LIED UPDATES

What you can do to help:

***Spay & Neuter your pets (If money is an issue, check with Heaven Can Wait Animal Sanctuary http://hcws.org/ or other humane and rescue organizations for free/low cost sterilization clinics)

***Microchip and Tag your pets (Petsmart sells tags for about $6 and they're ready in minutes. Put your address and phone# on your tag so if your dog gets lost it can be returned to your home or you can be called to claim your pet. Use a number you can always be reached at in case you're out of town.

***Vaccinate your pets (low cost clinics are offered at some vets and at Lied)

***Stop buying from backyard breeders. Don't call ads in the paper unless they display a breeders license number. Ideally, save a dog or cat from a death sentence at the shelter. Also, there are many breed specific rescues. Here are some tips if you choose to buy from a breeder (compliments of Marlene)

here are just a few examples on what to look for:
Reputable breeders:

- usually belong to a national breed club for their
chosen breed/s, if their breed club has a Code of Ethics for breeders a buyer should read that and ask the breeder if they are a COE breeder
- have a purchase contract that requires that the buyer has to return the dog to the breeder if the buyer cannot keep the dog anymore
-
never push a sale, they want to get to know the potential buyer because they want to make sure that the puppy goes to a good home, they want to know why a potential buyer wants their particular breed and will educate a potential buyer about the breed
- won't sell puppies under 8 weeks of age or sell puppies that have not been examined by a vet prior to the sale

***SAVE A LIFE - Adopt your pets from a rescue organization or from Lied Animal Shelter (You'd be surprised how many full breed dogs end up there!)

***If you must surrender your animal, PLAN AHEAD! Don't wait till the last minute. There are many breed specific rescues or other humane organizations such as Nevada SPCA or Las Vegas Valley Human Society that may be able to help. Exhaust these options before going to Lied. Your pet will have a better chance at adoption and will give another animal a chance.

***Become a temporary foster home for pets. Many people who get ill, go to the hospital or have a family crisis end up surrendering their pets because they need a little time. Also, many humane organizations and rescues DESPERATELY need and depend on foster homes to keep pets until they can be adopted out. Sadly, many kittens and puppies (with no mother) are euthanized simply because they don't have foster homes when they are too young to survive without care. There aren't enough staff members at Lied to care for kittens and puppies who require special attention.

***MOST IMPORTANTLY, REGISTER TO VOTE AND CALL YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES AND TELL THEM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. Call County Commissioners, City Council Members and State Representatives and tell them you want more effective spay/neuter laws and enforcement of those laws. After all, It won't be important to our elected officials until they know it's important to US!!! Make your voice heard for the voiceless.