Hurry - Third Annual National Pet Food Drive Ends Sunday

Petco and the Petco Foundation are partnering with Best Friends Animal Society and Hill's Science Diet to host the annual National Pet Food Drive through November 11, 2012.

Donations of dog and cat food are being accepted at every Petco and Unleashed by Petco to help families have a nutritious and happy Thanksgiving with their pets.  Each store is partnering with a local food bank or animal welfare groups to see to it that the donations go directly to the folks who need it most.

Best Friends Animal Society is helping supply the volunteer manpower in the stores to educate the clientele about the mission and help garner donations.

Once again, Hill's Science Diet is committing to match every bag of Hill's Science Diet dog and cat food donated, up to 80,000 pounds.  This year's goal is to get a half-million pounds of pet food donated.  People can donate whatever brand they'd like, but they maximize their donation by making it Hill's Science Diet.

Volunteer for the third annual Pet Food Drive:  http://www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_foundationvolunteer.aspx

To find your local Petco or Unleashed by Petco, go to petco.com:  http://www.petco.com/

Adopt a Dog | Wayside Waifs Adoption Event

October is National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

Celebrate by adding a new furry friend to your family!

Wayside Waifs is holding a half price adoption event throughout the month of October.  All adoption fees include spay or neuter surgery, microchipping, 5 pound bag of Science Diet food and current vaccinations.  In addition, all animals will go home with a special treat bag, courtesy of Brookside Barkery and Bath.

Check out available dogs and cats at Wayside Waifs here.  Wayside Waifs is the largest pet adoption center in Kansas City, placing over 5,000 animals each year in loving forever homes.  Wayside does not euthanize adoptable animals and there are no time limits in their care.

Or use the Petfinder widget below.

Dog Song Saturday: Adopt a Dog Today

It's Saturday, so time to kick off your weekend with a dog song at Talking Dogs.  October is National Adopt a Shelter Dog month and we've found a great song to celebrate!

Adopt a Dog Today is a toe tapping tune with avery important message.  Skip Haynes and Steve Dale wrote this song for the American Humane Society and for use in pet adoption events.  Performed by the Laurel Mountain Animal Company, it's available on their It's All Right if My Dog Sleeps On the Bed All Night With Me cd.   The music video will make you smile as you enjoy photos of shelter dogs, many of which are shown with their new best friends in their furever homes.

Grab a dog.  Sit.  Stay.  Relax and enjoy Adopt a Dog Today.  Fetch more dog song music videos at Talking Dogs.  Explore some barking good dog blogs in today's Pet Blogger Hop.   Then head to your local animal shelter and see what you can do to help some shelter dogs find new, loving homes!

Pit Bull Terrier, Ella, is Looking for Love: Adopt a Dog

 Ella is looking for love and a forever home.  She's waiting for you at the Humane Society of Missouri St Louis animal shelter.

Ella is a 2 year old Pit Bull Terrier.  This beautiful black and white dog has lovely manners and is very affectionate.  Easy going, she loves people and loves going for walks.  She's already spayed and up to date on routine vaccinations.

Take a look at Ella's adoption video below and you'll see what a love she is.  If you have room in your heart and on your couch, give the HSMO a call at 314-647-8800 and ask about Ella.  Her animal ID number is A534961.

Can't adopt right now?  Then please tweet and share Ella.  Let's social network to find this sweet girl her forever home!



If you're looking for a best friend to add to your family, but Ella is not what you had in mind, please take a look at some of Ella's shelter-mates.  

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Adopt a Puppy Mill Survivor: Australian Shepherd Dog

In honor of Puppy Mill Awareness Day, we're featuring a puppy mill survivor who's looking for love and a forever home.

Breezy is a purebred mini Australian Shepherd female dog who is 4 years old.  She weighs about 30 pounds and is reported to be a real sweetheart.  Breezy is a little timid, so she'll need a patient home with a securely fenced yard. 

