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Here are some simple ways you CAN make a BIG difference:

1) FOSTER SHORT TERM

This can be as simple as taking in a dog or cat for a few hours, or for a few weeks. YOU decide which animals and when it's convenient for you to do it. REALLY. Just let us know if you want to be contacted and we won't pressure you. But every little bit helps! We often have to act FAST to save a life. The more contacts we have the better chance that ONE will work out this time.
People ask me why I don't just adopt my fosters. My answer is that it is more important for me to be a foster home so that I can help many pets. I can take in a stray - thus saving its life; give it a warm home environment, and teach it to be a better pet for its new adoptive family. Then I can do the same again for another pet.

2) FOSTER A LITTER
We often hear of pregnant dogs & cats which are about to be put down JUST because they are pregnant! We also get in dumped litters. If you have ever wanted to raise a litter this is a wonderful opportunity and a great way to help! You can make a real difference while having fun! The first weeks of life are SO important to the personality of pets.

3) ANSWER PHONE CALLS
We place ads in the papers each week. We can always use help answering the calls that come in. Some people just want the number of the contact, while others need advice on picking the right pet, etc. This is a great community service.

4) SPREAD THE WORD - tell others about the work we do. Make sure everyone you know has their animal spayed/neutered.

5) Visit local shelters and report on what you see. We can always use help with this one. Critterconnection needs volunteers to photograph animals.

6) Visit shelters and advise people who are looking at the pets. We often help pets get adopted just by being there to answer questions. Many people want to adopt a pet from a shelter in order to save it's life, but aren't knowledgeable about various breeds. How big does it get? Is it good with kids? Is it a high energy dog? Help them make a better choice. If what they want isn't there, direct them to another shelter.

7) OFFER your unique talents.
If you are knowledgeable in puppy rearing, obedience training, temperament testing, etc. or if you are a Vet, groomer, etc. we can use your help. ALWAYS on your terms.

MOST IMPORTANTLY -----

Be a Responsible Pet owner:

A) Think before taking in/buying a new pet.

What is the best pet for you? Don't pick a dog just because you think it is beautiful. Check out the needs of that breed. I'm tired of seeing dogs advertised as needing new homes because it "needs room to run". Talk to other people who have similar dogs, find out their faults as well as their virtues. Are you willing & able to work with the dog to teach it how to be a good pet. Can you afford the pet? Not just purchasing, but maintenance costs of food, supplies, vet bills and possible damages done by it? How much time can you devote to this pet?
Ask a friend or neighbor if you can borrow their dog for a few days to see how you like it. If your child is pestering for a dog - have him walk a neighbor's dog, pick up the poop, etc. Give him a sense of what he's in for.

B)
Adopt from a shelter or rescue and encourage others to do the same. Most of these animals are homeless due to HUMAN ERROR. It's not their fault.
Want a purebred puppy? Whatever you do, DON'T buy from a pet store, puppy mill or backyard breeder! Not only are you encouraging this horrible practice, you are taking your chances on getting an inferior quality or even unhealthy puppy. Make sure the "breeder" is someone who knows what they're doing. Reputable breeders show their dogs & or work them. They strive to carefully match 2 dogs in order to create superior puppies. THEY DO NOT MAKE MONEY on their puppies. They spend so much money getting it right that they loose money! THEY can tell you if a pup is pet quality or possible show or work quality.
Be a wise shopper - Ask questions to see how knowlegeable a breeder is. If they don't dazzle you, go elsewhere - or at least get them to drop the price on the puppy significantly! That way you are showing them how unqualified they are and discouraging them from breeding again! What are they going to do with all those large breed puppies if no one buys them? When they are 4-5 months old they'll be lucky to give them away! (or they'll dump them at a shelter)
Remember that "AKC registered" does NOT guarantee a quality puppy. PUREBRED means that if you mate two dogs of the same breed, you will get consistancy in offspring. Well, if you buy from a pet store, puppy mill or backyard breeder you may be taking your chances as if it were a mixed breed. The more popular the breed, the more backyard breeders there are to screw up the bloodlines. Either they don't care, or they are trying to make big dogs bigger, small dogs smaller! I've seen Pomeranians that would be labeled Pom mixes, but they have AKC papers! I wonder how many people know what a show quality Labrador looks like anymore?

C) Have your own pets spayed/neutered.

