Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region
The mission of the Humane Society is to “prevent animal cruelty and neglect, and promote a responsible community where animals are inherently valued and owners are committed to their pets.” The adoption process is easy. Once you have made the decision to adopt, you can choose a pet by visiting the shelter or looking online. Adoption fees cover sterilization, vaccinations, a microchip, a free health exam, deworming, a one-year license for dogs and pet information. As an added bonus, if you choose to adopt a pet during the month of October from the Humane Society, you’ll receive a dog toy from the Republic of Paws. Adoptions are seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Where: 610 Abbott Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80905

Colorado Springs All Breed Rescue, Inc.
This no-kill rescue organization’s purpose is to educate the community in the areas of dog behavior, breed-specific legislation, dog bite prevention, animal care and spay/neuter education. The mission is “to foster and place adoptable companion dogs into permanent homes.” They also hope to increase adoptions of shelter dogs by promoting awareness of and cooperation with area shelter. If you’re not ready to adopt a pet, consider becoming a foster parent. As a foster parent, you would foster homeless dogs until a permanent adoption is arranged.
Where: 20 Mount View Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Dreampower Animal Rescue
A strong volunteer foster network is the main reason for the success of Dreampower Animal Rescue. Adoptions from Dreampower take place at an individual home or at an adoption fair. Each animal is cared for by the volunteer staff at Dreampower, as well as the volunteer veterinarians. The vets take time to provide medical assistance for the animals. If you’re interested in adopting a pet from Dreamweaver, view their website or visit one of their upcoming adoption fairs. If you’re not ready to adopt a pet, consider volunteering as a foster parent for one of these animals. Another option is to donate supplies such as collars, leashes, dog beds, bowls, etc.
Where: http://www.dreampower.org

One of its pages is aptly called “Play to Save Dogs”, and it allows us to play a fun trivia game on its website (ExperienceProject.com), and in doing so, we would actually be helping to raise real money for the Humane Society of the United States for shelter dogs as well as fight to end cruel puppy mills.  The website encourages its visitors to keep playing because for every correct answer, the website makes a donation to HSUS.

They pose questions from every possible field, for instance, if you’re into Movies or TV, you can opt for this category (like me for example, that’s right – me, the TV addict!!).  And for the avid sports enthusiast, you know which category to select.

Being a dog lover, I wish this very “creative” idea would spread its tentacles globally.

It’s always so heartbreaking to read about the plight of shelter dogs (and cats, for that matter).  If this so very clever and “creative” (not to mention “entertaining”) method of raising money for these poor abandoned animals is adopted by every country in the world, it would solve the problem of the difficulties faced by most animal shelters worldwide.

But most importantly, it would make ME very HAPPY!!

http://www.experienceproject.com/savepets/

You go into your local pet store and see the cuddly little puppies, so cute you just can’t resist taking one home, but I wonder if people give any thought to the conditions which produce these adorable creatures. Pet store puppies come from puppy mills, regardless of what the owners will tell you. These designer puppies, selling for $1,000 or more, are born in the most deplorable of conditions.

Puppy mills are a serious problem in this country, and one our law makers are having great difficulty combating. We, as consumers, can help in this battle. DO NOT BUY PUPPIES FROM PET STORES, AND DO NOT GIVE YOUR BUSINESS TO PET STORES THAT SELL PUPPIES. Puppy mill dogs live in wire cages that are stacked one upon the other. These dogs are half crazed, never taken out, cages are never cleaned, hair is matted, disease is rampant and no thought is given to insuring congenital defects are not passed along.

The Humane Society of the United States offers information and tips at the Web site: Stop Puppy Mills You can also view heart breaking videos of these disgraceful puppy mills. A number of the large pet store chains do not sell dogs and cats for this reason. Instead they support the growing number of pet rescue organizations by allowing them room to show their dogs for adoption. The next time you are in the market for a puppy, please consider adoption. A good resource is www.petfinder.org. Or visit your local Humane Society or animal shelter.

If you want a pure bred dog complete with AKC papers, find a reputable breeder. A reputable breeder will never sell puppies to pet stores, will not ship puppies, will allow you to inspect their kennels, and typically will offer a limited number of breeds. They will ask that you return the dog to them at any time in the future if you find you cannot take care of the animal or no longer want it. But beware, all registrations are not the same. Some registrations can be bought online, and one uses the same initials as the Canadian Kennel Club. We, as consumers and pet lovers, have the ability to put these people out of business. It’s simple. Change your buying habits and consider pet adoption. Almost 4.5 million unwanted dogs are euthanized annually in the United States alone. This is a truly inexcusable statistic.