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Here at Adopt-a-Pet.com we receive all types of email from potential adopters. Below is one email we received recently that struck a chord with us. Nothing saddens us more than a wonderful potential home who gets frustrated trying to adopt a pet, to the point where they are considering turning to a breeder or pet store. That means instead of a homeless pet being saved, that home might be funding one of the causes of pet overpopulation — and as a result, pets being killed in shelters. That’s tragic! Especially because we KNOW that no matter what the type of pet a home wants to adopt, that pet can almost always be found in a shelter or rescue, hoping to be one of the lucky ones that gets adopted. It is true that if the potential adopter is very specific and set in what they want (say, a rare breed purebred puppy) it may take more time or driving farther. But isn’t a little patience and extra effort worth saving a pet’s life? Here’s our recent email exchange… and find out which puppy in the photo is from a breeder and which is from a rescue!

 

Dear Jennifer,

I’m hoping you can provide me with some guidance in my search for a Golden Retriever.  I am almost at a point were I am going to just buy one.  However, I want to try one more time to try to adopt.  I do want a purebred.  My pets have always been well kept. They sleep in my home and have a big yard with an invisible fence.  They always see a vet for check ups or health issues. I have a mixed breed that I adopted a long time ago.  I want him to have a friend, but it seems I never qualify.  Are there shelters or pet adoption agencies that do not put so many restrictions on potential adopters?

Sincerely,
Tom

 

Dear Tom,

We so appreciate you emailing us and asking for guidance!

Yes, there are thousands of shelters in the US and Canada that do not have any restrictions on potential adopters. Many city and county shelters only require you show up, show an ID, and pay the fee to walk out with your new dog.

However, because there are other people like yourself who are big fans of Golden Retrievers and other pets, many of those people volunteer to help those dogs so they aren’t killed in the shelters. That’s why you see so many of them in rescue organizations. Each rescue is different.  While some may have restrictions say against an invisible fence, others may not. I see today you’ve signed up for Search Saver for within 100 miles of your zip — that’s great! For each dog you see that interests you, I encourage you to email each rescue as you did me today.

I know with patience and perseverance, you can find the dog you want to adopt.

Good luck and thank you again for looking to adopt a pet!

Sincerely,
Jennifer

Did you guess which puppy in the photo is from a rescue and which is from a breeder? Answer: As of the writing of this article, BOTH puppies are for adoption from the same rescue organization! 

Find your perfect pet to adopt at www.adoptapet.com

If you said trick question, we’d have to agree with you! Choosing one pet might be impossible – as they are each so special and wonderful.  But choosing a bunch of your favorite pets? Well that could get a lot easier.  Now, when browsing Adopt-a-Pet.com you can login with Facebook and select your favorite pets from the site to be included in your Favorite Pets List, the newest feature we’ve rolled out. You are going to love this cool new tool. Here’s why:

1. If you’re looking to adopt a pet, your Favorite Pets List is a great place to keep track of pets you’re interested in.  Search today, save to your Favorite Pets List, and come back anytime to see those pets again. We’ll fetch your favorite pets for you!
2. You needn’t be looking to adopt a pet to get a lot of use from this tool. Think of your Favorite Pets List as your newest tool in advocacy – a virtual shelter of pets you want to help.  Save locally adoptable pets to your list and help them get adopted sooner by blasting their profiles out on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest – right from your Favorite Pets list.

If you haven’t yet, please visit Adopt-a-Pet.com and check out this new feature for yourselves. Then hop on our Facebook page and let us know what you think!

Recently, we held our very first ever Happy Beginnings cover model search. Thousands of heartwarming and smile-inspiring photos poured in from awesome pet adopters just like you who were out to prove that shelter pets are loving, warm, and soulful beings. And since a picture says 1,000 words, we think there may be no better way to get the message across! So, we’re doing it again!

