Washington State Humane Society Dogs

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Where can a buy dogs in Washington state, preferably near Tacoma?
   I want a new small dog, I have looked at tacoma humane society and B&B with no luck yet. Suggestions.

   • ANSWER:
     petfinder.com

     When you visit the Humane Society, a lot of them will let you fill out a form describing the type/size of dog you are interested in. Then they will call you when one comes in. I live in Vancouver, WA and our Humane Society does this. You can also check other Humane Societies and make the drive (Vancouver is south of Tacoma but they may have the dog you are looking for!!)

     I went to Petfinder and typed in Tacoma, here is the page that popped up

     http://search.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi

2. QUESTION:
   Where do I get help if the humane society wont help me with this?
   I live in a very small town. most of you will not believe me when I explain the following but yes this does happen, the humane society has been called but nothing gets done. Where do I go to get help if the following is happening? Is everything i'm about to explain illegal?

   Their is an old man who has about 60 head of horses, most of the time they dont get fed, they range on about 150 acres, more if they manage to break through the fencing. ( one got tangled up last year and they had to put it down) They hardly get fed in the winter, they run with two studs and half the time mares are so mal nutritioned they dont take. If they are fed, it's corn or it's a bail of hay thrown out into the middle of the fenced area.
   This guy also has pigs that have about 3 feet of poop to roam in a 40x40 pen, if they have piglets that die their left for the other pigs to eat. He also runs a puppy mill and when he loses puppies he throws them to the pigs. The dogs themselves live in old apple bins and have been chained up so long their are holes where they burrow and have their pups, if they get fed it's old meat they dont eat or left overs.

   This is only a small detail of what I've seen and heard. My best friend used to be married to this mans son, until she couldn't handle this anymore. She has tried to call the humane society but every time they show up, everything is cleaned up or fixed to the point where they can't really do anything.
   I live in the State of Washington and when I called I was told that so long as hay (feed) or water is present (within sight) it's not animal abuse. Here we can appearently beat the crap out of our animals and turn them into skin and bones but if their feed is within sight they can't do anything about it. I"m sick of my friends son telling us horror stories of what it's like at this man's house. What can I do to help my friend? Is their an organization I can talk to? is it legal to go on this guys property and document it and turn that in? And to who? I know this sounds outragous and I didn't believe it until I saw a little bit of the property and animals myself.
   Please no rude answers, this is not my property I'm simply just trying to find help for these animals. I haven't been around this guy personally, just to help my friend move her things. I met this friend two years ago when she divorced him and left the property. ( this guy is a real control freak and threatens to take her son from her when she pitches a fit about this problem)

   • ANSWER:
     From my experience, you'd be better off contacting an equine charity. World Horse Welfare (formally the International League for the Protection of Horses) are UK based but are looking to prevent cruelty worldwide. We had a runaway pony on our yard once and contacted the RSPCA - they wouldn't send a vet out to the pony that needed stitches because it was Sunday. After 2 hours of arguing, the yard owner managed to get them to get the vet out.

     Take some photos of the conditions and send them to any equine charities you can think of - it's likely they will team up to get these horses the care they need as space in some of their rehabilitation centres may be full and it would be more cost effective for them all to work together for these horses.

     This is the WHW website - send them a message with what is going on. They should be able to give you some advice. http://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/

3. QUESTION:
   Did you hear about the HSUS involving the Vick dogs?
   National Press Release
   Center for Consumer Freedom: Humane Society of the United States is Morally Compromised, Just Like Michael Vick

   0 million animal rights group raised money with false promise to care for Vick's dogs

   WASHINGTON, May 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) prepares to kiss and make up with convicted dogfighter Michael Vick, the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) is calling on the animal rights group to return the money it raised with the false promise that it would care for the dogs rescued from Vick's former home.

   Beginning on July 18 -- the day after Vick's criminal indictment -- HSUS promised on its website that financial contributions would help it "care for the dogs seized in the Michael Vick case." The New York Times later reported that HSUS was not, in fact, caring for the animals. HSUS president Wayne Pacelle told the Times that his group is recommending that government officials "put down" (kill) the dogs rather than adopt them out to suitable homes.

   After CCF publicized this deception, HSUS quietly altered its online fundraising pitch. And despite HSUS's stated desire to see the dogs killed, CNN reports that most of them are being successfully rehabilitated by genuine animal-rescue groups.

