Promote Spay and Neutering Programs - according to one source, only 1 in 100 cats and dogs ever find a home for life - and may end up euthanized or turned loose to die from any number of hazards. One sure fire way to reduce the number of pets at animal control (and on the roadsides) is to spay and neuter! Don't make the mistake of thinking that purebred pups are immune to these fates - nearly 60% of the animals at animal controls are purebred pets. One way of looking at it is that you are not only responsible for finding safe, loving homes for your 5-8 puppies, but think of the puppies that THEY will be having in the next year, and so on. You may love the puppies, but chances are high that within one generation, some of their offspring will be abandoned.

Promote Adoption from Humane Societies, Animal Control Shelters and Purebred Rescue Organizations! Many of these facilities regularly have a wide selection of pets for adoption at fees than may include spay/neuter and shots for less than the price of a visit to the veterinarian with another animal. Also, there are many purebred animals at these facilities, and many of these animals are already trained.

Plan for your new pet, or help someone who is planning to add a pet to the family. A new pet is a lot of responsibility, not just a cute new toy to throw out in the back yard when it gets to big. Plan for a long-term commitment - many cats live 15-20 years, and different breeds of dogs live just as long. There is the yearly cost to consider; food, shelter, shots, and the occasional illness. If you plan to be moving soon, start early looking for a place where your pets can stay with you, or finding another home for them.

Recently, we rescued and placed a dog with a great family - and they returned it in less than a month because they decided to move to a new home that didn't allow pets. While we are grateful that the dog was returned for another chance, it is hard on the animal to be moved around so much.

The number one reason canines are abandoned is lack of training! Many animals, when young, capture our hearts. But puppies and kittens grow up very fast, and if not properly trained, abandoned. Housetraining is so important, and there are many different methods to housetrain a dog. We use the Crate Training method. It has proven to be effective every time! Obedience training is a must.

Nobody wants their once cute puppy, now a 60 lb dog, to jump on their children, chew up the furniture, or haul them down the street on a "walk". Obedience training takes as little as 20 minutes a day, and courses are inexpensive and effective. We use positive reinforcement for our own animals, and it works wonders. "Canine Good Citizen" is a certificate offered to mixed breed dogs who pass obedience trials.

Volunteer with your local rescue organizations! Nearly every town has an animal shelter that needs help; or if you can't bring yourself to go there, frequently there are private rescue organizations in your area. These organizations would love to have your help! Either answering phones, feeding or playing with the animals, or even foster caring for animals for a short period before their adoption. Other areas include working with the media, going to schools to educate the young, creating a t-shirt to sell, making doggy bisquit bags - the opportunities are limitless! And if you haven't the time, monetary donations always help out.