You know your favorite photo of you with your pet – the one that just exudes happiness and with mere pixels, communicates just how wonderful having a pet can be? What if that photo – YOUR photo of YOUR pet – inspired other people to adopt and save the life of a shelter pet? We’re searching for Adopt-a-Pet.com’s next Facebook “cover pet” photo – and it could be of your best friend. We’ll choose one photo that captures the essence of pet adoption – the happiness, the joy, the smiles, laughter, and love – to be featured as our cover pet on Facebook and featured on our blog.

Here’s how your photo can be chosen:

1. Follow us on Instagram
2. Post your photos to your Instagram account with a caption telling us your favorite thing about your relationship with your pet.
3. Make sure you mention @adoptapetcom in your caption and include the #HappyBeginnings hash tag.

Let’s debunk stereotypes and start more Happy Beginnings for shelter pets! Good luck!

Feeling clever? Great! Time to put those thinking caps on to come up with your most clever, heartwarming, sweet, and darn-right silly captions for our Cuddles and Rage Diorama Giveaway Contest. Our friends at Cuddles and Rage, the mixed media webcomic, made this one-of-a-kind diorama dedicated to Adopt-a-Pet.com and the pets we all love. Yep, we said diorama. That means that this lovely creation is more than just a photograph – it’s a 3D piece of art work that one of our awesome community members is going to win!

Here’s what you need to know to enter:

1. Jump over to our Facebook page and give us a “Like.” You’ll see this picture posted on our timeline.
2. In the comments below the photo, share your best caption. It can be funny or serious, but it has to be original. Enter as many times you’d like between now and the end of the day on Sunday 7/20, because on Monday 7/21 we’ll choose a winner! Hey, it could be you!

We’ll notify the winner via a Facebook message, where we’ll then ask for your address so please be ready to reply if you’re the chosen recipient. Good luck and happy captioning!

 

 

Complete contest rules:

The Adopt-a-Pet.com “Cuddles & Rage Diorama Caption” Contest

OFFICIAL RULES

 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING.

 

PROMOTION DESCRIPTION:  The Adopt-a-Pet.com “Cuddles & Rage Diorama Caption” Contest (the “Contest”) begins on or about July 17th, 2014, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on July 20th, 2014 (the “Contest Period”). To enter the Contest, create a caption for a piece of artwork posted on Sponsor’s Facebook Page (each, a “Submission”).  At the end of the Contest Period, one (1) Grand Prize winner will be selected from all eligible Submissions received during the Contest Period, as more fully set forth below.  By participating in the Contest, each entrant unconditionally accepts and agrees to comply with and abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of Humane America Animal Foundation, d/b/a Adopt-a-Pet.com, 310 N. Indian Hill Blvd., #800, Claremont‎, CA ‎ 91711, (“Sponsor”), which shall be final and binding in all respects.

 

ELIGIBILITY:  The Contest is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States, the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry.  Officers, directors and employees of Sponsor and its parents, subsidiaries, licensors, affiliates, distributors, retailers, sales representatives, advertising and promotion agencies (all such entities and individuals referred to collectively herein as the “Promotion Entities”), and the immediate family members and/or those residing in the same household of each are ineligible to enter the Contest or win a prize.

 

HOW TO ENTER:  During the Contest Period, visit Sponsor’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/Adoptapetcom (the “Website”) “like” the Website, and post a caption for the piece of artwork featured on the Website.  Each Submission that is entered into the Contest must be the submitting entrant’s original, previously unpublished work and not feature any material owned or controlled by third parties (including without limitation, third party copyrighted material).  Submissions must be received by the end of the Contest Period.  Any personal information collected by Sponsor in connection with the Contest will be used such information in accordance with its online privacy policy, located at http://www.adoptapet.com/public/privacy_policy. Proof of submission is not considered proof of delivery to or receipt of such entry.  Sponsor shall have no liability for any Submission that is lost, intercepted or not received by the Sponsor.

