While it is controversial whether something like this works or it takes away our rights as a pet owner, I am using this as a reminder that there are plenty of unwanted pets in the valley available up for adoption during the holiday season currently! Shelters and foster homes are at their max these days.
Vets and dog parks within the Las Vegas city limits will be required to post notices in regards to the ordinances. I think this will be impossible to enforce. It seems the area is barely enforced anyways (stray intact dogs taken in over and over and time limits, mandatory spaying/neutering not enforced from my personal experience!)
There is a new clinic in town that is receiving accolades and they only do spays and neuters. I am hearing that their cost is under $100 currently. (note: I have no personal experience with them nor is this a paid endorsement)
At any rate, I encourage people who are looking for a pet to give as a gift this holiday season, consider a few things:
(most important) RESEARCH THE BREED!
Interview & Research the Breeder
(there is one IG breeder in town that will not take the puppy back if there are issues even though they state they will - asking for references is very important - if they have been breeding for years a list of 3-5 people is not good, they should have hundreds of references.)
Please do not buy from a pet store -
pet store puppies come from puppy mills (for the most part.) Reputable breeders generally do not sell to pet stores. Reputable breeders usually have a waiting list.
Consider a shelter:
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Lied,
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Heaven Can Wait,
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NSPCA,
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Las Vegas Valley Humane Society,
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or just google "Las Vegas Dog Shelters" to find more!
Consider a Breed Specific Rescue if you want one specific breed, there are a bunch in the Las Vegas Valley:
View Breed Specific Rescues in Las Vegas
View Breed Specific Rescues in Henderson
The Plug for The Breed Specific Rescue I am involved in: Las Vegas Italian Greyhound Club of America Rescue.
There are currently two dogs available and we will be adding another two (as of today). The adoption forms and contact info are located on the information page!
All dogs pictured in this blog post are either up for adoption (like Shakey and Elrod) or have been adopted.
(Trust me, as a breed specific rescue volunteer this is NOT a good idea and we gear up in January/February for "turn ins" to rescue! The cute little puppy with adorable little eyeballs turns into a destructive monster who tinkles and doos in the house.)
Remember: Don't Shop, Adopt:
It may make some dog happy
good info, great pictures and most people should want to do this.
Hi,
We have an IG we rescued from an IG breeder (he had seizures so wasn't stud-worthy anymore). He's a sweet-natured little guy named Skylar.
Terri: It just slays me how people can spend hundreds of dollars (even upwards to and beyond 1000 dollars) for a dog but they cannot neuter it!
Michelle: I love it. Our Sal was a Stud. Now he is just a grumpy old man who likes his space and enjoys his laid back lifestyle!
Sundance's wish for the holidays is that all of the abandoned and unwanted animals find a safe, loving home ... with a liberal policy on giving treats!
Thanks Renee -- I'm glad to hear of the spay/neuter policy (although I'm like you, and dislike government telling me . . .but hey, it's a dog/cat/pet -- not a "personal freedom" . . .) I've adopted SO many animals in my lifetime. Found abandoned rabbits in the park (hmmmm . . . domesticated bunnies bought on EASTER don't do well in the park! GEEZ) and a tortise, plus dogs and cats. I bought one purebred, and then adopted a mutt -- it all balances out. The breeder DID have a waiting list! GOOD POINT! Again, thanks!!
John: Beautiful story about Sundance <3
Carla: There is one in North Las Vegas and Clark County is considering it. I do feel that 4 months is too young for spaying/neutering some breeds. My Vitto couldn't get clearance for a neuter until he was 9 months old. Even then, he got VERY VERY sick and lost a pound (he couldn't afford that when he was that young) and we almost lost him!
Maverick looks like a dog from a horror movie :-O
Great reminder during the holiday season - and hey, why pay and arm and a leg for some inbred from a mall when you can save a life and get an amazing friend.
Hi Renee..This is a very important post, Well Done :O))
I'll re-blog and try to get the word out too.
I just finished watching the movie "A Dog Named Christmas" about adopting dogs--a real tear jerker. Anyway, this is a great time to get a dog. They really love unconditionally.
Hi Renee! Well, I quickly got past the MUST spay/neuter while looking at your wonderful photos! OH, some days I wish I had followed my childhood dream and become a vet--I just LOVE poochies!
Have a wonderful week...
Steve: awwwwwwwww Mav is so sweet! Him and Bob were adopted around the same time and they are fence chasing pals!! You are very correct about inbred, what an understatement. Nothing like working with a breed specific rescue to make sure the pet matches your home and your home matches your pet!
Fred: I so thank you for the reblog!
Rich: LOL, I LOVE FOXY's NAME and her endorsement means a lot too!
Tammie: I will have to check that out, thanks for the heads up!
Debe: That's what my daughter (senior in high school) has her sights set on - Vet!
Renee - Like you said it is funny how they can spend 1,000 on a dog but can't afford to get it "fixed". Those are some pretty dogs! I sure miss mine. Had to put her down at only 6 years of age because of severe allergies. It was terrible. : (
Great information and a wonderful and thoughtful post. Thank you so much! That second to last picture, the white dog, is that yours? I've never seen that breed, it's gorgeous! Any idea what kind of dog that is?
Renee - I am a firm believer in adopting pets. Three years ago we adopted our Pug Ace andnine years ago my mom rescued a basset/beagle mix from the side of the expressway who now lives with me as well.
I personally don't want a puppy, but for people who do there are a ton of rescue groups that have puppies/kittens.
Renee
I think animals need all the help they can get. I do think Lars would get mad at me if they eunicked him seeing he is intact. My last shepherd did not talk to me or come by me for 2 weeks. All things aside; there are way to many animals roaming and reproducing. It's time for many to take responsibility for them.
I think in general you should spay and neuter, however, I do not think it should be a law. If people have dogs and want to breed them I do not think they should have to go through government hoops. Understand I think animals should be treated well, but government tends to make things worse.
To me it's sad that they used these two to breed and made thousands off of them then when they were older they were tossed into a shelter as though they were nothing. However I don't particularly like mandatory spaying and neutering because some people are responsible and to force them to spay or neuter when those responsible may want their pet to live on it unfairly punishes them.
I believe in responsible pet ownership and doing one's doggy civic duty (i.e. clean up after one's pets) :-)
I still haven't decided whether or not I'm in favor of these types of ordinances.
We're fortunate here that many reputable breeders to place their pets on consignment with many of the pet stores. Additionally, many of the local animal shelters will also place pets with pet stores, rotating the pets between pet stores and animal shelters. It seems to be a very good and workable system.
I've always gotten my pets from animal shelters, unless they were strays that adopted me.
Hi Renee:
Great information!
I'm thinking that the Mandatory law is going to be tough to enforce!
One thing our town does to encourage spay/neutering, when licensing a dog here, there is an additional charge for an un-neutered pet.