HOW YOU CAN HELP   

On April 4th, the Oprah show aired a heartbreaking episode that told the story of why all of us in rescue work so hard and do what we do.

Bill Smith of Main Line Animal Rescue (right here in our area) took out a billboard in Chicago that got Oprah's attention. As a result, Lisa Ling and Bill visited pet stores to track the history of dogs in the store to puppy mills right in nearby Lancaster County. The conditions at each of the puppy mills was heartbreaking and difficult to watch.

The show then went on to document what goes on every single day at public shelters across our country by taping operations at the public shelter in Fort Worth, TX. Dozens of healthy, adoptable dogs were put down simply due to lack of space and people willing to adopt them. It's a sad truth, but one that's a reality right here in our area and across the country.

If you have not seen the Oprah show, please visit www.oprah.com to learn more. A big, huge heartfelt thank you goes out to Bill Smith of MLAR for getting Oprah's attention on the subject, and thank you to Fort Worth, TX for showing the grim reality of what our public shelters have to face every day.

If you're asking what you can do to make a difference, you can do the following:

1) Please do not buy a puppy at a pet store. Up to 99% of dogs in pet stores come from puppy mills. If you must go to a breeder, please use a reputable breeder that screens you as an adopter and allows you to see the breeding mother's housing and socialization conditions. Get a professional training consultation in your home to train you on how to train your dog. Be ready to make a 15-year commitment to your pet.

2) Adopt a pet from a rescue or shelter, you're truly saving a life

3) Donate to a locally-based organization near you. Rescues and shelters often run solely on private donations. If you don't feel comfortable donating cash, you can donate goods such as food, litter, toys, etc. We have a "wish list" posted on our website here at ARF and most rescues and shelters have the same

4) Volunteer your time! We always need great volunteers in all capacities of what we do. Foster a pet, work at an adoption center, host a fundraiser, stuff envelopes... volunteers are the engine that run rescue and we need you to make it happen.

Please visit our volunteer link to learn more, or contact a rescue or shelter near you. Make a difference in a pet's life. Think rescue first!

Jen Coccodrilli
Executive Director
Animal Rescue Foundation of SE PA, Inc.