 

WINNER SELECTION: Sponsor (in its sole discretion) will select the Grand Prize winner from all eligible Submissions received during the Contest Period.  The Prize winner will be notified through Facebook.  Sponsor shall have no liability for any winner notification that is lost, intercepted or not received by the potential winner for any reason.  If any potential winner does not respond within the time required by Sponsor, or if the winner notification is returned as unclaimed or undeliverable to any potential winner, such potential winner will forfeit his or her prize and an alternate winner may be selected.

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES/INDEMNIFICATION:  Each person who enters this Contest (and his or her parent or legal guardian, if the entrant is under the age of majority in his or her state/province of residence [a “minor”]) represents and warrants as follows: (i) the Submission is the entrant’s own original, previously unpublished, and previously unproduced work; (ii) the Submission does not and will not violate or infringe upon the intellectual property rights or other rights of any other person or entity; and (iii) the Submission does not and will not violate any applicable laws, and is not and will not be defamatory or libelous.  Each entrant hereby agrees to indemnify and hold the Promotion Entities harmless from and against any and all third party claims, actions or proceedings of any kind and from any and all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses relating to or arising out of any breach or alleged breach of any of the warranties, representations or agreements of entrant hereunder.

 

PUBLICITY RELEASE:  By participating in the Contest, in addition to any other grants which may be granted in any other agreement entered into between Sponsor and any entrant in or winner of the Contest, each entrant irrevocably grants the Promotion Entities and their respective successors, assigns and licensees, the right to use such entrant’s name, likeness, biographical information and Submission, and any individual(s) participating therein, in any and all media for any purpose, including without limitation, advertising and promotional purposes as well as in, on or in connection with the Website or the Contest or other promotions, and hereby release the Promotion Entities from any liability with respect thereto.

 

PRIZES The Grand Prize winner will receive the artwork featured on the Website.  The approximate retail value of the Grand Prize is $300.

 

GENERAL PRIZE CONDITIONS:  No cash alternative or prize substitutions will be allowed, except Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prize(s) or opportunities or comparable out-of-pocket cost value if any prize or opportunity listed is unavailable, in whole or in part, for any reason.  The Prize winners shall be solely responsible for all federal, state and/or local taxes, and the reporting consequences thereof, and for any other fees or costs associated with the Prize. 

 

GENERAL LIABILITY RELEASE/FORCE MAJEURE: Entrants agree that the Promotion Entities (a) shall not be responsible or liable for any losses, damages or injuries of any kind (including death) resulting from participation in the Contest or any Contest-related activity, or from entrants’ acceptance, receipt, possession and/or use or misuse of the prize(s), and (b) have not made any warranty, representation or guarantee express or implied, in fact or in law, with respect to the priz
e(s), including, without limitation, to such prize’s quality or fitness for a particular purpose. Entrants will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Promotion Entities from and against all third party claims arising out of or relating to Entrant’s Submission. Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any damage to an entrant’s computer system which is occasioned by accessing the Website or participating in the Contest.  Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who is found to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or the Website and/or the Entry Site, to be acting in violation of these Official Rules, or to be acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with the intent to disrupt or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest, or to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person, and Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages and other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law.  These Official Rules cannot be modified or amended in any way except in a written document issued in accordance with the law by a duly authorized representative of Sponsor.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.  In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these rules shall otherwise remain in effect and shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained herein.

   

DATES & DEADLINES/ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF CONTESTANTS:  Because of the unique nature and scope of the Contest, Sponsor reserves the right, in addition to those other rights reserved herein, to modify any date(s) or deadline(s) set forth in these Official Rules or otherwise governing the Contest.  Sponsor cannot accurately predict the number of entrants who will participate in the Contest.

 

GOVERNING LAW/JURISDICTION:  ALL ISSUES AND QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEABILITY OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES OR THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF ENTRANTS OR SPONSOR IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONTEST SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OF CONFLICT OF LAW RULES OR PROVISIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER STATE’S LAWS.