This IS a big deal. PLEASE Don’t believe old myths - learn the facts. SPAY & NEUTER YOUNG. DON'T PUT IT OFF -- Cats can go into heat as early as 6 months old. Dogs at 9 months or even younger. Vets are seeing the benefits of spaying as early as 8 weeks old. Read more about it on my STOPP Animal Clinic page.
DO NOT be a "Backyard Breeder". There are too many dogs & cats out there and not enough homes. Some 10,000 puppies die each year without ever being bought/adopted! Any pets you bring into this world will at leasttake away a home from some other pet already born.(meaning they will have to be euthanized.) Or your babies may be the ones euthanized. You may be able to sell them, but the odds are that at least half of them will wind up in shelters before they are 2 years old! Are you willing to take them back? A reputable breeder INSISTS on getting them back. If you are thinking about breeding your pet, visit a local shelter first. You'll see what I mean.
If you want the experience of having puppies to raise - PLEASE foster!! Your dog can be a "mommy" to these pups. It's healthier for her. Studies show that the "mother" dog has the most influence on the personality of the puppies. So if you want puppies to act like her - let her foster some! Be part of the solution - it's very rewarding work!

D) Train & Socialize your dogs.
Training is very important for you and the dog. It will make him a better pet and happier too. You will be happier with your dog when he behaves and minds you. It is also a wonderful opportunity to bond with your dog.
Obedience school helps with training and socializing. He is exposed to other dogs which makes him dogfriendly. Dogs that are well socialized don't fight with other dogs. MORE importantly, dogs that are well socialized with people are far less likely to ever hurt a person. Dogs are by nature protective of the people they love, and their territory.
It is NOT necessary or wise to teach a dog or allow a dog to be aggressive. That, and abuse, lead to dangerous dogs which attack people. (Police dogs & Schutzhund dogs are professionally trained, but even the best trained dog is not 100% reliable. In today's litigious society the liablility of owning a "dangerous dog" far outways the value of having one IMHO.)
Don’t just leave your dog in the back yard, make it part of the family. Untrained dogs become bored and distructive. Over 95% of dogs in shelters have received no obedience training. Coincidence?

E) Don't allow your pets to roam.
Keep all of your pets in your house or yard. They aren't safe on the streets and they can get into trouble (especially if they aren't neutered!) Cats that roam not only annoy neighbors, but live shorter lives. Besides the obvious dangers they can catch deadly diseases like Feluk & FIV.

F) Just in case they DO get out:
Make sure your pets are up to date on shots, and have collars with tags on at all times. Many pets are lost forever because they didn't have tags! Microchipping and tattoing are also a great idea. It only costs about $25-30, and it's worth the peace of mind!
Did you know -- owners have only 5 days to claim their pet from a shelter before it is either put up for adoption or euthanized.

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This site has been visitedtimes since January 17, 2001

1)	FOSTER SHORT TERM
	This can be as simple as taking in a dog or cat for a few hours, or for a few weeks. YOU decide which animals and when it's convenient for you to do it. REALLY. Just let us know if you want to be contacted and we won't pressure you. But every little bit helps! We often have to act FAST to save a life. The more contacts we have the better chance that ONE will work out this time. People ask me why I don't just adopt my fosters. My answer is that it is more important for me to be a foster home so that I can help many pets. I can take in a stray - thus saving its life; give it a warm home environment, and teach it to be a better pet for its new adoptive family. Then I can do the same again for another pet.
2)	FOSTER A LITTER We often hear of pregnant dogs & cats which are about to be put down JUST because they are pregnant! We also get in dumped litters. If you have ever wanted to raise a litter this is a wonderful opportunity and a great way to help! You can make a real difference while having fun! The first weeks of life are SO important to the personality of pets.
3)	ANSWER PHONE CALLS We place ads in the papers each week. We can always use help answering the calls that come in. Some people just want the number of the contact, while others need advice on picking the right pet, etc. This is a great community service.
4)	SPREAD THE WORD - tell others about the work we do. Make sure everyone you know has their animal spayed/neutered.
5)	Visit local shelters and report on what you see. We can always use help with this one. Critterconnection needs volunteers to photograph animals.
6)	Visit shelters and advise people who are looking at the pets. We often help pets get adopted just by being there to answer questions. Many people want to adopt a pet from a shelter in order to save it's life, but aren't knowledgeable about various breeds. How big does it get? Is it good with kids? Is it a high energy dog? Help them make a better choice. If what they want isn't there, direct them to another shelter.
7)	OFFER your unique talents. If you are knowledgeable in puppy rearing, obedience training, temperament testing, etc. or if you are a Vet, groomer, etc. we can use your help. ALWAYS on your terms.

