While sitting at the neighborhood Starbucks this morning, reading the paper and sipping my hot chocolate, I overheard two women chatting about "shopping" for a new puppy as an addition to one of their families.  Although I very much wanted to intervene and send them running straight to the county Humane Society or breed rescue, I just sat and listened as they discussed the numbers of area shops where one can still purchase a puppy right off the shelf as if buying a handbag or a new pair of shoes. 



We at Hanna Banana love all dogs of all origins, but in an effort to raise awareness about the sad truths of buying puppies at pet stores, want to provide some useful info to those who might be shopping.







First, check out the Humane Society of the US website for some info on puppy mills, and why they're so rotten:



http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/get_the_facts_on_puppy_mills/







Next, let's find some alternatives to "shopping" for puppies!



   -  Check out your local Humane Society or SPCA.



       -  For those of you in Montgomery County:



           www.mchumane.org



           www.mcspca.org



   -   Local and breed-related rescue organizations are a great place to start if  you have a specific breed in mind.  Both rescues and shelters have people to help you pick a dog to suit your needs and your household.  It's like having a personal shopper! :)



        -  There are so many rescue groups, that it would be impossible to name them all.  Just google what you're looking for, and the options are endless!



   -   Look in the local paper or on Craig's List for dogs that need rehoming.



   -   Of course, we all think that puppies are adorable, and there's nothing like raising one of your own, but maybe consider the benefits of an older dog.  For the most part, they're a little more calm and may need less training and house-breaking than a puppy.  If adopting from a shelter or rescue, more may be known about the dog since it's a little older and maybe less of a wild card!  Your carpets could look nicer, your shoes could keep their heels, the benefits could be endless!  But, most importantly, think of that furry old soul left at the shelter for one of the thousands of reasons people give up their pets.  A life dedicated to a family or a person, or maybe one that never knew the joys of a caring owner and a warm place to sleep, left lonely and confused, sitting in a shelter.  There's no more rewarding feeling than bringing that old guy home and introducing them to a life worth living. 







OK, dog shoppers...  Go forth and make a difference in some dog's life! :)