consider adopting from your local animal shelter. Most have more than dogs and cats. We adopted a guinea pig from our local shelter and she's so sweet. We paid just $5.00 for her. I have seen birds, turtles, bunnies, lizards, hamsters and so many other pets at the shelters, so please before you spend a small fortune at a pet store check out a shelter or rescue near you.

I agree. A lot of pets from pet stores come from mills.

I have 2 rescue dogs and a shelter cat.

So many parents like to do the animal thing for the holidays, I would definately look at the shelters first, then move on if you can't find what you like, but I also encourage you to spay or neuter your cat or dog.

__________________
"You can never really pay back. You can only pay forward."

Wayne Woodrow “Woody” Hayes

O-H-I-O

Also, depending on your home, considering adopting a special needs or older pet. They have lots of love to give too!!

__________________
Donna

We adopted 2 puppies from a no kill shelter just a couple of months ago. They charged $90 each (now $95) for the puppies/dogs but they're already spayed/neutered and have their first round of shots. They also have cats/kittens and many dogs rather than puppies. Anyway, they're so sweet and they have a special story because of their mother who was at an animal shelter and 1 day away from being put down and they had no idea she was pregannt. They called the no kill shelter asking if they would take her, a woman did foster her and a couple of weeks later she had 7 puppies, 1 died. They would all be dead if it weren't for this shelter, the lady who took in the mother dog until they could find her a home.

When my husband and I had just married, and I was stuck at home all day (Couldn't work in the US yet), he took me to the shelter, and we picked out a terribly skinny, sad looking kitten. She turned out to be the best thing he's ever given me. She's so smart, and clean, and loving; she'll even nip him if he argues with me. When she got lonely, we got a little boy cat for her, who's not quite so bright, but super affectionate and cuddly. The two of them make sure I'm happy, check on me if I'm sick, and just generally make my life better. They're both fixed, because the world doesn't need more unwanted kittens, and childbirth isn't fun for any mammal. If you want a pet, absolutely go to the shelter.

Okay, while we're doing the PSA thing, I'm adding a bit more.

When you go to the shelter, take the ugly kitten, or the older dog, or any animal that's not the cutest and fluffiest. You'll be giving someone a chance at life they probably wouldn't have had otherwise, and you'll probably take home a lovely personality. Too, older animals are often calmer and gentler, and they definitely could use a good home.

This was posted on another board, but I will repeat it here as well. Zootoo.com is having a contest, where the animal shelter with the most points will win a free makeover. You can help by registering at the site and in doing so, your favorite shelter will receive 100 points. I'd love to help our shelter, The Washington Area Humane society, zip 15330, as they are in great need of a makeover. If you have a minute, please take the time to register, and vote for a shelter, if not ours, then your favorite shelter.
(Make sure that you respond to the e-mail that they send to you, so that your points will count). You will be helping to improve the lives of homeless pets!

I am going to advocate this as well. This from someone who has a house full of loving kitties who sure would love to have a family of their own to spend christmas and the rest of their lives with,

All the cats I have have been strays who have been left at my house in hopes of finding a home. I take them in love them, get them medical care and socialize them so that they may go to their forever home.

Some of the cats who have come through have ended up having me as their forever home. The ones that no one seems to want because they are older or have a health issue or "special" in their own way. I tend to love these guys the most and I get the most reward from them. You can see it they truely appreciate everything they get and spend all of their time trying to show you. It is so rewarding.

If you have read my post below about the special thanks you will understand.

Btw update on baby and mama they are doing wonderful Baby Uno as we have been calling it since it was the only one we found is starting to open its little eyes and trying to stand up and walk it is soooo cute. It flails his little legs and scoots wherever he wants to go. even not being able to fully see yet.
Today mama and baby got brushed and combed to make sure all their fleas were gone and mama looked so relaxed like she was in the spa. She got her nails clipped too. I was originally planning to find them homes but the family has pretty much takin a liking to the pair and I have been told they go nowhere which is fine by me I love them already. So in the next few weeks we will have our first dr. appt and then get to meet the rest of the gang..


I will put some baby pictures up as soon as I have time.

my girl was adopted, she was almost dead when she was found from a pack of dogs trying to kill her, she's got huge scars up and down her legs but she's mommas girl and follows me no matter where i go, i fell aslepp in the recliner last night and she stayed with me the whole time thouh normally about 10pm she starts stareing at me telling me it's bedtime hehe

__________________
Books just wanna be FREE! See what I mean at:
http://bookcrossing.com

My other favorites
www.paperbackswap.com
www.wheresgeorge.com
www.geocaching.com

Great post...thanks for reminding people of this before the holiday! Why buy from pet stores when thousands of pets need good homes and are in shelters. Save their life! Spay and neuter! ~Lisa

I got my kitten from the shelter too. I didn't take the ugly one, or the old one, I took the sick one. I knew there was a chance he would die, the lady said they had already lost a lot of kittens (our local shelter cant afford a vet or medications for the animals). They were so impressed by my willingness to take on a dying kitten that they let me have him. So a couple hundred dollars in vet bills (medications and routine shots) and 3 weeks of having to give him water through a dropper later he was fine. And now a year later he is the best cat I have ever had. I wouldn't trade him for anything!

What a great idea to post! One of my cats came from the shelter, the others were picked up by me or my daughters, or they just showed up. We also have 3 dogs, all of which were rescued from starving. Now needless to say, they are all now fat, not dumb, and happy! The older dog is a good idea too. They are so sweet! Keep spreading the word!!

Oh my gosh, what a blessing for that kitty! You can't buy a better gift than a healthy, happy animal that loves you, and you can't give that animal something better than a good life.

GREAT reminder especially now that it is around the holidays....