The reason they haven't been showing up is that they usually don't show severe symptoms until they are deadly ill. Even veterinarians haven't known to look and test for the disease in the past but will be thinking of it more in the future. There is a now a heartworm disease preventative for cats, which although dosed differently, works much the same as the dog's version.

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A BREAK IN HOUSEBREAKING

Even a well trained dog can have an accident. Here are some possible reasons. First of all, any dog new in the home is likely to have an accident, so try not to judge him too quickly. Many dogs newly adopted or visiting at a friend's house have a transient problem, probably due to stress and a little confusion. Any other stress would qualify, as would a change in diet or circumstances. If the problem persists, is very frequent,includes loose stools or bloody urine, schedule with your vet to check for physical problems. Confine your dog till you can get him there so that he does not reinforce the behavior.

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BONES, BONES, BONES

A frequently asked question has to do with the safety of giving bones to dogs. You run a risk giving real animal bones to your pet. Chicken bones are a big No-No because they are small and sharp. They get caught in the mouth and can puncture the intestines. The problem with larger bones is that as the dog breaks off and eats small chips, these can build up in small turns of the intestines and cause a blockage. Raw bones have bacteria that may result in an infection. Signs of trouble after eating bones include pawing at the mouth, vomiting and diarrhea. Call your Vet. If you must give a bone, use a large cooked bone and take it away as soon as you hear pieces being cracked off.

Commercially made dog bones are usually safe. Animal hoofs and ears run the risk of infection if they were not properly sterilized. Rawhides are safe as long as your dog isn't gobbling them up in a few minutes. If eaten too fast, the larger pieces may swell up in the GI tract and cause discomfort and even an obstruction. Biscuit type treats are fine... just don't get carried away since not all of these are nutritionally balanced or low calorie!

Having a good chew is entertaining for you dog and good for his gums and teeth. So be careful what you chose to give him and you'll both be happy.

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ADULT DOG OR PUPPY?

There are pluses to both. Either way expect an adjustment period. Even a fully housebroken adult may backslide for a short while in a new home environment. Puppies have the full training process to go through which requires some time to mature. An adult that has not been housebroken previously can definitely still learn to do so with owner commitment. Ask the SPCA staff for advice on housebreaking for all ages.

Puppies are lots of fun and some people enjoy knowing the pet for most of its life. This can make adapting to other family members a little easier. Of course, puppies take training and go through chewing stages. They tend be very energetic once they have adjusted to their new home and good diet.

With adult dogs, "what you see is what you get", more or less. In other words, you can see the final size, and temperament of the dog. Very often, they are housebroken and through the chewing stages. This can make the adoption easier. Maturity brings a more settled pet which is a big plus for some families. Middle age doesn't mean impending medical problems if you practice preventative health care. They have less prospects than puppies and still have a lot to offer. I speak from experience when I say that they really seem to appreciate the second chance at loving home.

Come and visit the SPCA for an idea of the friends they have for adoption or just to get some petting in!

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RABIES

Rabies is still a serious problem in the United States. The reason for the concern is that it is one of the few diseases that crosses the species line. In other words, most viruses have a favorite host, one particular species. Rabies does not play favorites. It will infect about any warm blooded mammal, including humans. Since there is no cure, the stress is placed on prevention.

Rabies vaccines are required by law (and highly advisable) for dogs and cats. Cats who go outside are at highest risk. If bitten by an unknown animal, rabies will have to be considered a possibility and great care must be taken. Quarantines and a other special measures may be required. Don't risk it!

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YOUR PET'S DIET

There are many right ways to feed your pet, but there are also wrong ways! As much as our pets seem part human, their dietary requirements do differ from ours. Most pet food manufacturers do research and try to provide a good balanced diet for our pets. Some cheaper brands may not have consistency in the quality of ingredients. Another problem is their attempt to make the food appealing to the human owner by adding food colorings and other additives to make the food appear fit for human consumption. I don't believe our animal companions pay much attention to the food's appearance. Plain brown is fine with them.

Life stage diets are a good idea. A puppy or kitten can use higher levels of energy and protein. The senior pet needs less of these. Protein can actually harm an old pet's liver and kidneys.

If you have pets in different age groups, you can try segregating during meal time or compromise on what each gets by choosing a middle ground such as adult maintenance.

Some pets do well when introduced to a free choice diet where they can partake of as much dry food as they want when they want it. This is very easy for the pet and owner. Pets brought up this way surprisingly do not overeat. Of course their are some furry gluttons out there who must be given restricted amounts or they would surely overeat.