This beautiful girl is currently with the National Mill Dog Rescue (NMDR) in Colorado.  Adopting a retired mill dog can be a challenging, but very rewarding experience.  If you believe Breezy is the dog for you, please contact NMDR.  

National Mill Dog Rescue was established in February 2007, in honor of a forgiving little Italian Greyhound named Lily.  Theresa Strader, NMDR's Founder and Executive Director, rescued Lily from a dog auction in Missouri.  Prior to that day, Lily had spent the first seven years of her life as a commercial breeding dog, a puppy mill mom.  Determined that her years of living in misery would not be in vain, Strader started NMDR, giving a voice to mill dogs across the country.

The mission of NMDR is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome discarded breeding dogs and to educate the general public about the cruel realities of the commercial dog breeding industry.  To date NMDR has saved 6,792 dogs... and counting.

Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week: Senior Dogs

There's still time to celebrate Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week September 17 - 23 sponsored by Petfinder.

Petfinder surveyed member shelters and rescue groups and found that some pets wait for a home nearly four times longer than the average adoptable pet does.  Survey participants said the ones do they have the hardest time finding homes for:  senior and older pets.

Adopt an Abused Pit Bull Terrier Dog Looking for Love

This beautiful boy stopped me in my tracks and I knew I had to feature him today.  Augusten is a red and white Pit Bull Terrier mixed breed dog currently living at the Humane Society of Missouri animal shelter in St Louis.

Augusten is about 9 months old and already neutered.  As you can see in his video, he's definitely a lover, not a fighter.  He came to the HSMO from a very rough situation and you'll notice that the tips of his ears are gone.  His previous owner cut them off with kitchen shears. 

This rescued pup already seems to be housebroken and has gentle manners on a leash.  Augusten loves to give kisses and sits for treats.  He needs a loving forever home to enjoy his puppy energy and show him how wonderful life can be.

If you have room in your life and heart for a sweet young dog, please give some consideration to Augusten.  For more information you can call  314-951-1562 and ask about animal ID number A532644.
 

Adopt a Big Beautiful Black Dog from Stray Rescue St Louis

Igneous is a 2 year old male terrier mixed breed dog.  In person he's as solid and handsome as the photo to the left.  He has an amazing head that he loves to have rubbed.  And who could ignore that ear-to-ear grin.

Igneous wants to be a lap dog, even though it would take a big lap to hold his 64 pounds.  He loves people and craves human attention.  He would do best as the only dog in the home.  

A playful guy, he like to release some of that energy through exercise.  If you need a physical fitness buddy, someone who is guaranteed to get you off the couch and into the outdoors, Igneous is your dog.

Igneous is currently living at Stray Rescue of St Louis's Pine Street animal shelter:  2320 Pine Street, St Louis, Missouri.  Call them for more information about Igneous at 314-771-6121.   

Founded by Randy Grim, Stray Rescue's sold purpose is to rescue stray animals in need of medical attention, to restore them to health, and then place them in loving adoptive homes.

View the video below to learn more about Randy Grim and Stray Rescue.  As Randy notes, East St Louis is probably second only to Detroit in being very mean streets for homeless dogs.  50% of the animals rescued have been victims of gunshots.

Adopt Shawnee an Irish Setter Dog Looking for Love

Beautiful Shawnee is a seven year old Irish Setter currently in foster care.  He's neutered, up to date with routine shots, and house trained.  Shawnee is overweight and on special food right now, but otherwise a healthy boy looking for a forever home.  He'd really prefer a home without any cats.

If you'd like to adopt Shawnee please visit www.saveoursetters.org and complete the on-line adoption application. Transportation can be arranged to just about any place in the United States.

Save Our Setters, Inc. (S.O.S.), a non-profit organization, is a network of volunteers located across the country dedicated to rescuing and re-homing displaced Irish, Irish Red & White, and Gordon Setters. Their foster families take these dogs into their homes, evaluate them, and get them ready for adoption. They provide a written profile of the dog to share the benefit of our knowledge of the dog with the adopting family, including commands, good and bad characteristics, and other pertinent information.  Visit their website for a complete listing of all the available adoptable pups.

