When I had to put down Lentil, the miniature yorkie that we believe was a puppy mill mom who had outlived her usefulness, I decided to volunteer with the SPCA. That organization does not destroy animals like the City Shelter does, but will keep and work with an animal until it is adopted. You can volunteer to foster animals in your home, or if your city has limitations on the number you can have, you can work with the animals at the shelter to help them better fit into a new home.

We have our limit of critters with our daughter, the Llaso Apso, Peaches; the garage sale rescue mixed shephard, Chelsea; the rescue adoptee boxer, Goofus; the flea market gem, Samson, a 3 pound mix pomeranian/yorkie; and the SPCA adoptee cat, Aggie. Goofus and Samson think they are the same size, and play together all the time. Peaches is spoiled, and Chelsea keeps everyone in line. It's a fun household!