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January 3, 2012

White House Responds to Citizen Petition to Stop Puppy Mills

In the final days of 2011, the White House issued an official response to the online petition asking President Obama to crack down on puppy mills. The petition focused on the loophole in the federal Animal Welfare Act that allows high-volume breeders who sell puppies online and directly to the public to avoid inspections and basic oversight. The response, signed by Rebecca Blue, United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, outlines the USDA’s plans to improve oversight of commercial dog breeders and to issue new rules to regulate those who sell puppies over the Internet.

“The existing regulations were drafted pre-Internet. They allow many commercial breeders to operate without a license and without any inspections—meaning they are not accountable to anyone for their breeding and care standards,” says Cori Menkin, Senior Director of the ASPCA’s Puppy Mills Campaign. “The ASPCA is encouraged that the USDA has committed to help end the suffering of millions of breeding dogs and protect consumers by finally closing this loophole.”

The petition was posted in September 2011 by The Humane Society of the United States, The Humane Society Legislative Fund and the ASPCA. More than 32,000 Americans signed on, making it one of the most popular petitions on the White House’s We the People website.

To learn more about the ASPCA’s campaign to eradicate puppy mills go to: www.NoPetStorePuppies.com

We do not have a facility; the dogs live in foster homes with families and family pets. Volunteers open their homes and hearts to assist in assessing, training and nursing back to health these wonderful dogs until their Forever Family is found.

Training and Health Issues: BHBR works with the dogs on training, if needed, addresses behavioral issues, teaches that humans love them and are not all bad. Many of our rescue dogs come from a background of abuse and neglect. Many also come from home situations which did not take the proper time to train the dog, leading to the development of bad habits. Then there are those dogs that lose their homes because their family has fallen on hard times or can no longer keep them, but the boxers are perfectly healthy and well behaved.

Additionally, many have serious health issues, which lead to euthanasia in shelters because of lack of funds to treat illness; however, BHBR will accept a boxer regardless of health. We work closely with our veterinarian to help each boxer back to perfect health.

Spay/Neuter: All BHBR dogs are spayed or neutered before they are available for adoption. This practice allows BHBR to help stop the over-breeding of boxers. There are THOUSANDS of homeless boxers throughout the United States. It also helps our boxers live longer lives. It is proven to cure mammary cancer, prevent infection of the uterus, testicular cancer and other illnesses. Some behavior problems will rectify themselves after surgery as well.

All proceeds from BHBR adoptions, goes to help offset veterinary fees. If you are interested in adopting, please read our adoption requirements and fill out an application.   At this time, BHBR representatives correspond via e-mail only until an adoption approval has been gained. Our email is: bhboxerrescue@aol.com

Donations: To help any of our Boxers, donations may be sent directly to our Vet Clinic, in care of Black Hills Boxer Rescue to:

All Creatures Veterinary Clinic
Dean Falcon DVM
907 Jackson Blvd
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-342-0052

NOTE:  DONATIONS ARE NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE UNTIL WE HAVE COMPLETED THE PROCESS FOR NON-PROFIT!

Dexter is a one year old hearing white male with natural ears and a cropped tail. He is house trained, kennel trained and is your typical young male boxer.  He would do best with another playful dog in the house and a family that can take him with
them on their activities.  He is very social with other dogs of any size.  Dexter is your typical goofy, silly boxer boy, that loves to have things to chew on and play with.  He’ll romp and play until he needs a nap.

Dexter loves to go for walks, play with his toys and have chew toys to occupy himself.  He has such a sweet temperament, he would be great in a home with children.  His former home had another male boxer and several various little breed dogs. He was wonderful with all of them.

Dexter is doing great in his foster home.  He has another young male boxer that loves to play with him, plus there are three female dogs of various ages and breeds.  He is great with the kids in the house and is a very loving boy.  He is really easy to work into a new family because he is so social and sweet.

Dexter has also slimmed down to a perfect weight since BHBR took him in. He is still very food driven, but is on scheduled feedings and looks fantastic. He really is one handsome boy!  He’s doing very well with his house skills and is one of the sweetest dogs we’ve had in rescue. He is going to make some family very happy!! Its not uncommon for Dexter to snuggle up with his foster brother, Bingo.  They play and play together.  Normally BHBR does not put same sex dogs together, but Dexter gets along with any dog, so it works in this case.

Dexter’s nickname in his foster home is “Tech Support”.  Every time someone opens up a laptop, he squishes his nose right in it to help.  He loves to help you when you’re on the computer.

Dexter is ready for his forever home!!  He is looking for a family that will invest some time into his training.  He does respond very well to basic commands.  Adoption Donation: $275.  Fill out an application if interested.

Donations are always welcome, especially as BHBR has grown considerably in the past few years.  We can no longer self-sustain.  We need to fund raise if we are to continue with the high quality of care in our program. We are seeking our 501 c 3 non-profit status. All donations will be tax deductible as soon as it is granted. Watch for updates!

Please don’t use Freecycle or Craigslist to re-home. Contact area rescues, we’ll do anything in our power to help YOU find a good Forever Home for your pet.

If you need help finding ways to keep your beloved pets, we’re there for you!! When you feel you are out of options, remember, you’re not.  We’d rather help you keep your pets, than re-home them!! This is for all companion animals, not just Boxers.

Buster started out in rescue so emaciated he didn’t have the energy to stand.  He was left outdoors in subzero weather, without food or water.  He was seriously near death when found.  Buster was also attacked by some other dogs while in this state, so he developed a serious fear of strange dogs.  His foster mom has worked tirelessly with him on socialization.  He currently is in a foster home with four other pugs, without issues;  this took a little bit of work the first couple of days and then he was fine.

The following update was written by his foster mom.