A common cause of obesity in pets is too much people food which is often high in fat. If this is true of your pet, just eliminating the table food may bring him or her down to the normal weight. Give snacks of regular dog food only in these cases. There are low fat diets varying in calorie restriction for reducing your pet's weight.

When you acquire a pet other than a dog or cat it is your responsibility to read and learn about its needs including diet. Your veterinarian and the SPCA are good sources of information. Each species is different. For example, many owners of pet birds provide a seed only diet. This has been proven to be an inadequate diet. Pet birds will suffer a significantly shorter life on an all seed diet. They require pelleted formulas as well as fresh fruits, vegetables and grains. Feed your pet wisely for a long life.

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A PILL TO SWALLOW

From time to time, you may need to give your pet a pill of medicine prescribed by your veterinarian. Here are some tips, but a lot depends on your pet's temperament, and your determination!

Hiding the medicine in a favorite food is an obvious place to start. Cheese has a strong smell and flavor and can often mask the concealed medicine. If your pet picks out the offending medicine, trying something sticky, like peanut butter for dogs or margarine for cats. The peanut butter is hard to spit out after its been rubbed off on the roof of their mouth !

We don't recommend putting medicine in a bowl of your pet's regular food, unless you watch to see if they eat it all. Otherwise, its hard to tell if they got their medicine this way.

You may be better off just pushing the pill down your pet's throat. The trick here is to catch "Fluffy" off guard. Don't let them see you making all the preparations. Have the pill or dropper ready in hand and pop into their mouth. If you catch them sleeping, it's usually down their throat before they know what happened!

The technique for pilling is to either use a pilling syringe (pill gun) and quickly push it to the back of the throat, then press the dispensing plunger, or use your fingers to do the same. We usually hold the pets head with our left hand holding across their cheek bones, tilt the head back slightly, then use the a finger of the right hand (reverse for "lefties"), to pull down the lower jaw and plunge your thumb and pointer finger, which are holding the pill down their throat. The further back you place the pill, the more likely they will swallow it.

Liquid droppers are available for some medications. The head is held the same way and the dropper is pushed into the mouth behind the large canine tooth.

Ask your vet for a demonstration or methods for other species such as birds and pocket pets. Too bad our animal friends don't know we are showing how much we love them by pushing things into their mouths!

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FLEAS, FLEAS, FLEAS

There are many new products on the market for flea control. The fleas should be worried because these products are giving humans the advantage in the age old flea wars.

There are oral tablets, oils you place on one spot only, and new super sprays for pet and environment. Many of the traditional products such as flea collars are better now too. Mixed in with the new are the old that are still okay, but haven't improved much. Some also control ticks. Others can be used on dogs but not cats. A few won't get washed off. You can mix certain products, but not others. Many products are available by prescription only at the vet's. In addition to the improved efficacy, most of the new active ingredients are much less hazardous to the environment. This is very important and makes me feel better about putting it on the patient! Just coming out are tablets that combine the flea control with heartworm and even intestinal parasite control... oh boy!

Now, are you properly confused? Don't feel bad. There are seminars for the veterinarians just to keep up with storm of new formulations. Your veterinarian and staff will help you chose. Fleas, beware!

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PET PEDICURES

Most pets need some help from you to keep their nails nice for indoor living. Your pet's nails are too long if the are tapping on the floor, pushing up on his her toes or getting caught on things.

It is best to use nail clippers designed for pets because they have curved blades which are less crushing. Nail clippers should be chosen to suit your pet's size. We prefer special cat nail scissors for our feline nail trims. Try to make it a low stress situation by casually coming over to your pet and trimming a few nails ,while rewarding them with pets and even treats.

Cat claws grow differently than dogs'. On a 1 to 2 month cycle, a cat will shed the outer layer of its claw and a new sharp claw will be revealed. This is why cats like scratching posts. It helps them get off the shedding layer. You can do an effective nail trim on a cat by just trimming the sharp tip. Cutting them shorter will not last longer.

Dog front nails usually grow longer than backs. If the nails have been overgrown for awhile, the blood vessels may have grown too long also. In this case you may need to ask your veterinarian to perform a nail cautery. At home, take small slivers at a time and check the cut edge. If you see a pink dot in the center, stop! If you do hit a bleeder with this method, you won't have gone too deep. Use pressure and hemostatic powder or cornstarch to help clot it quickly.

If you are just not comfortable with doing a nail trim or your pet is particularly squirmy, you may prefer to take your pet to a professional.

