Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Animal advocates urge people to adopt pets this holiday season
Many people looking to buy a puppy around the holidays opt for pet stores, but a number of leading animal advocacy groups are urging them to adopt instead. Organizations such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) say many of the dogs at pet stores come from so-called puppy mills, The Asheville Citizen-Times reports.
The movement appears to be picking up steam. More than 50,000 people have signed on to boycott shopping at pet stores. At a more local level, many similar advocates are stressing the importance of turning to rescue shelters and other similar groups.
"When you adopt from a local rescue group, in many cases you are actually saving the life of a cat or dog - or rabbit - that might otherwise be euthanized," Kelly Stoner of the Animal Compassion Network told the newspaper.
Sometimes animals don't get rescued because they are labeled as "unadoptable", and the Best Friends Animal Society was started as a way to find those pets a home. Frendo supports the organization through fee-free donations. Sign up now.
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