Ok, so this is what makes Buster a great dog.

First and foremost he is a “go with the flow” kind of dog.  His mood reflects that of the house.  He is always ready and willing to go, but if the day calls for quiet downtime he complies without complaint.  Though you will get many sad pleading eyes asking for a walk!

Buster is housetrained, crate trained, trustworthy when left home alone out of a crate, and never destructive in any way (unless you count the tracks he makes tearing around the yard-we don’t!).  He respects open doors and only goes out when given permission (except the patio door to the backyard).

He is also very quiet unless you are playing with him in a very rambunctious manner.  When he gets to doing the kidney bean-watch your toes, he does weigh 90+ pounds.  It’s best to keep active play outside with him.  If he does get out of hand, a hand on his collar and a “sit” is all it takes to calm him down.

Buster heels very nicely on “city” walks and doesn’t pull when on hikes using a retractable leash.  He will walk by other dogs out walking on the other side of the street and those in their fenced yard very nicely now; he shows interest, but keeps moving forward.  He just needs to know who is in charge and what you expect of him.

Buster has shown tremendous tolerance with a certain pug in the house; he can get jumped on, nipped at and annoyingly licked in the face and he just takes it all.  He is also very tolerant of the pugs being under foot in general and while feeding.  All in all Buster has come so far and he’s just such a big love who just wants to hang out with his humans (and he will follow you everywhere you go) and he really does love the company of other dogs once he gets to know them.  Those pugs make great snuggle buddies.

Buster is sensitive too.  It doesn’t take much to scold him if you have to and he really does care what your mood is.  Also, he’s young, but way past that constant state of motion stage.  He’s a sweet, sweet boy that considers a successful day one spent with his family doing whatever!

Adoption Donation is $275.

Dexter loves to go for walks, play with his toys and have chew toys to occupy himself.  He has such a sweet temperament; he would be great in a home with children. He has been living with Ringo, who is also available for adoption. They are not required to go together, although BHBR would like Dexter to have a doggy playmate.

Dexter’s foster family reports that he is doing great.  In his foster home, he has another young male boxer that loves to play with him.  He is really easy to work into a new family because he is so social.

Dexter is ready for his forever home!!  He is looking for a family that will invest some time into his training.  He does respond very well to basic commands. Dexter is a little over weight, but a little more exercise will quickly take care of that.  Adoption Donation: $275.

Dexter

We ask that you take a moment and in some manner, find a way to honor a veteran.  These men, women, and military working dogs, some paying the ultimate sacrifice, serve and have served our country honorably.

So please keep our deployed servicemembers in your thoughts.  And as you look at our Nation’s flag today, remember our Veterans.

Unfortunately now is also the time that rescue organizations, such as BHBR, are inundated with calls from shelters asking for help due to overcrowding. Rescues do their best and work to help all animals as much as they can. But in order to do this, we do need a few things (items that might be hanging around your house). So we’re making our list and checking it twice, our entire boxer brood has been nice!!!

BHBR’s Wish List:

Cleaning Supplies:

• Used or New Cotton Towels
• Paper Towels
• Dreft or Arm and Hammer Laundry Detergent
• Fabric Softener
• Bleach
• Squirt Bottles
• Rubber Gloves
• Disinfectant Cleaner
• Nature’s Miracle.

Bedding: (New or Used)

• Comforters, blankets and sheets
• Towels (all sizes)
• Pillows
• Fleece fabric
• Dog Beds

Foods:

• Diamond Lamb and Rice (Adult or Puppy Food.)
• Any high quality dog food with “meat” listed as the first ingredients

Treats:

• Compressed Rawhides, log rolls or Pig Ears
• Bully sticks
• Kong fillers
• Milkbone, Bacon or Chicken Treats
• Bonez, Biljac Liver Training Treats, etc

Toys:

• Kongs
• Stuffed Animals
• Frisbees
• Indestructible Balls
• Squeaky Toys
• Footballs
• Tug Ropes
• Heavy Duty Toys

Medical Supplies:

• Peroxide or Rubbing Alcohol
• Cotton Balls
• 4×4 Sterile Gauze Pads
• Vet Wrap
• Medical Tape
• Q-tips
• Ear Cleaner/Eye Cleaner
• Triple A Antibiotic Ointment
• Anti-Fungal Ointments
• Chlorhexiderm Shampoo
• Maleseb Shampoo
• Benzoyl Peroxide Shampoo
• Frontline, Heartgard or Heartgard Plus, Ivomec, Revolution, Strongid, Da2ppv Vaccinations
• Puppy Pads, Doggie Diapers or cheaper kids diapers
• Belly Bands

Grooming:

• Toenail Clippers
• Toothbrush and Paste
• Rubber Hair Brushes
• Love Glove
• Dremel Tools
• Styptic Powder
• Shampoo

Restraining Devices

• New or Used Large Tuff-lock or Martingale Collars
• Leashes, Halters, Halti’s, Gentle Leaders, Muzzles

Housing:

• Large to Extra Large Metal or Airline type Crates/Kennels (preferably the airline crates,)
• X-Pens
• Baby Gates

Our Biggest Wish is for more foster homes and volunteers!!

So you want to donate? Great!! BHBR is accepting donations now! Clothes, kids toys, furinature, electronics, tools — and the list goes on! BHBR will even take your yard sale leftovers.  Email bhboxerrescue@aol.com for more information on how to donate and to set up a time drop off time.

Donations are not the only way you can help out either.  Volunteers are needed to help with set-up/tear-down and during the sale to assist customers.  Stop by Dunn Brothers Coffee shop on Aug. 7 at 4 p.m. for more details.  Meeting details are also available on the BHBR Facebook page.

For those interested in SHOPPING, stay tuned.  A list of items will be posted on the BHBR website