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SUMMER RELATED PET PROBLEMS

Veterinarians are usually busiest in the summer months. Summer offers more opportunities to get outside and sometimes meet up with hazards. Here are just a few:

Unfortunately, we see more "Hit By Cars" than at any other time. Owners let their pets out for the nice weather and often they are unsupervised or off the leash.

Fight wounds with the other neighborhood pets who are also out more now increase. Pets can also have tangles with wildlife. Be sure your pets' rabies vaccinations are current.

Heartworm disease season has begun. This disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. Your veterinarian has preventative medications.

Intestinal parasite eggs are developing on the soil and are picked up on your pets feet.

Fleas! Of course fleas prefer the warm weather and are in their glory in the summer months. Ticks also are moving into peak season. They are found most often in the woods and tall grass.

Sunburn only occurs on sparsely haired areas and most often on white pets. White dogs with a pink (unpigmented) noses are most susceptible.

Heat stroke can occur after only a few minutes in a parked car. If your pet is outdoors, be sure he/she has access to shade and water. Check on them frequently.

Pregnancy needs an opportunity and being out on their own can result in litters that are hard to find homes for.

If they're out on their own or escape your yard, your pet will may add to the numbers of lost pets. Help prevent this with supervision, tags and microchipping. Ask your veterinarian or the SPCA staff if you would like advice on any of these topics.

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ANTIFREEZE DANGER

This is a good time of year to remind you about the dangers of antifreeze. If drained on to the pavement instead of using a pan for proper disposal, this substance can kill animals! Unfortunately, antifreeze has a sweet taste and attracts animals, including dogs and cats, to lick it. Just a tiny amount can be fatal. If you witness this occurring , take the animal to the vet immediately!

The good news is that some caring companes have formulated an antifreeze that is nontoxic. Why not ask for, and buy these products. It may save lives and reward the companies that made this effort.

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IF YOU FIND A LOST PET

Obviously, if it is unsupervised. It needs assistance. House cats that get lost outside need your help as much as a lost dogl Check for a collar and tag. If it has a tag. check the number and address and call the owners or drive It home. A rabies tag can usually be traced through the veterinary hospital from which it was issued. A dog license, through the license agency. While you are doing this and if possible, place the animal in a safe place. It is helpful to keep a spare loop lease in the car.

Do not risk injury to yourself. If you can not catch the animal, at least report it the police department, who will dispatch the proper personel to try and help. They will then have a report of where it was last sighted in case the owner calls in. If there is no tag, you can do one or more of the following: call a report or take the animal to the SPCA, keep the animal a few days and place a free found ad in the classified and even post signs and ask around the neighborhood. It is a good feeling to help animal in need.

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SPAY & NEUTER SURGERIES
(Ovariohysterectomy and Castration)

What is ovariohysterectomy? This is the surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries from the abdomen of a female animal.

What is castration? This is the surgical removal of the testicles from the scrotum (an ablation also removes the scrotum and must be requested). Cryptorchid (hidden testicle) castration requires removing a testicle that never descended from the abdomen.

What is the purpose? The spay is the only foolproof method of birth control. It is permanent. A spayed animal no longer will have heat cycles and therefore no unpleasant spotting of blood and false pregnancies of dogs in heat or howling in cats. A neutered male dog has decreased roaming, mounting and aggressive behavior and is easier to train. Male cats must have this surgery to be a house pet because it usually eliminates spraying and decreases the strong tomcat urine odor. The health benefits are significant. There is a much lower risk of reproductive tract cancers and no chance of a serious uterine infection. Remember, mammary and testosterone related cancers are particularly common in older unspayed or uncastrated pets.

Do pets gain weight after the surgery? Your pet should not gain weight if kept on a balanced diet and has regular exercise.

Should pets have one litter before they are spayed? There is absolutely no benefit to having had a litter. With the current numbers of unwanted pets and the health concerns and costs of a pregnancy, and unless you are a professional breeder, it is not recommended to breed your pet. Intact male animals definitely contribute to pet population tragedy.

How is a spay performed? The surgery is performed under anesthesia. The abdomen is shaved, scrubbed, and prepared for surgery. An incision is made through the skin and under-lying layers of tissues. The ovaries, uterus and vessels are identified, and ligated and removed. The layers are sutured back together. Your pet will spend the night and be checked before going home the next day. Most animals spring back amazingly fast, especially when compared to their human friends having similar procedures!

