
DOG
CARE
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.
Back
to Top
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.
Back
to Top
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.
Back
to Top
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.
Back
to Top
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.
Back
To Top
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!
Back
to Top
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!
Back
to Top
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.
Back
to Top
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!
Back to Top
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!
Back
to Top
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.
Back
to Top
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.
Back
to Top
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.
Back
to Top
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.
Back
to Top
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.
Back
to Top
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.
Back
to Top
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.
Back
to Top
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!
Back
to Top
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.
Back
to Top |