Search and see photos of adoptable pets in the Baytown, Texas area Our Featured Baytown, TX Partner: A Life to Live We require everyone interested in adopting to submit an online adoption application. Our traditional adoption fee for non-sterilized puppies/kittens is $75.00. Our traditional adoption fee for sterilized dogs/cats is $100.00. We run adoption promotions all throughout the year, so the fee does vary at times. We also require all applicants to sign an adoption contract and spay/neuter contract, if the animal has not already been sterilized. Drake is a 11 pound adventerous, loving, one of a kind stud. He was born on 06/24/13 and i 6345 Garth Rd Suite 140We in animal rescue work often see the results of purchasing a cute puppy from a pet store or ad in the local paper. Though these decisions can work out well for the dog's health and a lifetime of devotion between dog and family, the new owner is frequently responding on emotions, especially during the holidays or because a child wants that puppy so much.

Despite the best of intentions on the part of the new owner, a few months later, possibly because the owner didn't do the necessary homework to understand the breed and the importance of knowing the breed standards, or because the dog was not carefully bred, the half-grown or mature dog, now perhaps with behavioral problems and health issues, may end up in a rescue program. To assist both the dogs we love and the families who frequently write us about purchasing Sheltie puppies, we offer these guidelines based on our experiences in years of rescue work with Shetland Sheepdogs. As rescuers know, and as exposed in recent Dateline episodes, most puppies you see at pet stores are from puppy mills where they were bred in deplorable conditions for profit only with no regard for either the breeder pairs or the puppies; or from non-professional private breeders who are not recognized by the national breed organizations and who aren't careful about their breeding programs; or from "backyard breeders"-- people who just want to breed their own dogs and may not understand the importance of genetic and health issues.

These puppies can be healthy, but they often are not because of where they've come from and the stress they've been through; some have Parvo or kennel cough contracted in the breeder's environment or in the pet store itself. Parvo is frequently fatal; Texas Heeler Puppies For Sale In OklahomaKennel Cough is not to be taken lightly: it is a disease that is mutating, becoming more severe, and in our experience often leading directly to pneumonia. Homes For Sale In The Cove Littleton CoWe've also seen an increase in distemper, heartworm disease, orthopedic, liver, heart, kidney, and other ailments in the dogs we have rescued from these breeding programs. Replacing A Moen Shower Diverter ValveThe result of indiscriminate dog breeding is that most dog breeds have been experiencing increased genetic, behavioral, and health problems;

and rescue groups are proliferating all over the country to save and rehabilitate these dogs when they are abandoned (see our Before and After page). Also, when you see ads in the papers for Sheltie puppies, understand that most of these are posted by breeders who are not sanctioned by the national breed organization, or by people who have puppies they are unable to work with, possibly because the pups have genetic and behavioral problems due to poor breeding. Of course, never buy a Sheltie puppy, or any animal, from people selling them on the roadside or at tent sales. Living creatures should never be sold like this, and when animals are available in such conditions, one should think carefully about the breeding issues we've raised in this document as well as the reasons why these people are doing so. We strongly advise that you purchase a Sheltie puppy from a professional breeder listed on the American Shetland Sheepdog site, from where you see the conditions the puppy was bred in and the parents of the litter.

Professional breeders always provide the puppy's full pedigree and health guarantees (including proof of x-rays of the parents' hips) in addition to AKC papers for that dog. These breeders hand-raise the puppies in a clean environment within their home so that they are healthy, friendly, confident, and affectionate; they further carefully advise about the breed, including both the assets and 'faults' of the puppies. They obviously know the breed and know what they're talking about, advising about feeding, training, breed standards, and what books to read. They also provide a health guarantee and will replace a puppy with severe health problems; they will want an ill puppy returned to their breeding program so they can further assess what problems have developed. Professional breeders care about their puppies, their breeding program, and the families who come to them. They do not want to contribute to any problems in their breed, and many work closely with rescue programs. Of course, as a rescue program, we feel that there are already too many dogs who need homes, and we advocate adopting them from rescue groups because they come to the new family with vaccination, spay/neuter, and health records;

plus they are wonderful dogs we have carefully trained and who are so grateful for their new homes. Based on their experiences with these marvelous Shelties, most of our own volunteers would only adopt from rescue from now on. But we understand the attraction of adorable Sheltie puppies: if we do not have puppies in the program when you are looking, and if you want to purchase a Sheltie puppy, first read books and Internet sites about the breed and about house training and obedience training (review our Adoption Tips Site); then consult the breeders listed with the American Shetland Sheepdog Association. Talk carefully with all family members about the care of the puppy, making sure that everyone in the family will be devoted to the dog. Though it is so tempting, never bring in a new puppy or even mature dog during the major holidays, which are generally too stressful for the dog already trying to adjust to a new environment. It's always best to purchase or adopt a puppy or dog well before or after holidays so that the family is focused on the puppy's/dog's well being and training without the distractions.

Finally, given everything else looking well for purchasing a puppy or adopting a rescued Sheltie, because they want their precious new companion to be with the family for many years, many of our applicants ask us about the average lifespan of the Shetland Sheepdog. Given the above breeding concerns, though no one can predict an individual dog's true lifespan, Shelties from a good breeding program and/or who have received good health care and lots of love after rescue live 12-15 years, some living longer. Here is a list of the breeder networks for Texas from the American Shetland Sheepdog Association site. If you want a referral to a reputable Sheltie breeder in Texas, please choose from among the following: Lockehill SheltiesMargaret LockeSpring Branch, TX830-885-7547 Dallas Shetland Sheepdog Club Cathi GormanSpringmist Shelties(972) 727-4713 Shoreline SSC of Baytown SSC of Greater Fort WorthWildwind SheltiesDiana CuellarVenus, TX972-366-8469 SSC of HoustonKismet SheltiesGuy MauldinRichmond, TX281-342-3623