A)	Think before taking in/buying a new pet.
	What is the best pet for you? Don't pick a dog just because you think it is beautiful. Check out the needs of that breed. I'm tired of seeing dogs advertised as needing new homes because it "needs room to run". Talk to other people who have similar dogs, find out their faults as well as their virtues. Are you willing & able to work with the dog to teach it how to be a good pet. Can you afford the pet? Not just purchasing, but maintenance costs of food, supplies, vet bills and possible damages done by it? How much time can you devote to this pet? Ask a friend or neighbor if you can borrow their dog for a few days to see how you like it. If your child is pestering for a dog - have him walk a neighbor's dog, pick up the poop, etc. Give him a sense of what he's in for.
B)	Adopt from a shelter or rescue and encourage others to do the same. Most of these animals are homeless due to HUMAN ERROR. It's not their fault. Want a purebred puppy? Whatever you do, DON'T buy from a pet store, puppy mill or backyard breeder! Not only are you encouraging this horrible practice, you are taking your chances on getting an inferior quality or even unhealthy puppy. Make sure the "breeder" is someone who knows what they're doing. Reputable breeders show their dogs & or work them. They strive to carefully match 2 dogs in order to create superior puppies. THEY DO NOT MAKE MONEY on their puppies. They spend so much money getting it right that they loose money! THEY can tell you if a pup is pet quality or possible show or work quality. Be a wise shopper - Ask questions to see how knowlegeable a breeder is. If they don't dazzle you, go elsewhere - or at least get them to drop the price on the puppy significantly! That way you are showing them how unqualified they are and discouraging them from breeding again! What are they going to do with all those large breed puppies if no one buys them? When they are 4-5 months old they'll be lucky to give them away! (or they'll dump them at a shelter) Remember that "AKC registered" does NOT guarantee a quality puppy. PUREBRED means that if you mate two dogs of the same breed, you will get consistancy in offspring. Well, if you buy from a pet store, puppy mill or backyard breeder you may be taking your chances as if it were a mixed breed. The more popular the breed, the more backyard breeders there are to screw up the bloodlines. Either they don't care, or they are trying to make big dogs bigger, small dogs smaller! I've seen Pomeranians that would be labeled Pom mixes, but they have AKC papers! I wonder how many people know what a show quality Labrador looks like anymore?
C)	Have your own pets spayed/neutered.
	This IS a big deal. PLEASE Don’t believe old myths - learn the facts. SPAY & NEUTER YOUNG. DON'T PUT IT OFF -- Cats can go into heat as early as 6 months old. Dogs at 9 months or even younger. Vets are seeing the benefits of spaying as early as 8 weeks old. Read more about it on my STOPP Animal Clinic page. DO NOT be a "Backyard Breeder". There are too many dogs & cats out there and not enough homes. Some 10,000 puppies die each year without ever being bought/adopted! Any pets you bring into this world will `at least`take away a home from some other pet already born.(meaning they will have to be euthanized.) Or your babies may be the ones euthanized. You may be able to sell them, but the odds are that at least half of them will wind up in shelters before they are 2 years old! Are you willing to take them back? A reputable breeder INSISTS on getting them back. If you are thinking about breeding your pet, visit a local shelter first. You'll see what I mean. If you want the experience of having puppies to raise - PLEASE foster!! Your dog can be a "mommy" to these pups. It's healthier for her. Studies show that the "mother" dog has the most influence on the personality of the puppies. So if you want puppies to act like her - let her foster some! Be part of the solution - it's very rewarding work!
D)	Train & Socialize your dogs. Training is very important for you and the dog. It will make him a better pet and happier too. You will be happier with your dog when he behaves and minds you. It is also a wonderful opportunity to bond with your dog. Obedience school helps with training and socializing. He is exposed to other dogs which makes him dogfriendly. Dogs that are well socialized don't fight with other dogs. MORE importantly, dogs that are well socialized with people are far less likely to ever hurt a person. Dogs are by nature protective of the people they love, and their territory. It is NOT necessary or wise to teach a dog or allow a dog to be aggressive. That, and abuse, lead to dangerous dogs which attack people. (Police dogs & Schutzhund dogs are professionally trained, but even the best trained dog is not 100% reliable. In today's litigious society the liablility of owning a "dangerous dog" far outways the value of having one IMHO.) Don’t just leave your dog in the back yard, make it part of the family. Untrained dogs become bored and distructive. Over 95% of dogs in shelters have received no obedience training. Coincidence?
E)	Don't allow your pets to roam. Keep all of your pets in your house or yard. They aren't safe on the streets and they can get into trouble (especially if they aren't neutered!) Cats that roam not only annoy neighbors, but live shorter lives. Besides the obvious dangers they can catch deadly diseases like Feluk & FIV.
F)	Just in case they DO get out: Make sure your pets are up to date on shots, and have collars with tags on at all times. Many pets are lost forever because they didn't have tags! Microchipping and tattoing are also a great idea. It only costs about $25-30, and it's worth the peace of mind! Did you know -- owners have only 5 days to claim their pet from a shelter before it is either put up for adoption or euthanized.