Updates, adoptions, and LABS!
The dogs pictured here are just a few of the numerous labs
and lab
mixes BDAR has rescued in the last month alone
August 28, 2009 - We usually try to post a new story and some updates at least once a month. However, this summer has been so busy, and fun, and successful that we’ve managed to get ourselves pretty backed up on some of our housekeeping. So, this article is intended to update you on the last two month’s worth of activity, as well as 
provide some education on a very serious issue.
First, we are very proud and excited to report that all 7 of the puppies rescued from Torrington in June’s article were successfully placed into loving homes! Amazingly
enough, none of the puppies went to a home here in Cheyenne; in fact, all but one found their new lives in Colorado. We really would enjoy doing more local adoptions, but we haven’t quite figured out how to get the Cheyenne community to see our advertising. Anyway, the puppies were fun, and noisy, and smelly! But we are very glad they’ve all gone on to live happy lives. Some donation money was collected for their care, and we are very grateful to those people who generously donated to help cover puppy costs.
It seems the word has gotten around some though, as BDAR has adopted nearly 40 dogs this summer! Compared to last year, where we adopted 42 dogs in 12 months, this is a huge achievement for us. We chalk this success up to the fact that people believe in the No-Kill solution and are happy to finally see it come to our community. Add to that the fact that our dogs live at home as part of the family until they are adopted and are therefore less stressed, completely or nearly housebroken, and crate trained – our return rates are much, much less than a traditional shelter. We usually have a very good understanding of the personalities of the dogs in our care and can easily tell you what they like and don’t, and what you can expect from them.
Another major milestone we passed recently is the 100 dogs saved mark!! Keep in mind that every dog under our care was facing imminent threat of euthanasia in another shelter. These are the dogs that are “unadoptable” – too stressed out to show their potential 
inside a dark, cramped kennel or too big, too dark, too old. The reality is this: most dogs are in shelters because of no fault of their own. They are not sick, or deformed, vicious, or dirty. They don’t have anymore problem behaviors than any other dog whose owner’s have spent zero time training them. The dogs at BDAR are lucky, most of the ones we are asked to take are not. There is only one solution to this problem, and that is spaying or neutering your pets – every pet, every time.
This sentiment brings me to the final topic for this article. You may have noticed that we have a preponderance of labs in our care. You’ve probably been to the shelter and seen the numerous labs there. We are asked, several times per week, “Do you only rescue labs?” The answer to this question is no. However, the gross overpopulation of labs in this area means that the shelters are overrun with them, mixes and purebreds alike. The root of this problem is, again, over- and irresponsible- breeding. It is very, very easy to get a purebred lab. Just look in our local paper, in the Trader’s, on craigslist. Every week there are more litters of purebred lab puppies. Labs have large litters, often 8-12 puppies at a time Breeders do not spay and neuter their puppies before they sell them, and an atrocious cycle of breeding and dying continues every day.
The Labrador retriever is a great dog. He is loyal, steadfast, intelligent, and even tempered. However, he is also a dog who is slow to mature, very high energy, and who grows into a large animal. Labs between the ages of 4 months and 3 years are surrendered by the hundreds of thousands to shelters every year. And they do not get adopted there. Labs bond tightly to their people; they need regular exercise and affection. Shelters are stressful, crowded, noisy places, and the overabundant lab does not do well in them. There are so many of them that they do stand out, and the darker dogs fare even worse as their eyes are often hard to see inside a kennel. The Humane Society of the U.S. calls this the “Black Dog Syndrome” and you can read about it on the Black Pearl Dogs web site, a link to which is provided under the links section of our web site.
So yes, we have a lot of labs. We do not, however, favor the breed over any other. We stick to our mission of helping those dogs who are most at need. So, if you are one of those great people or families who are looking to add that very popular lab to your home, please, look for one in the shelter. They are always there. And yes, there are always puppies in the paper, but consider that its likely you can find a great dog less then 2 years old right around the corner. Puppies are cute, but it’s the adult dog that you’ll have to care for for years. If you can’t find the dog that you’re looking for here, contact us because we have lots of resources for those looking to rescue an animal and not support breeding.
On a lighter note, we are also happy to report that BDAR has recently incorporated and is now officially recognized by the State of Wyoming as a licensed non-profit organization. Our adoptions are up, but so are our costs. In order to keep up with our life-saving mission; and to further our short and long-term goals, we are still in need of your support. We are strong believers in the power of positive thought, so we know that we will succeed, that thousands of lives are going to be saved, and that we will successfully educate our community about the efficacy of No-Kill, responsible pet ownership, and numerous other animal-related topics. But we need your help. We need you to visualize our success, to believe it with us, and to support us when and how you can. BDAR is looking for more volunteers – we need a dedicated individual to help us implement a monthly newsletter, more foster homes, and of course, more money. When all you have to do is send positive thoughts and energy our way, there is no reason that you all can’t lend a helping hand. Thank you!