> SOUTHERN INDIANA — After the recent Casey County dog hording bust, I was inspired to write this column in order to help people understand how they can help homeless animals in our community.

Puppy mills still exist, even after all the animal cruelty laws that have been passed. Oprah, “Nightline,” and others have tried their best to make the American public aware of this epidemic, but we just don’t seem to fully wrap our brains around it. Or, maybe it’s because people say "yeah, I get it, but I want a puppy or dog that hasn’t been damaged."

I can understand this sentiment; people have small children or their elderly grandparents living with them and they don’t want anyone to get hurt.

But let me give it to you straight . . .

As I went to pick up a dog from the pound recently, I passed a few "legally practicing" puppy mills and they were not farms (as described on the news coverage and on websites like the HSUS). Both houses were brick ranches on a half-acre with the entire backyard fenced-in. Within the fenced perimeter were lots of tiny fenced-in areas sectioned off that contained curved metal window wells turned on their side to provide shelter for the dogs. There was not one shade tree covering the area and that metal can must have gotten pretty hot in the 100-degree weather we’ve had lately. Set out a water bowl at 8 a.m. and then go stick your finger in it at noon — it’s not especially refreshing.

Dogs from these extreme conditions — as well as the uncontrolled multi-dog setting — come out more emotionally damaged than one you get from a rescue. I know. I’ve had to rehabilitate them — it is hard work. Please note that the high-end breeders which you find in the show dog circuit think of their pups as their grandchildren. Never would they treat their dogs and puppies like this. The Louisville Kennel Club is a fantastic organization who offers support to the dog community.

I started my own dog rescue in May. I single-handedly convinced Walmart.oodle.com to take their pet classifieds site down, once I opened their eyes to what they were perpetuating. Horrified, they yanked the site in one business day. Glorious.

I can take a dog (puppy mill breeder, feral, shy, scared, depressed or angry) and bring it into my home and teach it how to relax. I get it on a feeding and potty schedule (that will fit yours), show it how to play, train it to sit and walk well on a leash, and coax it into curling into the security of a fluffy dog bed.

Some dogs are afraid to cross the threshold of my back door, but with the help of my ambassador dogs, I get my fosters over that fear as well. Good food is the start of a new, thick and shiny coat as well as strong muscle from high quality protein. Thanks to the vets at Shively Animal Clinic, I can get a dog’s luxating patella repaired (something that would have been passed on to a puppy purchaser without a shred of guilt on the miller’s part). Overall, I can provide a healthier, stable, and properly assessed dog to the public because it has lived in my home with me. Not out in a pen with very little contact from humans.

I am not the only rescue that throws their heart and soul into the animals taken in off the streets or dumped at the pound. There are so many other hard-working rescues that I couldn’t begin to list them all.

After talking with the people at Petfinder.com, I was amazed to hear that four million people a month find out about Petfinder.com. Wow. So, I wanted to make sure the readers in this area know about this fantastic website and how to use it, so you can adopt from the fantastic rescues in our area.

When you go to Petfinder.com, you can search by zip code, you can search by species, then breed, and then you can narrow it down to age, gender, etc. If you are a mutt lover, you can search for a mutt mixed with whatever you want. The variety is endless. Rescues and shelters are starting to post videos so you can see the dog in action (but keep in mind these dogs are sometimes in a facility that makes them nervous — there’s a lot of commotion going on and the dog may be used to the serenity of a home, not to mention they have no idea why they were abandoned and are trying to get their bearings).

Do not hesitate to contact that rescue directly via phone or e-mail and tell them what you’re looking for. Chances are good that they have a dog that would match perfectly, but they haven’t had a chance to post it online. With all the foreclosures, rescues are absolutely swamped and their administration time is limited.

If you see a pet at a shelter you might like, go down there and walk the dog. If you like the dog but aren’t sure if it’s "the one," it doesn’t hurt to offer to foster the dog for the shelter or rescue — everyone is so full right now that your offer could make the rescue volunteer tear up.

If you choose to keep the dog, that’s great. If you decide the dog isn’t for you, foster it for a month or so until it gets adopted out — you have made a huge difference in that dog’s life as well as the family that adopts it. It’s a great feeling.

A special note to those who have lost a pet to old age or disease: there is nothing harder than a dog owner making that tough decision for their best friend. I believe the wonderful little dog whose loss has broken your heart will send along a dog to help you heal. The next dog is waiting for you, to make you smile and love you, to be the next chapter of fun and joy in your book of life. Don’t write it off for good. Your little buddy would want you laughing again. As I always remind myself, "This dog was old or sick and it’s tragic to see them go. It’s even more tragic that there’s another young dog just starting out in life somewhere exactly like this little dog and it’s getting put down because of space issues." (Visit nokill-louisville.com).

If you can’t own a dog or foster a dog, transporting is another way to help get the dogs in danger of euthanization moved to rescues around the country that have room for them. You'll be going up and down Interstate 65 or I-71 or back and forth on I-64. The transports usually happen on Saturday and Sunday and will take a couple hours out of your day and you will meet some fantastic, selfless people. Who knew this much transporting was going on around the country?

It’s an awesome thing to be a part of a transport chain. Visit No-Kill Louisville’s website for more information. They are an incredible group of people.

We can fix this situation for our furry friends. A dog or cat or bunny or pig (they’re in need of rescue too) is waiting for you.

Howard is president of Piece Of My Heart Rescue in Floyds Knobs