   "Most Americans can't stand dogfighting," said CCF Director of Research David Martosko. "But they also can't stand phony fundraising claims. If HSUS keeps the money it raised by promising it would care for Michael Vick's dogs, the group is just as morally compromised as he is."

   The Humane Society of the United States is not affiliated with any local "humane societies." The organization does not own or operate any hands-on dog or cat shelters in the U.S. Less than 4 percent of its budget in 2007 was passed through to legitimate pet shelters.

   "HSUS knows that Americans are dog lovers, and it's exploiting their emotions to build a war chest for anti-meat, anti-dairy, and anti-medical-research campaigns," Martosko added. "HSUS should return every cent and apologize for misleading the public."

   what do you think about this? Do you think the dogs should have been put down? should HSUS return the money?

   • ANSWER:
     Lots of agencies that claim to raise money and help others don't. I am not surprised they didn't help. It is like those pink ribbons on products that are supposed to donate money to cancer, and they don't. They just slap a pink ribbon on a product and you buy it thinking you are helping, but you aren't. It is like the Salvation Army claiming to help people. They would rather spit on you than help you, and in most cases they do. There isn't much in life that is fair these days. Best friends took some of those dogs and they were supposed to get some money for the care, but not enough money for what they were doing.

4. QUESTION:
   Are there any apartments in Vancouver Washington without pet restrictions?
   I'll be graduating high school shortly, and my father doesn't want me to stay at home, and has given me two months after high school to get a job and move out. I grew up with pets all of my life and the thought of living without them is terrible, and there is an amazing American Pit Bull Terrier at the local Humane Society. I know that a doctor's note that states I need an ESA (Emotional Support Animal) is a possibility, but I also know that it does not always work, nor does it guarantee that I can have an APBT if the landlord even allows me to have an animal. I'm keeping my options open and was wondering if there were any apartments in the Vancouver Washington area that allow dogs (I haven't been able to find any, maybe I'm searching wrong) and if so, is there any way to get an APBT in?
   Thanks, but I'm well aware of how much dogs cost, and am prepared to take any and all responsibility for one. I'm not your average kid who just wants an animal with no desire or means to take care of it. I understand your concern, and thank you for your response, but would like my original question to be answered rather than have people throw out their opinions.
   My reasons for needing a dog are personal, and I do not wish to share, however, a doctor's note is a LAST RESORT. Thanks.

   • ANSWER:
     Try craigslist , it gives you a list of places that allow dogs!

5. QUESTION:
   Does your fur coat make you look like a dog?
   Some coats may have fur from dogs

   By KASIE HUNT, Associated Press Writer
   February 23, 2007

   WASHINGTON - That fur trim on your jacket that you think is fake? Tell it to Fido. An animal advocacy group says its investigation has turned up coats — some with designer labels, some at higher-end retailers — with fur from man's best friend. Some retailers were set scrambling to pull the coats from shelves, take them off Web sites and even offer refunds to consumers.

   The Humane Society of the United States said it purchased coats from reputable outlets, such as upscale Nordstrom, with designer labels — Andrew Marc, Tommy Hilfiger, for example — and found them trimmed with fur from domestic dogs, even though the fur was advertised as fake.

   • ANSWER:
     only the devil would wear fur

6. QUESTION:
   "Petland" store Busted..Investigation ties pet chain to puppy mills........?
   By Jane Weaver
   Health editor
   updated 4:08 p.m. CT, Thurs., Nov. 20, 2008

   After an eight-month investigation, the Humane Society of the United States accused "Petland", the national pet store chain, of selling dogs bred under appalling conditions at puppy mills around the country.

   The animal protection group made the charges at a news conference in Washington Thursday. The investigation involved 21 Petland stores and dozens of breeders and brokers. The Petland stores are being supplied by large-scale puppy mills, although customers are routinely informed that the dogs come only from good breeders, the Humane Society said.

   "They are buying from puppy mills where these dogs are not treated like pets," Michael Markarian, an executive vice president with the Humane Society, told a news conference. "They're treated like a cash crop, where mother dogs live in wire cages, sometimes stacked on top of each other in filthy, dirty, cramped conditions, where they receive little socialization or human interaction or exercise."

   Dogs from puppy mills are sold at Petland stores for as much as ,500 each, according to the Humane Society.

   Investigators reviewed interstate import records of an additional 322 breeders, U.S. Department of Agriculture reports and more than 17,000 individual puppies linked to Petland stores, according to a release on the group's Web site.

