Help Protect Animals In Our Community

We all want to help protect animals in our community but sometimes it can be overwhelming trying to figure out how. Here are three easy ways you can help.

1. Concerns arose recently when Pik-A-Pup Kennel in Holliston and Laughlin Kennels in Oxford were found to have bought dogs from Iowan breeder J. Maassen Inc., who the Humane Society included on its list of the 100 worst puppy mill breeders in the country.

Senator Spilka filed the Act to Protect Puppies and Kittens to require breeders to follow stronger regulations and to ensure pet stores don't work with breeders who have violated animal welfare regulations. The bill passed in the Senate and needs your support in the House.

How you can help: Email or call you House Representative today and ask them to support the bill.

2. The greyhound adoption group Greyhound Friends in Hopkinton was found to be neglecting sick and injured dogs, according to a disturbing report by the Mass Department of Agricultural Resources. The state temporarily closed the kennel in January 2017 after inspectors found unsafe and unsanitary conditions on multiple occasions. Months afterwards the kennel license was revoked, the kennel allegedly adopted out a sick dog to a family. A reporter also uncovered records showing that Greyhound Friends has had decades of animal welfare violations including several cease & desist orders. Despite this, the organization is seeking to get its license back.

How you can help: Sign the petition to say no to these repeat offenders.

3. Many people are keen to support animal rescue but are interested in a dog of a particular breed and worry they won't be able to find this at a shelter. Today, you can adopt dogs of virtually any breed as well as many puppies through animal rescues. Sites like Petfinder allow you to search for dogs to adopt by their breed, age, size, location, and other criteria. You can even search for dogs and cats based on their compatibility with children and other animals. There are also many animal shelters, such as Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue in Hudson, MA; Greyhound Rescue of New England in Mendon, MA; and Great Dane Rescue of New England in Cranston, RI, and that specialize in a particular breed.

If you prefer to obtain your new dog from a breeder, here are some tips on ensuring that you are doing so responsibly and are not supporting a puppy mill.

How you can help: Adopt your next dog! Or if you choose to get a dog from a breeder, do your research ahead of time to ensure the dogs are raised in a safe manner.