Just a quick update...

Marco, the 10-year old American Cocker Spaniel, has been adopted. He is now living with his younger brother Scruffy (adopted in 2008) and their wonderful family. Dorky the little terrier-mix female has also been adopted to a loving home and now has a big sister Lab-mix and a cat to share her bed with. Not only did she get a new home but she also got a new name, from Dorky to Corky to Cookie! Thank you to everyone who donated so generously towards vet care for her teeth and surgery to have a mass removed from her belly.

Reader's Digest, July 2009
Canada’s Puppy Mill Scandal

The #1 way to avoid supporting puppy mills? Do not buy a puppy from a pet store!

Read the full article here: Readers Digest July 2009 - Canada’s Puppy Mill Scandal

Where do you think pet stores get their puppies from? Responsible breeders? No, responsible breeders actually care about their puppies and would never sell them to strangers over the counter like candy in a convenience store. If the pet store owners are breeding dogs themselves, they'd have to be doing a hell of a lot of breeding to keep a store in business. Its not like they can pay for the costs associated with running a store with one litter of pups every few months. They require a steady supply of puppies in order to pay the bills. Where do those puppies come from? You guessed it... puppy mills and backyard breeders.

You can avoid supporting the irresponsible breeders and puppy mill operators that sell puppies in pet stores by boycotting these stores. Paws & Claws pet store at 831 N. May Street is the only pet store in Thunder Bay that sells puppies. The store is owned by self-admitted backyard breeder Loretta Nummikoski and partner Steve Clark. Protesters have been peacefully demonstrating against the selling of puppies in pet stores every Saturday from Noon-2pm in front of Silver City/CLE grounds.

Six is one of my previously adopted pitbulls, she was returned to me on May 1st. Here she shows what a great dog she is on her first outting with the LDR pack...

PLEASE NOTE: I will not be taking in any more dogs!... until the end of the year, that is. It's been ten years since I've had a break and less than 12 dogs in the house so this year I've planned a vacation for August and September. I'm hoping to have all or most of the rescue dogs placed by then, and all of my dogs will be coming with me. I'm not going anywhere exotic, just to a friends home in British Columbia. She is a director of a small breed dog rescue called "Furever After" and has acres of property for the dogs to run. It will be a nice relaxing vacation for us all. So between now and when I return I will not be taking in any more dogs, sorry. I can try to help place dogs if needed.

You can now access the site at www.localdogrescue.com and www.isavedogs.com

I Save Dogs (aka Local Dog Rescue) is a private no-kill dog rescue dedicated to caring for unwanted dogs in the Thunder Bay area. Run voluntarily from my home, i'm just a guy with a love for animals doing what I can to provide a safe caring environment for dogs in need until permanent loving homes can be found. All of my dogs live indoors in a cage-free environment, are well socialized and get plenty of exercise through country hikes, runs at the dog park, walks around town and good ol' fashion doggy play! Socializing helps make for a well-balanced dog, making the transition to your home easier and a lot less stressful for them (and you).

If you are realistic about providing a loving home to a dog that might bark, jump, dig, chew, shed hair and has less than perfect manners, grab some treats and come on in. And thanks for visiting.

Please come back soon as the site developes...

Paws & Claws Pet Store suing Local Dog Rescue

A local pet store is trying to take food from the mouths of my dogs by filing a small claims suit. Loretta Nummikoski and her partner Steve Clark of the Sensational Hotrods, the owners of Paws & Claws pet store at 831 N. May St., filed the suit on March 19 2008. Paws & Claws is the only pet store in Thunder Bay selling puppies in a retail environment. The suit claims damages in the amount of $10,000 for "harassment, slander and defemation". While there is no breakdown of any actual damages, I anticipate they may try to blame a loss of business solely on me while ignoring the fact that they started a business in an era where the use of animals for financial gain is no longer tolerated by many. A self-proclaimed dog broker, Nummikoski posted many ads on Kijiji.com. In one ad she wrote:

"Where do you figure people should buy a family companion from, ckc breeders only. I breed family pets, if I was truly in it for the millions you think I make I would breed CKC dogs, thats where the money is. I sell my chihuahuas for $600 a CKC chihuahua is $1200 figure it out, it doesn't take anymore work because the dog is CKC. Perhaps you should do your homework Mr. Way as you seem to have so much time on your hands, there are more CKC breeders charged per capita for miss treatment of their animals than the backyard breeders like me."

Maybe they've never heard of health testing? It's something responsible breeders do to ensure the parents are healthy before they breed. Fyi, the CKC prohibits its members from selling their pups in pet stores. The Ontario SPCA opposes the deliberate breeding and selling of crossbred animals in pet stores. Personally I think people should adopt a companion from a shelter or rescue so that millions of dogs aren't euthanized every year, but thats just my opinion. This store is a retail outlet and does not "rescue" or "adopt" animals. They "sell" animals for profit only. They have no affiliation with any of the reputable Paws & Claws animal rescues and shelters across Canada.

As always, I encourage people to boycott pet stores that sell puppies. Do not support the puppy mill industry.

I'll keep you posted on the outcome...

*Read this article from the Chronicle Journal, Feb 1 2009.

Familiar with the show "DogTown"? Then you've probably heard of the Best Friends Animal Society. Click this link to read their 3-page fact sheet titled Frequently Asked Questions About Puppy Mills.

 

CBC's Marketplace uncovers the truth behind pet store puppies. Its a simple equation really; reputable breeders would never sell their puppies to a pet store because they care about the health and safety of their pups and screen homes before placing them. Pet stores on the other hand will sell a pup to anyone with cash in hand, no questions asked. So where do they get their puppies from? Most pet store pups originate from puppymills and irresponsible backyard breeders. Some pet store owners even run puppy farms out of their homes, pimping out their own dogs to supply their stores. Most pet stores that sell puppies care about only one thing - money, with little concern for the welfare of the dogs they sell. The best way to put an end to these stores is to boycott stores that sell puppies.

 

Sitting nice for cookies

Think two dogs in your bed is a lot? How about eleven big dogs in your kitchen!

 

 

RAYMOND'S BIG DAY!

Raymond's dog park video has been moved to the videos page!