How is castration performed? The animal is anesthetized, the lower abdomen and scrotal areas are clipped, scrubbed, and prepped for surgery. One midline incision is made above the scrotum and the testicles are removed through it. The vessels are ligated and the incision is sutured. Male animals usually go home the same day as surgery. They rarely even look back!

Please ask us if you have any questions about these safe and common procedures.

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WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PET IS LOST OR STOLEN

1.
Act immediately--Every second counts.
2.
Contact the York County SPCA or call them at 225-5532, and also please send us your pet's photo.
3.
Contact the York Kennel Club Lost & Found at (717) 235-3914.
4.
Contact the following Radio Stations: WOYK at 266-6606, WYCR at 792-0098 or 637-3831. You must call daily.
5.
Contact Animal Rescue at 993-3232.
6.
Contact Animal Control & Rescue League at 244-9747.
7.
Contact State Dog Wardens: Cathy Purcell at (717) 259-8651 (South of Route 30) Donald Neuman at (717) 432-7192 (North of Route 30).
8.
Contact the local Police Departments and Animal Control Officers for the muinicipality you live in and also surrounding areas.
9.
Contact the York Newspapers. They will run a lost/found ad for free for four days. (717) 767-4237.
10.
Put posters/fliers in local businesses and give them to: local veterinarians, area groomers, your mail carrier, neighbors, area children and regular delivery people.

We hope that you never have to use this information, but if you do, we hope that your pet is safely returned to you!

Please ALWAYS protect your pet by having them wear PERSONAL ID TAGS with your name, address and phone number.

The York County SPCA offers free ID Tags for the safety of your pet. You do not have to adopt an animal from the SPCA shelter to request a SPCA Tag.

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PERMANENT IDENTIFICATION

Tatooing: It's a good idea to tattoo your pet as a means of permanent identification. You may choose any identifying number, but it's important to pick a number that won't change over time or be hard to trace. The best is a lifetime license number.

A lifetime Dog License is available to owners who tattoo their dog. This license is much more economical over the dog's life than annual licenses. Currently, the price for a lifetime license from PA is $21 or $51, depending on your dog's sex and spay/neuter status. In order to qualify you must have your dog tattooed with the assigned PA number. If you are interested, you should plan ahead to get your Lifetime License Number.

This can be obtained from the County Treasurer's Office: 1 W. Market St., 771-9224.

An excellent time to plan your pet's tattoo is when he/she is already under anesthesia for another procedure such as spaying or neutering. We believe the tattooing procedure to be too uncomfortable for an alert animal.

Microchip ID Tags: Micro-chipping under the skin is a new and permanent way to identify your pet. It can be used on any species. Zoos have been using them for years! A special scanner can read the chip's number. Any veterinarian who uses the chips will have a scanner. Most animal shelters, including our own York County SPCA, uses the scanner on all incoming animals in an effort to reunite lost or stolen pets with their owners. Once your pet has been identified at a scanner location, they will be traced through our office, where we will keep permanent records of the ID numbers and trace the number back to you. Alternatively, you may elect to register yourself directly with the chip company (they charge a one time fee for this), which will result in your being contacted directly.

The chip is so small that neither you nor your pet will know it is there. Since it is under the skin it can never be lost. We feel this is a very valuable tool in preventing pets from being permanently separated from their owners.

It is still important for your pet to wear a collar tag as this helps neighbors easily identify your pet!

Please contact us if you have any questions about tattooing or micro-chipping and the costs of these procedures.

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Veterinary Medicine

Being a veterinarian is a very rewarding career. Most people think that love for animals is all it takes. It is important to remember that behind most pet animals, there is a human owner, so you must also enjoy dealing with people. There are different opportunities in veterinary medicine. The best known is being a small animal veterinarian, working primarily with pet animals. Then there is the "large animal veterinarian" who works with farmers and their livestock. A veterinarian may even limit him or herself to one species such as horses (equine veterinarian). Some of these veterinarians have to realize that their patients are economic entities instead of loved ones. And even with the loved pets, economic decisions are sometimes a harsh reality. There are veterinarians who do research and rarely work with animals at all.

The reason I find helping animals so rewarding is that they are innocent creatures who depend us. I like to bring them comfort from pain and fear. I like the people who love their animals because I feel a kinship with them in their concerns. Being interested in science is just as important, as you will need to use it everyday. Each day brings new challenges that you may not be able to prepare for. Some cases are like puzzles. You must keep current because medicine is always changing and you must know what the latest best treatment is. In this way, you are self-schooling all your career. If you are interested in animals, people, and scholastics, veterinary medicine can be a great way to spend your working life.

