Baxter, the search and rescue canine
It was February 2006 when Baxter, a loveable and highly intelligent Golden Retriever was discovered by a member of a Search Dog Foundation in California. He was adopted and soon began training. He earned his canine search and rescue certification in 2007, and for years now Baxter and his handler Gary Durian have been traveling across the world to provide relief to those when disaster strikes.
Today, with Japan being under a national state of emergency, canines, firefighters, and paramedics are on their way. Baxter and his canine handler are one of many canine and human teams that arrived this past weekend in Japan to look for survivors buried underneath the rubble and debris as a result of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that ravaged the country last Friday. Officials estimate over 1,000 people may have lost their lives.
While your adopted pooch certainly doesn’t have to be a search and rescue star to be the hero of your life, it is important to remember that shelter and rescue pets have the full potential of pets from breeders, or worse, mills.
The Humane Society of the United States sadly reports that only 19% of dogs were adopted from animal shelters in 2009. According to the ASPCA, 60% of dogs and 70% of cats that enter the shelters are euthanized each year.
These numbers are shocking and staggering, and you and I both know they are more than numbers, they are lives. This Tuesday, March 15, please remember to spread the word about pet adoption instead of purchasing from a pet store or puppy mill.
If you are looking for a purebred pet, the shelter is still a great place to turn, as approximately one quarter of the dogs in shelters are purebreds.
Unsure if your potential adoptee is healthy or suitable? You can always ask a vet or trainer for their help.
Help spread the word and get involved in Petfinder.com’s Adopt-the-Internet Day! Also, don’t forget to check out our Deals page for your chance to win one of our high end our ask a vet services.
Do you have a happy adoption story to tell? Please share and spread the word!
Happy adopting!
One Comment
lol, I adore my pets! They’re always getting into something!