Why Adopt Instead of Buy?

Every day I have conversations with people about our dogs and cats.  And every day I am suprised at the statements that I hear.  One person actually said to me, "I don't want a used pet."  Another said to me, "You just don't know what you are getting with a rescued pet.  They always come with baggage."  Such statements are difficult for me to hear but easy for me to respond to.

When it comes time to add a pet to your home, you pretty much have three choices: a pet store, a breeder or a rescue.  95% of pets in a pet store come from puppy mills.  Dogs are considered a commodity in puppy mills, kept in small, often unsanitary, crates, bred continuously until worn out, with no regard to genetic problems.  These puppies can have physical issues that present themselves later in life, or worse yet, overbreeding can result in the extreme display of undesirable personality traits ~ hyperactivity, territorial instincts, aggressiveness.....  

If you go the breeder route, you have to be extremely careful of the breeder.  Some breeders are not a lot better than puppy mills in that they do not screen their dogs for genetic problems or personality issues.  They may have a cute dog that they breed with a neighbor's because they think it will be a fun experience for the family, or they may breed their dog for the extra income.  If they have not had the dogs thoroughly screened first by a vet and researched its family tree, they do not really know what they are producing.  My "favorite" ones are those who crossbreed and create names for them like "Golden Doodle," "Bully Bassett," or "Shihdoodle."  We never cease to be amazed at people who will pay top dollar for these mutts because someone has labelled them "Designer Breeds."  Uh, ok..... 

A quality breeder invests in genetic and personality screening, but you can expect to pay a significant amount for their puppies.  They produce only dogs that are up to breed standards and they screen their potential families extensively. If you are determined to get a purebreed, a quality breeder is the only way we would recommend.  

So why would you consider a rescue dog?  Most of them come to us due to family difficulties ~ financial downturns, moving, divorce and such.  They are wonderful pets with no issues who are as mystified as to their situation as we are.  Some of them come out of abusive situations.  These are the ones for which my heart breaks.  They cower when a newspaper page is turned, a hand is raise, a person moves quickly toward them.  They long to trust and be loved, and in a safe home they usually quickly turn into the exuberant pets they were meant to be.  Some pets come to us because of unacceptable behavior ~ aggressiveness, not housebroken, hyperactivity.  We clearly identify these issues to potential adopters.  We work with the pets while they are in our care to help overcome them.  We even have professional dog trainers who work with some of them and their adopting families to ensure that they behavior is modified.  In other words, we strive for no returns due to suprises.  Our goal is to match the right pet with the right family.  Our screeners will frequently approve a family to adopt but direct them toward a more approriate animal than the one for which they applied. No one can promise you that the dog or cat you take into your home will be perfect, whether from a pet store, a breeder or a rescue.  But we can promise that we will do our utmost to match you with the right animal, that we will be honest in our assessment of the pets in our care, and that, when you adopt a rescued pet, you have saved a life.  There is a certain joy in just that last statement ~ you have saved a life!

Fundraising Opportunites! 

There are lots of easy ways to help raise money for the abandoned pets of Central Florida.  Here are a few!

Don't Google ~ Use Goodsearch Instead!!!  When you need to find something on the internet, use http://www.goodsearch.com/ and select Pet Rescue By Judy as the charity for which you search for.  Each time you search, we will receive one penny!  So far we have raised over $1,000.  Cool!  Tip: click Verify after you enter Pet Rescue By Judy and it will automatically be downloaded as your choice in the future. 

Help Pet Rescue By Judy - PRBJ every time you shop online and search the web by downloading the GoodSearch/GoodShop toolbar!  Each time you shop at one of more than 1,000 participating top stores (from Amazon to Zazzle!), Pet Rescue By Judy - PRBJ will earn a percentage of the purchase price – at no extra cost to you! It also includes a search box and each time you search the web, about a penny is donated to Pet Rescue By Judy - PRBJ.  http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbars.aspx?charityID=848019

Recycle Your Used Ink/Toner Cartridges and Cell Phones.  We are working with a recycling company that pays us cash in exchange for these items.  Just drop off the items at one of our adoption events or our Sanford Center.  And recruit your neighbors, friends and coworks to participate as well!

Donate a Kuranda Bed! Our new indoor runs are so big there is plenty of room for a bed, and our pets love to sleep on Kuranda beds, but we do not have enough for everyone.  If you would like to donate a bed at discounted price, please click kuranda.com.

Would you like to help? We are always in need of Foster Homes . Fostering for a week or a month can make a difference in an animal's life.    Also, we welcome help with feeding, cleaning, adoptions, paperwork, photography - whenever you have the time to give, we appreciate you. Apply to be a Volunteer !  And, of course, we are always in need of donations - money, food, crates, towels,etc. You can even come to the aid of a specific animal through our Sponsorship Program .    Thank you!    And remember, always spay and neuter your pets!!! Here is a thoughtful photo journal to make the point.