It is that time of year when everyone and their mother's cousin wants to get a puppy for their child to put under the tree from Santa, a Birthday, Easter, Valentine's Day, you name it people want to give the gift of a new puppy. What we can do as an educated animal parent to help make sure people that we know and those who we don't know make better more informed decisions before bringing a pet into their homes.
1. Listen - Figure out who around us is in the market for a puppy and help steer them in the right direction.
2. Educate - Help educate about breed specific rescues and responsible breeders.
3. Get the word out -Email them links to adorable rescue pups on Craig's List, articles on finding and choosing a reputable breeder and articles websites and books about figuring out which breed is right for the family.
4. Check infodog for shows in your area and tell people that are looking for purebred dogs to check out the show and speak to the breeders and owners there about where they got their dogs and if they know of reputable breeders in the area with a litter on the way.
5. Educate some more tell people that a pup is not for under the tree or for Birthday presents or in Easter baskets but leashes, collars, dog beds, bones, toys, clothes, a book about caring and living with the breed or a dog encyclopedia so everyone can pick out the dogs they like and read about them a bit to see if they are the right fit, and a framed picture of the pup or a certificate for a pup is a perfect present to make everyone excited about the soon to be new addition to the family