Adopt a Beagle Dog: Layla is Looking for Love

 Layla is looking for a forever home.  She's a spayed female, tricolor Beagle who is about one year old.  Just look at that happy face and wagging tail!  Layla's a beauty!  Right now she's living at the Humane Society of Missouri Chesterfield Valley animal shelter, but she'd much rather have some fun with you and your family.

Call 636-530-0805 for more information about Layla ID# A534752

Adopt Benjamin a Pit Bull Australian Cattle Dog

The staff at the Humane Society of Missouri say Benjamin is a favorite dog of theirs and when you watch his adoption video, you'll see why.  He's adorable. Tail wagging, a grin on his face, and frog legs make him pretty dog-gone cute.

Benjamin is a red and white Australian Cattle Dog and Pit Bull Terrier mixed breed dog.  At about 11 months old, he's still got lots of that puppy energy and ready for some fun.  He's neutered, walks nicely on a leash, and sits for treats.  A big lover, he's crazy about people and not at all happy being confined to his cage at the animal shelter. 

He's a star student at the sit command and you can watch a very cute video of him showing off his skills here  https://picasaweb.google.com/HSMOpets/Benjamin#

In fact, Benjamin has been at the HSMO St Louis City animal shelter since March 2012 and he needs a place to call home very soon.

If you have room in your heart and in your home, make a call to 314-951-1562 and find out more about Benjamin A526612.

Adopt a Dog: Say Yes to The Ears

This beautiful girl has a set of ears hard to resist!  Canada is a female mixed breed dog about 1 1/2 years old.  She's about 40 pounds - a great size!  Right now she's at Stray Rescue of St Louis foster home where they snapped this photo of Canada playing with her Kong.

We agree with Stray Rescue, Canada has a face that just makes you smile.  She's eager to please, loves everyone, and is very free with kisses.  A good car rider and an avid hiker, Canada is ready for a new leash on life in a forever home.

Find out more about Canada, this adorable Pit Bull Terrier mix dog, at Stray Rescue    314-771-6121

Live near St Louis?  Plan to find your perfect new companion at the Stray Rescue Summer of Love Adoptathon on Saturday, June 30!

The 2012 Summer of Love Adoptathon includes:

• Adoption fee reduced to $50 (includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchip)
• Chip-a-thon - Microchip your pet for only $5
• Adopt for a chance to win a rescue ride along with Stray Rescue founder, Randy Grim
• Randy Grimm book signing from 1-2 pm with Quentin the Miracle Dog
• Raffles with great prizes, including a custom built Triumph motorcycle
• 10% off all Stray Rescue merchandise
• Beer tasting with local micro brews
• Food, drinks, music, and vendors
• Pet cooling stations

All well-behaved pet are welcome!

Adopt a Rottweiler Dog!

Just look at this beautiful girl!  Tanya is a black and brown Rottweiler mix.  She's about a year old and is already spayed.  Right now she's call the Humane Society of Missouri St Louis City animal shelter home, but what she really needs is a loving family of her own.

Tanya walks nicely on a leash and loves people.  Still full of that wonderful puppy energy, this dog would make someone a wonderful companion.

If you've got room in your heart and home, please contact the Humane Society of Missouri at 314-951-1562 and ask them about Tanya, animal ID@ A529039

Adopt Popcorn a Terrier Mixed Breed Dog

What's not to love about Popcorn?!  Popcorn is a beautiful black and white terrier mixed breed dog.  She's 2 years old and 57 pounds of love.

Popcorn was surrendered to Stray Rescue of St Louis when her peop0le said they were "done" with her.  As Stray Rescue notes:  Dogs definitely understand rejection.  Now Popcorn needs to know that not all humans are so cruel.  She's finding lots of love and attention in the Stray Rescue Pine Street animal shelter, but what she really needs is her very own forever home.

