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Diamond, chained outside year round, forced to breed, but was saved by DDB
In addition to the widespread problem of pet homelessness in virtually every county in the country, there is another problem involving dogs that most times goes unnoticed. Sadly, many dogs are chained outside, some 24/7 in extreme heat and in the bitter cold, all day every day. Most times these dogs do not receive veterinary care and some are used as guard dogs, but none are considered to be cared for as pets. Fortunately, an organization called Dogs Deserve Better (DDB) is trying to help.
DDB was founded by Tamira Thayne in 2002 and has helped thousands of dogs living on chains ever since. DDB is a voice for chained and penned dogs, whose sadness speaks only through the eyes. As the days become years, many of these dogs sit, lay, eat, and defecate within the same 10-foot radius. Chained by the neck, they exist without respect, love, exercise, social interaction, and sometimes even basic nourishment. They live as prisoners, yet long to be pets.
Sadly laws in many states are not strict enough against chaining, and unfortunately sometimes animal control and local humane agencies are either too busy or sometimes don’t care to help these animals. Many times the laws are such that there is little they can do, but this is changing. Recently, California and Texas passed stricter laws and hopefully soon Pennsylvania will have better laws as well.
DDB reps around the country attempt to peacefully reason with people and make them aware of the dangers of chaining a dog all hours of the day. They offer to help in ways such as fostering, helping to purchase crates for housetraining, and offering their help in other ways as well. Chaining a dog 24/7 can be dangerous not only to the dog, but to the community as well since these dogs can eventually become territorial.
DDB has received numerous awards including Honorable mention for the Genesis awards for the Humane Society of the United States, runner up for Global People’s choice awards, First place winner of the ASPCA/Chase Pet Protector award, and ePhilanthropy Award Finalist.
What You Can Do
- Go to the Dogs Deserve Better website and consider being a DDB rep or donating.
- Spread the word and if you see a chained dog, report it.
- Consider adopting or fostering a dog from DDB.
- Adopt from rescues or shelters and not breeders or pet stores. Don't contibute to the pet homelessness problem. Thousands of healthy, adoptable animals in shelters die every day due to overcrowding.
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