What's in a Name?

Last week, I was fortunate enough to be able to rescue and find the home of a very sweet, very old gray poodle. When I picked him up, he was walking (not running) down a very busy street, was slightly bowlegged, and once I was able to see his face, noticed that he had cataracts and probably couldn't see very well. He also was not wearing a collar and had no tags.

Thankfully, I was able to drive around the neighborhood and knock on doors until I found his home, with an equally old, very nice man who had accidentally left his gate open. Apparently, this little poodle is more than 15 years old and has arthritis. He likely would never have found his way back home (especially since he was headed in the wrong direction when I picked him up) and he likely would have been hit by a car that he wasn't able to see.

The most important aspect of this story is how much easier and less stressful for this old dog this whole process would have been if he had been wearing a collar with tags. Even just a tag with a phone number would have eliminated hours of effort spent knocking on doors and driving around showing this dog to different people. If I hadn't been able to find his home, it may have been very hard to find this loveable old dog a home if he had ended up at the shelter.

PLEASE put some kind of collar and identification tag on your pet! Pets are sneaky creatures who regularly learn to open doors, dig holes under the fence, and squeeze through impossible places to get loose. No matter how careful an owner you are, accidents do happen and pets do end up walking along busy roads trying to find home.

Tags are available at most major stores, including WALMART, pet stores, and online. They're available in a wide array of colors, styles, and scripts, but these tags are SO important for the safety of your pet.

Unfortunately, this reminder is coming too late for some dogs, like the ones below. They were found as strays or brought into the SPCA and brought to the Peninsula SPCA looking for their new homes with responsible pet owners who will keep collars and tags on these animals and will do their best to never allow them to get permanently lost again. Please come visit these animals and give them a better home!

Alfonso is a 3-year old Terrier/Pit Bull Mix who loves to give doggie kisses! He's a big red dog with a big heart just looking for someone to love!












Hops is a 2-year old Plott Hound who just loves to run and play! He would do well with an active person who loves having company on runs, walks, bike rides, or who just likes to play fetch!













Please come visit our wonderful animals today!