Dog Adoption Centers: PetSmart Charities’ Rescue Waggin’ Program

Written by Senior Editor Peter Gehr

Dog Adoption Centers: PetSmart charities rescue waggin’ program. An important step in pet ownership is the responsibility of seeing to it that you dog is spayed or neutered at the appropriate age. Animal shelters are often inundated with homeless pets that end up being euthanized due to either overcrowding or the fact that people are looking only for spayed or neutered pets. In order to reduce this problem seek the advice from your vet, and arrange for the procedure well in advance. This adds an element of importance to the need and will give you a specific date, time and reason to follow through with it.

Dog Adoption Centers: PetSmart Charities' Rescue Waggin' Program

Dog Adoption Centers: PetSmart Charities' Rescue Waggin' Program

There are a number of opinions out there with regards to when a dog should be spayed or neutered, and the best advice is to consult with your veterinarian. Some experts say that neutering at around 6 months is best, and the benefits are not only the reduction of aggressive behavior, but are less likely to develop obesity, jump fences or fight with other dogs.

Of course, the main issue is taking away the desire to mate, which consequently rules out any unnecessary or unwanted breeding—which can lead to another set of complications.

Dog Adoption Centers: PetSmart Charities’ Rescue Waggin’ Program

Every day, overcrowded animal shelters look for new ways to save the lives of homeless pets. In 2011, PetSmart Charities’ Rescue Waggin’ program transported 9,541 dogs and puppies from communities with high pet populations and euthanasia rates to shelters with exceptional adoption programs and more adoption space for pets in need of homes.

Since its inception in 2004, the Rescue Waggin’ program has saved the lives of more than 52,000 dogs and puppies. It’s the first and largest national pet transport program in the U.S. and has been labeled the “gold standard” for pet transport by veterinarians and national humane organizations. The program has expanded from one site in 2004 to 60 shelters in 22 states with four routes today: East Coast, Midwest, Great Plains, and the South Central states region.

“Until more people spay and neuter their pets and we reduce the number of animals entering shelters, the Rescue Waggin’ program will continue to be a resource for shelters working to change the fate of homeless dogs in their communities,” said Susanna Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities, Inc.

Specially equipped Rescue Waggin’ vehicles have logged more than 1.5 million miles and can comfortably transport as many as 50 to 60 puppies and dogs at a time, providing them with a temperature-controlled environment, complete with piped-in lullaby music.

The Rescue Waggin’ program not only saves pets’ lives, it also helps many shelters improve their operations and manage their pet populations in a more sustainable way. To date, PetSmart Charities has granted more than $1.75 million to Rescue Waggin’ partners to help reduce disease in their shelters, upgrade cat rooms, and update and remodel dog kennels. Click here to visit the original source of this post

Dog Adoption Centers: PetSmart charities rescue waggin’ program is a terrific effort to intervene and actively participate in solving a problem. Of course, the ultimate solution is for pet owners to remain responsible by making sure they take good care of their dogs by providing them with the medical procedures necessary to de-sex so that any wondering tendencies are removed. Ruling out unwanted breeding makes you a conscientious dog owner with an accountable attitude and sensible member of the community. This is all part of pet ownership and contributes to the solution to cut down on homeless pets that usually end up euthanized—which is a result that could have been prevented.