 

WINNERS LIST/OFFICIAL RULES:  To obtain a copy of any legally-required winners list, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to 310 N. Indian Hill Blvd., #800, Claremont‎, CA ‎ 91711.  All such requests must be received within six (6) weeks following the end of the Contest Period.  These Official Rules will be posted on the Website.

We love Summer! With warm temperatures, sunshine on our faces, and social events galore this season has a lot of great things to offer, but there are also some potential dangers lurking for pets in warmer months. Do you know how to keep your pets safe? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Our mini Summer-Safety roundup guide has the basics you need for a fun and safe season with your best friend!

Click the links below to read more about how to keep your pets safe this summer with tips about heat, paws, pavement, fireworks, and more!

Summer Heat Safety for Pets: Check out some tips on how to keep your pet cool during walks, preventing heatstroke, and some guidelines about pets in cars.

Protecting Paws from Hot Pavement: Did you know when the air temperature is outside is measured at 77 degrees, asphalt in the sun has been measured at 125 degrees. Read more about pavement temperature and how to keep your dogs feet safe.

Summertime Pet Safety: Make sure you pet is safe from danger during all your summer fun.

Keep your Pets Safe this Summer:  Read up on some of the most important tips on proper summer pet care

Fireworks and Fourth of July Safety: You may live for the Fourth of July light shows, but your pet is likely dreading them. Here you’ll find some tips on how to keep him safe and ease the anxiety.

 

This story was updated from it original version, published on July 16, 2014.

This year’s summer blockbuster is here! Following up on the success of his action-packed spy adventures Dr. Meow and Octopussycat, Agent 00Kitten is ready to strike again! Watch the video here! Secret kitten agents have been deployed in shelters and rescues across North America. You can help save the world and kittens by going to www.adoptapet.com and finding your very own kitten agent (or two!) to adopt!

(Psst… James Bond is a real-life kitten available for adoption in West Hollywood, CA.)

PALO ALTO, CALIF (June, 2014) –Superfish, a pioneer in visual search technology, and Adopt-a-Pet.com announced today a new partnership that combines the power of the world’s largest non-profit database of adoptable pets with PetMatch, the world’s first visual pet search mobile app. The company also announced a new Android version of PetMatch to expand reach and allow more people to find adoptable pets in their area. Through the partnership with Adopt-a-Pet.com, PetMatch expands its database to include more than 200,000 pets from more than 14,000 shelters across the country.

“At this moment, hundreds of thousands of animals sit in shelters waiting to be adopted into their forever homes. We’re delighted to use this technology to help serve our mission—getting pets into homes—and PetMatch makes that process fun and easy,” said Dana Puglisi of Adopt-a-Pet.com. “Because PetMatch uses pictures rather than words, it’s faster and more intuitive than text based search bringing people closer to finding what they’re looking for and more importantly it gets pets adopted into forever homes and we are thrilled to help Adopt-a-Pet.com do just that,” said Adi Pinhas, CEO and Founder of Superfish.

How to Use PetMatch

• Open the app, take a picture, upload from your collection, or use a picture from the PetMatch sample gallery to get started.
• Behind the scenes, PetMatch uses Superfish’s patented visual search technology to find similar adoptable pets in your area.
• PetMatch gives you all the information you need to connect with the adoption agency.

Learn more at www.superfish.com/petmatch where you can download the app from the App Store and the Google Play store.

Hip spectacles. No testicles. Meet Scooter, the suave neutered cat. He’s making it his mission to educate cat lovers on the importance of spaying and neutering. Check out his video for some great wisdom. Plus, he’s adorable!

 

 

Fireworks are no fun for pets! Keep your pets inside so they’ll be safe this 4th of July. You can read the many pet safety tips we’ve posted over the years to help you and your pets handle the fireworks week and weekend here: https://www.adoptapet.com/blog/?s=fireworks&submit=Search