   Filthy cages, inadequate care
   Among the poor conditions cited, investigators found puppies in commercial breeders "living in filthy cages reeking of urine, with inadequate care and socialization," according to the release. The Humane Society says dogs at the mills were found in cages with wire flooring so large that the puppies' paws and even the paws of the mother dogs would fall through.

   The group said pet stores should not be buying puppies from "abusive puppy mills" and "should not be lying to consumers" about where they get their puppies.

   A call to Petland corporate offices in Chillicothe, Ohio, was not immediately returned. In a statement, Petland said the company does not support substandard breeding facilities and provides each store with guidelines on humane care of animals.

   A statement on the company's Web site noted that "Petland stores are independently operated by qualified franchisees. Each is responsible for choosing healthy pets offered to Petland customers. Petland, Inc. provides each Petland store with humane care guidelines to assist in this important task."

   Individual Petland stores previously have been targeted by animal rights activists for reselling puppies supplied by commercial breeders.

   Large commercial breeders are legal and regulated by the USDA, but enforcement of humane conditions is a low priority, according to a recent report on msnbc.com.

   The Humane Society investigation comes as legislators recently have stepped up moves to crack down on the lucrative puppy mill industry. In October, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell signed a bill imposing stricter standards on commercial kennels, including regular veterinary exams, larger cages and exercise areas. At least three other states have issued laws this year placing restrictions on commercial breeders.

   "The Word gets out about puppy mills & Pet Stores on NBC News!!"
   "Push to BAN Puppy Mills"
   http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/14465161#14465161

   *What are your thoughts on this?

   I know i am so Glad too that the word has FINALLY got out. And yeah its kind crazy that people are so shocked by this. They should have known from the start and they should have done research. It really just infuriates how these puppy mills are. How can a person be so inhumane!?!?!? How could they treat a Animal so harshly!?!
   It will only be a mystery. Its really Sad. And yes i totally any animal lover would already know all the stories on Pet Stores and Puppy Mills.

   And Yes "ITS ABOUT DAMN TIME THEY DO A INVESTIGATION"!!!!

   *I hope more and more words get out and people get informed on Pet Stores and Puppy Mills and Learn to only buy from Responsible Breeders who know and love the Breeds!!!
   And here is the Link to the Story::::
   http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27822309/?gt1=43001

   • ANSWER:
     I have known that they do that. I've asked the local petland here and none of those "sale clerks" can ever give me a straight answer of where the pups are from. I stop shopping at Petland a long time ago. And yes the price they charge for those pups are outrages. It angers me when people buy from them.

     Edit: can you please provide a link of where you got that article from. I want to pass it around. thank you

7. QUESTION:
   what are my chances on getting into Georgetown U?
   I was wondering what my chances are currently on getting into Georgetown University. Georgetown University is my main choice and I am applying under early action.

   My Resume-Ignore the "---" since thats my school name.

   Academics:
   Cumulative GPA: 3.6(un-weighted)

   Academic Standing: Top 5% of Junior Class

   Class Rank: 21/450

   ACT Score: 33/36

   AP Courses: AP Biology, AP European History, AP 10 English, ADV 9 English,
   AP US History, AP 11 English, AP Government and politics, AP 12 English

   Program(s): Georgetown University High School Summer Program: Law Institute

   Leadership:
   2011 student representative on the Washington state teacher of the year selection committee
   2011 – 2012 ---------- High ASB President
   2011 – 2012 -------- Board of Directors (local school board) Student Representative
   2010 – 2012 WA State Board of Education Student Representative
   2010 – 2012 WA Association of Student Councils Executive Officer (WASC)
   2010 – 2012 WA Association of Student Councils Executive Board Member (WASC)
   2009 – 2012 ------- High ASB Executive Committee
   2009 – 2011 -------- High Public Relations Officer
   2009 – 2011 -------- High Student Ambassador
   2010 – 2011 ---------- High Link Crew Leader
   2009 – Present 4-H Camp Leadership Team
   2009 4-H Camp Counselor in Training

