Formerly known as "America's Dog", Pit Bull Terriers have become the victims of a disturbing anti-pit bull media campaign. Despite their ridicule, Pit Bull Terriers remain within the top ten most popular dog breeds. We see hundreds of Pit Bull mixes every year and their playfulness and loving personalities make them great companions. 

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People who have come to grow deep respect for the breed and employ responsible pet ownership practices have taken their case to government officials to end the war on the Pit Bull. You, too, can speak for the voiceless by following professional advocacy steps.

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) involves trapping outdoor cats, having them spayed or neutered, ear-tipped, and returned to their outdoor environment. TNR is the only effective method that can stabilize outdoor cat populations, also known as cat colonies or community cats.

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An ear-tip is a universally recognized symbol for outdoor cats who have been spayed or neutered. The cat's left ear has the tip (3/8 inch) removed to signify they have been fixed. This procedure causes no harm to the animal when performed by a veterinarian.

Puppy mills are large-scale breeding operations that put profit above the welfare of animals. Dogs at puppy mills are housed in shockingly poor conditions and are often sick and behaviorally troubled as a result. The parents of these puppies are kept in small cages and bred over and over for years, without human companionship. 

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According to Best Friends, the U.S. still has about 10,000 puppy mills and our work as a community is not over! While adoption is the best option, if you choose to buy always do your research and never purchase blindly — many people support puppy mills everyday by believing pretty pictures online or purchasing from pet stores or parking lots. So spread the knowledge and let's put an end to this suffering!

Spaying and neutering just one animal can save the lives of many. In addition to responsibly controlling pet overpopulation, spay/neuter leads to numerous health benefits for your pet such as reducing the risk of cancers and aggression, as well as increasing overall lifespan.

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Our Health Clinic performs nearly 2,000 spay/neuter surgeries per year for our community members. Click here to view clinic pricing.

Declawing is a devastating cosmetic procedure which involves surgical amputation of the first toe joints. This results in pain, as well as severe medical complications, and can lead to arthritis affecting a cat's ability to move and perform other basic behaviors, such as using a litter box. ​

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When provided with appropriate scratching surfaces, cats should not be inclined to scratch other materials, such as furniture. We strongly urge cat owners to research alternatives such as gel caps, before resorting to a traumatic surgery. Check out The Paw Project for an in depth look at declawing. 

Ear cropping is a cosmetic procedure which involves surgical removal of the ear flaps. Ear cropping is most common within purebred dogs to achieve a distinctive physical appearance.

 

While there are many arguments both for and against this procedure, we highly recommend that pet owners carefully consider this decision and consult a veterinarian. We advise pet owners to proceed with caution as the desired result of any ear crop is not guaranteed.