Operating a puppy mill is itself a criminal activity

There are an estimated 10,000 puppy mills in the United States today. Most of the dogs at these mass-breeding facilities have no quality of life. They live permanently in small wire cages with little or no human attention, no exercise or veterinary care.

While there is not a legal definition at this time, the case of Avenson v. Zegart (1984) defined a Puppy Mill as, "a dog breeding operation in which the health of the dogs is disregarded in order to maintain a low overhead and maximize profits." 

The ASPCA defines a puppy mill as, "A large-scale commercial dog breeding operation that places profit over the well-being of its dogs-who are often severely neglected-and acts without regard to responsible breeding practices." 

Now, the term, "large-scale" congures thoughts of warehouses and factory farms, which is accurate in some instances. However any situation in which dogs are being bred for profit without proper care, exercise and human interaction consitutes a puppy mill. 

An example of a small-scale puppy mill was brought to my attention just today: 

San Diego firefighters responding to a report of a garage fire stumbled on an illegal marijuana grow and a puppy mill inside a Chula Vista area home. The bedrooms in the home were used for the puppymill and grow operation, so the family, including a 3 year old, lived in the living room. Officers found 60 to 80 marijuana plants and around 20 puppies, including  Yorkies, Bulldogs and Doberman Pinschers. The dogs were confiscated by San Diego County Department of Animal Services. 

Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Puppy-Mill-Marijuana-Grow-Baby-Chollas-Creek-House-Fire-San-Diego-225961591.html#ixzz2gV7YmUtg

Now these people sell their puppies either to a "puppy store," on the street or online, to the highest bidder.  You too can have one of their puppies. It doesn't matter who you are or what you plan to do with those puppies.

Do they care if you plan to abuse or torture the puppies? No. 
Do they mind if you plan to use the puppies as bait in an illegal dog fighting syndicate? No. 

Do they mind if you plan to sell the puppies to a lab for vivisection? No. 
Do they care if you plan to make a stew of the puppies and eat them for dinner? No they do not.

All of these things acutally happen by the way. I'm not making up fantastical stories to get you going. It's just that we don't want to accept that there are people who would be that evil. 

There are people who would be that evil. 

These are criminals, people. These are the "bad guys." Operating a puppy mill is itself a criminal activity, because it constitues abuse and neglect of animals, which is a Federal offense. We want to put them out of business. 

If not for the dogs who are abused and neglected in the puppy mills, please don't buy puppies from craigslist, a "puppy store" or off the street. Go to your local shelter, where the buyer is screened, (no convicted animal abusers are allowed to adopt) and the animals are given proper medical care, food, water, human contact and exercise. 

If you're looking for a reputable shelter near you, try petfinder.com., or contact your city or county for more information. 

Time Changes Everything, but the Song Remains The Same.

Those who know me personally know that The Good Dog Inc. is no longer offering day and night care for dogs. Instead, The Good Dog Inc. is sharing information, resources, and links to facts, opinions and ideas related to dogs and to the development of a greater understanding of the human-animal bond.

So here we go!

Why You Want to Donate to HSUS (Because You Can't Do Everything)

Contrary to popular assumption, there is no one Humane Society. When you give to your local Humane Society or SPCA, you are supporting a small, local non-profit organization, which does not have any real affiliation with any larger organization. It's not like the UC System. It's every organization for themselves.

The  Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) DOES however, provide services which benefit you in your local digs. They influence federal, state, and international policy on animal welfare. They go to court and fight against animal abuse, torture, and cruelty. They do this for all of us, without our even asking. You are welcome.

A BIG thing HSUS does is to conduct animal rescue efforts before, during and after disasters. They were there after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. They are there after earthquakes. They are there after floods, hurricanes, and fires.  They are there now, rescuing animals in Alabama, Mississippi and Missouri.

So when you donate to HSUS, you are investing in a program which benefits all of us all the time, and some of us at critical times, when no one else can help. Give to the Humane Society of the United States, because they do what you can't do: Everything. 