   Awards/Honors:
   2011 Selected as student rep. to WA Teacher of the Year Selection Committee
   2011 Finalist for United States Senate Youth Program
   2011 MoveOn.org Regional Organizer Selectee
   2011 Admitted to Georgetown University Summer Program
   2011 Washington Aerospace Scholars Program Selectee
   2011 American Legion Evergreen Boys State Selectee
   2010 – 2011 Certificate of Academic Achievement (CHS)
   2010 – 2011 National Honors Society
   2010 State Board of Education, Junior Rep. Selectee
   2010 Pride of ----- Award (------- School District)
   2010 State Farm Star Award
   2010 WSSDA Annual Conference Selectee
   2009 – 2010 MESA Outstanding Community Outreach Efforts Award
   2009 – 2010 MESA Outstanding Performance in Math and Science
   2009 WSSDA Annual Conference Selectee
   2009 State Farm Star Award
   2009 -HS Golden Dog Nominee, Certificate of Academic Excellence
   2009 -HS Rising Star Award, In Recognition of Academic Excellence
   2009 Scholar Athlete Award
   2009 21st Century Scholar
   2007 – 2008 ------ MS PE Student of the Year

   Volunteer/Community Service:
   2011 City Councilman Campaign Volunteer
   2011 Humane Society Volunteer
   2010 Water Stargrass Removal Project, Benton Conservation District
   2010 Kid Care for Love and Logic Parent Class
   2010 Kid Care for Association for Teachers and Parents
   2009 – 2010 Youth Take Heart

   Extra Curricular Activities:
   2011 Success Club
   2011 ------- High Varsity Tennis
   2010 – 2011 Speech and Debate Club
   2010 ------ High Varsity Boys Soccer
   2010 -------- High Cross Country
   2010 Spanish Club
   2010 - 2011 Key Club
   2010 Drama Club
   2008 – 2010 Sun City Strikers RCL Div. 1 Premier Soccer
   Im now going into my senior year...so technically this is what they will be looking at...as my application to due Nov. 1st and we get notified Dec. 15.

   • ANSWER:

8. QUESTION:
   What to do if you know someone keeps a wolf in their backyard?
   My boyfriend and I just moved in with his mom (they don't get along at all, and we're just doing this to save up money), and she has a 20-year-old pure-bred gray wolf in her backyard. She bought the wolf from Washington, originally captured in Utah, 20 years ago. The wolf currently lives in a tiny 5 by 10 ft area in the basement, separated from the rest of the house with a wood gate, with a doggy door that leads to the tiny and completely destroyed backyard (by him, of course). He is being fed on a diet of vegetables and cooked chicken, and occasional dog food. She is completely crazy and thinks that he is happy as her pet, and that he loves her. She comes out to look at him occasionally, and feeds him, and that's it. He whimpers whenever anyone passes by his gate. And the saddest part is that he smells so badly! He has always smelled badly, according to my boyfriend, dragging in the smell of dirt and rain into the basement, but recently he's been getting what looks to be open sores on his body and so the entire house has recently started to have an unbearable stench of decaying flesh (no exaggeration). She is old and paranoid, and has lost her sense of smell, so she accuses us of lying when we complain about the smell. We've tried to persuade her to put him down humanely, given his current state and the fact that he never should have been a pet in the first place, but she won't listen. She has nothing and no one left in the world besides him, as she lives a lonely existence, either working or watching TV or playing Solitaire.

   I just can't take it anymore. It's absolutely inhumane and probably unethical to keep such a beautiful wild animal in a such a pathetic existence for over 20 years, to keep a pack animal with natural wolf instinct in a tiny space, where he can't see anyone or interact with anyone or anything. I feel so bad for him! And I'm really concerned about his sores. He is way too old, given that wolves in the wild live to 10 years at most. What should I do? Should I report him to Animal Humane Society, and have them come and put him down? Should I go to a vet and ask for some sort of a pill to put him down? Or should I just bear it, and try to live here as long as we can before going crazy? My conscience (and my sense of smell) is really getting to me! My boyfriend is up for anything I decide.

   Note: we both just graduated and are living with her to save up money so that we can go to graduate school next year. We can't afford to be kicked out, and we can't let her find out that we had anything to do with this. Thank you for your responses!
   By the way, my intention is only to help him, I don't want any charges pressed against her or anything. She is already living such a sad life as is. If I were to report her, would any charges be pressed for 20 years + of animal abuse?

   I am also not sure if they are sores. They smell horrible, and the site is dark brown, and we guess that it's dried blood because it's been there for months. We figure that if it was dirt (as she claims), it would have just been washed down with rain by now. We don't know, because like we said, no vet will see him and obviously he can't be showered or anything.

   • ANSWER: