Animal Rescue Group Contacts Obama Family About Potential First Dogs

Don't panic. The first family is fine--probably just trying to collect themselves and settle into some sort of routine after their whirlwind inaugural week.

It's the canine member of the Obama family that's missing--the "inaugural dog" that animal lovers from around the country are desperate to meet. President Obama has stated repeatedly that the first family would like to adopt a rescue dog, but has also voiced concerns about the feasibility of finding a hypoallergenic dog from a shelter. The Obamas' youngest daughter Malia is allergic to most kinds of dogs, and as then President Elect Obama stated in December "most shelter dogs are mutts--like me." Mixed dogs like most of those in shelters are rarely hypoallergenic.

Shortly after the November 4th election, Best Friends Animal Society has contacted the Obama family to offer them assistance in finding a shelter dog that meets Malia's needs. Now, Best Friends reports that they have contacted the White House regarding two specific puppies that just might fit the Obamas family's bill.

Stella and Susie are 4-month-old Goldendoodle puppies that were rescued from a puppy mill and are now living at a foster home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Goldendoodles, a mix of standard poodle and golden retriever, are a hypoallergenic breed. Best Friends believes that either of the puppies would be a safe match for Malia.

The two sisters were rescued from a puppy mill and suffered from a variety of infections including pneumonia when they were taken in by the National Mill Dog Rescue. Representatives from the group state that the puppies are now in perfect health and ready for a loving home, and a national spotlight.

a href=

"http://network.bestfriends.org/obamafamilydog/news/31697.html">See Stella and Susie Here!

Best Friends stated this week that they have contacted they have not yet received a response from the first family or their representativs regarding

their interest in Stella and Susie. Animal rescue workers around the country are waiting with bated breath to find out whether or not the Obamas will take in a rescue dog. Having a shelter dog in the White House would likely bring a significant amount of press to the issue of animal shelter overpopulation, and could go a long way in changing the way people think about shelter dogs.

WHY RESCUE?

I currently volunteer for two animal rescue organizations in the Los Angeles area. Despite my best effors to publicize and promote the amazing shelter dogs I work with throughout my community, I am constantly hearing people I know tell me that they have decided to buy a dog from a pet store or breeder.

In exploring why so many people decide to purchase their dogs instead of adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue group, I've heard a variety of reasons. Some people state that they want a specific breed that they can only find in a pet store. Others state that they're afraid that a shelter dog will be sickly, poorly behaved, or aggressive because of its traumatic experiences.

The preponderence of myths regarding shelter dogs and animal rescue groups contribute to the millions of animals that are euthanized in America each year becaues of shelter overpopulation and the lack of people willing to adopt.

SHELTER DOG MYTHS

MYTH 1: "Shelter Dogs are Usually Sick and Abused"

The truth is that dogs who come from puppy mills and pet stores are much more likely to be physically sick than a shelter dog, and much more likely to experience abuse or neglect. Puppy mill dogs are often kept in filthy, cramped cages which puts them at high risk for infectious diseases. Dogs from pets stores may be the offspring of animals who have been overbred, which also makes them susceptible to health problems.

The Biden family recently purchased a German Shepherd puppy from what they believed to be a reputable breeder in December, but was later reported by various media sources to have a history of violations for unsanitary conditions, overcrowding and failure to vaccinate the dogs in a timely manner.

Despite the widely held notion that shelter dogs come from abusive, unhealthy backgroungs, it's often purebred animals that are raised in these traumatizing conditions.

MYTH 2: "I Can't Get the Kind of Dog I Want From a Shelter"

Best Friends is doing their best to prove this point wrong in a big way with their promotion of goldendoodles Stella and Susie. The truth is that there is a rescue group out there for almost every kind of dog that you can imagine-purebred dogs included. The easiest way to find the specific breed your looking for in a shleter is to visit www.petfinder.com, a national database of animals in rescue groups and shelters around the country. If you're unable to find the animal that you want on Petfinder, or if they are at a rescue group too far away from where you live, simply Google the specific breed that you're looking for with the word "Rescue" and you should find a comprehensive list of breed rescues around the country. Example: "shih tzu rescue, English bulldog rescue".

MYTH 3: "Rescue Groups Charge Too Much and Are Just Trying to Make a Profit"

Several people that have contacted me encouraged to adopt a dog from a rescue group or shelter have become angry when they learned that dogs at my rescue groups aren't being given away for free. While the city pound where I live charges $91 to adopt a dog, private rescue groups in the area typically charge somewhere between $150-$500.

"Where do they get off charging $500 for a dog no one wants anyway?" an acquaintance of mine recently asked.

Here's where: Rescue organizations will often spends THOUSANDS of dollars in the course of saving a single dog. Dogs like Stella and Susie require extensive medical care to treat the injuries they sustained in puppy mills. They also need to cover the cost of the dogs spay/neuter, vaccinations, and in some cases microchipping. Then add-on food, flea medicine, grooming, and maybe a chew toy or two, and you've gone well beyond whatever they're asking for adoption. Most rescue groups feel that they have to ask for some sort of donation to attempt to cover some of their losses, as well to make sure that potential adopters actually have the financial means to care for a dog.

Consider, as well, that when you're making a "donation" to a shelter, the money goes directly to an orgnazation that will work to save more aninamls. Both rescue organizations that I volunteer with are registered 501c3 organizations, which means that all adoption fees that are paid for the animal are 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!!

MYTH 4: "Shelter Dogs are Poorly Behaved"

In my personal experience, shelter dogs typically have very good behavior, are extremely attentive to human direction and extremely eager to please.

It's true that there are some dogs in shelters that have been mistreated and poorly socialized. These are not the right dogs for your typical pet owner and are probably best suited to hardcore animal lovers willing to invest a lot of extra effort.

But you don't have to be the Dog Whisperer to have a great relationship with a shelter dog. If you visit your local shelter, you'll probably find that many of the dogs there are gentle, affectionate and eager to be the perfect addition to your family. Dogs that have known the hardship of a shelter know a good home when they see it, and can behave as well as any other dog once they take a little time to settle in.

ARE SHELTER DOGS THE NEXT BIG CRAZE?

With the excitement and energy surrounding the atmosphere of change in our nation this week, animal rescue workers are hoping that the infectious spirit of community service and community action will help to alter the image of rescue dogs in America forever. Whatever dog the Obamas choose will likely become a popular trend for potential animal adopters.

Sources:

Best Friends:

http://network.bestfriends.org/obamafamilydog/news/31697.html

The Examiner:

http://www.examiner.com/x-1028-Pet-News-Examiner~topic47393-breeder

The Humane Society of the United States:

http://stoppuppymills.org/inside_a_puppy_mill.html

National Mill Dog Rescue:

http://www.milldogrescue.org/

http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/pet_overpopulation_and_ownership_statistics/the_crisis_of_pet_overpopulation.html