Tomorrow is San Diego Humane Society’s Barkin’ Beach Bash!

Tomorrow, May 7th is San Diego Humane Society’s Barkin’ Beach Bash!  Bring your furry and non-furry friends and have a tail-waggin' good time as you walk to celebrate your love of animals. You'll help San Diego Humane raise much-needed funds to ensure that pets throughout San Diego receive the care they so deserve.  Festivities will include a three-quarter-mile walk, vendors, tasty food, and more!

follow me on twitter: @thegooddoginc

What A Dog Wants

The seed of The Good Dog was planted years ago. I've always loved animals more than the average person seems too, especially dogs and cats. After many years of working in shelter environments, and using the services of other, less-than-spectacular pet care businesses, I began to understand that not only was there a market for something better, but that I was the person who should be filling the void and providing what I always wanted  for my own animals: the BEST. 

Today  The Good Dog provides loving day and night care for pets (in my home or yours) and other services including dog-walking and airport/hotel pickup and drop-off. 

One day, The Good Dog will be a full-service luxury "hotel for dogs." a fabulous day and night care facility, with grooming, retail, space for training, events, and more!

Open for Business!

The Good Dog now provides day and night care for dogs, cats, -- and most other animals too!

The Good Dog provides pet-sitting, day care, boarding, and dog walking services. We also love cats, horses, farm animals, birds, and reptiles!

What Your Dog Can't Tell You

I wish my dogs could talk. I am genuinely interested in their opinions, and have consulted them on all kinds of topics. Which dress should I wear? Is it too cold to go outside? Are you as hungry as I am? Do these pants make my butt look big?

One area for which the gift of language would be a huge plus, is with regard to our dogs' health issues. Most importantly,

How do you know when your dog is in pain?

Dogs are known to mask their pain voluntarily, particularly when the pain is caused by something they enjoy, including playing/running/catching/chasing/eating. Dogs with burned pads have been known to continue to run alongside their oblivious owners, in their comfy running shoes, for miles past the point of pain. Veterinarians see it all the time.

But what about internal pain? Stomach issues, ear aches, sore throats and headaches are all conditions that dogs can and do get, but we humans generally miss these painful problems until and unless theres' an external manifestation of internal pain. Throwing up, scratching at the ear or rubbing it on surfaces, coughing or choking are usually what we see when the pain has reached a point of being unbearable.

My dog Katie has allergies that have affected her skin, ears and eyes. I can only imagine that she has stomach or other internal discomfort related to allergic reactions, but I never know anything until the skin erupts, the ear is infected, the eye begins to tear.

Our job then is to be looking for behaviors that could indicate that something "lies beneath."  If i could just ask her, "How are you feeling?"  I would feel a heck of alot better.

The Good Dog: Happy New Year! Keep It Happy: Keep The Dogs In On...

The Good Dog: Happy New Year! Keep It Happy: Keep The Dogs In On...: "When humans get crazy, it often means trouble for dogs. Loud noises, unfamiliar people in the house, loud parties and thumping music can fri..."

Happy New Year! Keep It Happy: Keep The Dogs In On New Year's Eve!

When humans get crazy, it often means trouble for dogs. Loud noises, unfamiliar people in the house, loud parties and thumping music can frighten your dog.

If you're celebrating, put your dog indoors in a safe, quiet location, where visitors aren't likely to go.

If you plan to have a party or an open house, chances are that front door is going to be left open a few times, so keep the animals in a separate room, so that no dogs or kitties are accidentally left outside.

Traffic will be crazy, and there are drunks driving, so if your dog or cat get out on New Year's Eve, the chances are higher that they will be hit by a car.

Over the New Year Holiday, Animal Services are overtasked, and the shelters typically don't open or answer calls until the following business day, so if your dog or cat is lost on Friday,  you may not know if he's been found for Monday or after! That would be awful, right? Right!! SO,

Don't let your New Year become tragic! Protect your pets!