Here are a few tips on the "Art of Getting into Vet School":

  • Typically, veterinary college is a 4 year post-graduate program (after 4 years of college), a total of 8 years of college. Further internships and residencies to sub-specialize are optional. Entrance to veterinary college is considered competitive.
  • Good grades in a variety of strong subjects, stressing the sciences.
  • Experience in the field, working with animals and veterinarians.
  • Ability to communicate well.
  • Pre-visit veterinary colleges, and as application to veterinary college approaches, meet with the admission counselors to find out what they are looking for in the candidates.

I hope your choice will be something you will enjoy, as mine was for me!

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DON'T SUPPORT PUPPY FACTORIES

As a veterinarian in York County, I have witnessed many sick and dying puppies that were produced in local puppy mills.

Many people have no idea that they purchased their puppy from a puppy mill or are not aware of what a puppy mill is. Lancaster County is known throughout the country as a puppy mill county. There are mass "breeders" in Lancaster County who individually sell more than a thousand puppies within a year.

Yes, they are USDA-inspected "kennels," but that really doesn't mean anything. The USDA has very few inspectors to follow through with investigations. If you follow the media, you'll see the same "breeders" again and again on charges of animal neglect and cruelty.

Cash factory: The puppies that come out of these puppy mills are the fortunate ones. It is the breeding stock that suffers the most. Those dogs are stuck there to breed until they die. It is a cash factory in the "breeder's" mind. I had one new puppy owner who told me that the "breeder" where their puppy was purchased "only" bred his dog twice year and he "likes to give the dogs a break." People must be aware of the fact that dogs only go into heat twice yearly, so it is not physically possible to breed them more than twice a year.

These dogs are often treated just like dairy cattle and are nothing more than livestock to the puppy mill owner. When selecting a puppy or dog, it is best to go to reputable breeder or rescue operation. A reputable breeder would have no interest in selling puppies to a pet store. A reputable breeder usually deals with one or two breeds, not 40 breeds, available 365 days out of the year. We've all seen the ads in the paper listing many breeds of dogs available for purchase at one location. That should send out a red flag.

Some tips: At least one of the puppy's parents should be available for inspection on site. If they are not, walk away because this is another red flag. Don't let the "breeders" tell you that the parents are "at a friend's house" or "in Ohio." If you should walk into one of these facilities and see several puppies of serveral different breeds raised in a barn, you are most likely at a puppy mill/factory. A quality breeder breeds for the love of the breed and to enhance the good qualities of that breed. They do NOT do it for greed and money. Puppies need human interaction when they are young if there is to be proper socialization. Raising them in a barn is not the best way to have them properly socialized.

The best way to find a reputable dog breeder is to visit a dog show and talk to the individuals involved with the breed you are interested in. There are also many breed-specific rescue groups nationwide and many have local contacts. Magazines such as Dog World and Dog Fancy list reputable breeders and rescue agencies; you need to do your reseach. Our local shelters also receive a large percentage of purebred dogs that are available for adoption.

People are getting duped on a daily basis by puppy mill owners and I have lost track of how many puppy mill puppies I have seen scucumb to parvovirus, coccidiosis, kennel cough and other health problems. It is very heartbreaking for me to see these poor animals and I feel sorry for the owners.

I remember one puppy mill puppy who died of parvovirus shortly after purchase. The family's 2-year-old daughter was crying and wondering where "Elmo" went. The public needs to stop supporting the puppy mill establishment. That is the only way that we can ever shut them down and end the suffering. People think they are doing something good because they are saving the puppy from that situation, but in reality all they are doing is keeping the puppy mills in business. If no one buys those puppies, they will eventually shut down.

Puppy "Lemon Law": Consumers need to be aware of their rights. In Pennsylvania, consumers are fortunate to have some protection under the Dog Purchaser Protection Act (Puppy Lemon Law Senate Bill 182). All new puppy buyers need to familiarize themselves with this law and contact the Attorney General (1-800-441-2555) if they feel they have been cheated. It is our right and responsibility to make sure that the puppy mill owners are held accountable for their actions, and we need to hit them where it hurts.

Puppies should not be purchased in the same way we would buy shoes or food. When we go into a shoe store, we expect to find a large variety of shoes to choose from, which is great for shoes, but not for living, breathing puppies. As the holidays are fast approaching, please remember not to support your local puppy mill and to look to shelters, rescues, and reputable breeders for your newest family member.

For more information on your rights under the Dog Purchaser Protection Act (Puppy "Lemon Law"), click here: http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/pei/dog/index.cfm.

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