Since Popcorn was living with a family, she already has good house manners.  If you're thinking about adding a dog to your family, how about giving Popcorn a chance!

For more information about Popcorn, contact Stray Rescue of St Louis at 314-771-6121.  They're located at 2320 Pine Street, St Louis, MO.

Adopt a Pit Bull Dog in Missouri

Wilbur - an adoptable Pit Bull in KCMO

  May 6 - 12 is Be Kind to Animals Week, sponsored by the American Humane Association.  Celebrate by adopting a dog, foster homing a dog, or supporting a rescue organization.

Why not consider adopting a Pit Bull dog from the Missouri Pit Bull Rescue (MPR).

Wilbur, shown above and below, is a neutered male Pit Bull about one year old.  Wilbur was pulled from a shelter in a municipality with a breed ban.  According to MPR, Wilbur is a silly goofball, outgoing and always ready to have some fun.  He'd make a wonderful running or jogging partner.

Though he didn't have much training when he arrived at MPR, he's very smart and a fast learner.  Wilbur appears to be housebroken.

If you have room in your heart and home for an adorable little clown of a dog, consider Wilbur.  For more information about Wilbur, contact the Missouri Pit Bull Rescue at MPR@mprgroup.net




The Missouri Pit Bull Rescue is an all volunteer non-profit group dedicated to rescuing any Pit Bull that needs help.  They regularly pull Pit Bull dogs from "death row"  and sometimes take dogs who are losing their homes due to breed bans.  MPR does not have a shelter and use both boarding and foster care.  They keep the dogs as long as it takes to find each one the perfect home.  Learn more about the Missouri Pit Bull Rescue at www.mprgroup.net

Adopt Tommy a Beagle Mix Puppy

Thinking about adding a furry friend to you family?  Consider Tommy!  This cute pup is a Beagle mix about 7 months old.  Lots of puppy energy awaits you.  He walks nicely on a leash and prefers to relieve himself outside. Tommy is looking for a forever home.  

If you have room in your heart and home, please give this sweet young dog a chance.  Contact the Humane Society of Missouri animal shelter for more information on Tommy.  

Wordless Wednesday: Hailey is Home

Remember Hailey, the big beautiful black Lab mix dog that had spent almost all of her eight years of life at Dogwood Animal Shelter?   Well, Hailey is home.

After I blogged about Hailey and her situation, I was stunned to receive the next newsletter from Dogwood and see that Hailey still was waiting for a forever home.    I immediately sent an SOS email to Neil over at Life With Dogs.  Hailey's story broke his heart, too, as I knew it would.  I gave him permission to rip any info he wanted from my blog and sent him the Dogwood newsletters, too.

I'm thrilled to report that social media really worked for Hailey.  As reported on Life With Dogs, late last week an anonymous man took Hailey home.  He's reported that other than a bit of anxiety at times, she's settling into her new home well.

Dogwood Animal Shelter was overwhelmed with correspondence from around the world and Hailey's new best friend was selected from a list of applicants.

Thanks to all of you who forwarded, StumbledUpon, shared on Facebook, Twitter, and so on!  And I have no doubt that Hailey thanks you, too.

Adopt Piper a Black Lab German Shepherd Mix Dog

I had to chuckle when I first watched this dog video of Piper.  The folks at the Humane Society of Missouri animal shelter - where Piper is living now - wanted to edit out the portion where Piper gets excited.  Personally, I liked it.  

Piper reminds me so much of our late, beloved boy, Tucker, that I hope he finds a forever home asap!  Piper is a black Labrador Retriever / German Shepherd Dog mix who is about 13 months old.  He walks nicely on a leash, prefers to relieve himself while out on those walks, too.  He knows how to sit and takes treats gently.

If you have room in your heart and home for a new furry friend, please consider adopting Piper.  Contact the Humane Society of Missouri for more information about Piper or any number of other dogs waiting for their forever homes.