Category: ADOPT PKGE

Puppy Hold: All Of WTL’s Pug litters have a Tentative final adoption release date from birth, which is what we post on our web site as well as what we provide our pre-adoptive parents in pre-adoption contractual commitments…/ This is all based mostly on the pups original birth weight, minimum of a 4 pound adoption departure weight, adequate completion of the weaning process, completion of all standard Vetting procedures, weather forecast for adoption trip travel purposes, etc…/  The minimum age that we will release a pup for take home adoption is (63 days or 9 weeks post whelping)…/ The average is usually appx. 10 weeks… Normally sometime between the 6th – 8th week post whelping, we can make a final determination as to whether a 9th or 10th week date would be practical or whether it may have to be postponed, for how long, & for what reason…/ Once we do actually Finalize an adoption release date, (which for mutual convenience will normally be on a weekend), it will be posted on our web site and all contracted PAO’s will be notified in order that adoption pick ups can be arranged to be within 10 days of the announcement date…/ An additional 7 day grace period will be allowed for acceptable reasonable cause…/ Should the PAO not manage the adoption pick up by this date for whatever unacceptable reason, then the ownership & boarding responsibilities of the pup will now be that of the PAO and any remaining balance that is due under the original adoption agreement must be remitted electronically within (24) hours…/ Should Walk The Line and the PAO mutually agree to any other alternative date (case specific, and obviously unexpected short term emergencies are acceptable), then the new agreed to date will govern…/ If a new adoption date cannot be mutually agreed to then the original Final adoption release dates as described above will stand and the PAO’s ownership responsibilities and WTL’s boarding fees will begin…/

From this point forward, due to the liability that WTL is now under to care for the PAO’s Pup and all of the associated costs of general & health care, food, bedding, laundry, socialism, labor, etc…/ Walk The Line charges a $25 per day fee for this service…/ Included is our complete 24/7 constantly & safely monitored care, WTL’s current chosen Age Appropriate Pug Chow, fresh water of course, weather monitored daily exercise & socialism, private bed/crate area which is always kept properly clean, on premise Very well trained General Pug Health Care & well learned private Veterinary care, etc…/ In the event of a Veterinary Emergency, WTL will act in whatever fashion that we feel is necessary in order to get the Pug to a case appropriate Veterinary Medical Center ASAP, which is of course based on the nature of the emergency…/ The Pug owners will be responsible for reimbursing WTL for any emergency Vetting fee within (24-48) hours after occurrence…/ Any ongoing Vetting fees shall also be the responsibility of the PAO to handle directly with the Vetting Center that is involved or at your own Vetting Center, case specific…/ All above such accumulated boarding costs must be made sometime prior to the actual adoption date electronically or on the actual adoption pick up date via cash…/

Walk The Line will also hold a Pug pup for a reasonable amount of predetermined time after the litters scheduled final adoption release date, in order to best enable the new Adoptive Parents to be properly prepared for the Pugs arrival…/ Time extension examples are: home renovations, vacations, surprise Pug present special arrival date, transportation problems, time for scheduling off of work, inclement weather, etc… However, the associated liability & boarding costs will be the same as are described above…/

DISCLAIMER: Walk The Line has our own very well learned & privately practiced non licensed basic Veterinary care on premise at most all times…/ We can only provide this care to our own Pugs and as a courtesy to our PAO’s already contracted for Pugs that are still boarding with us, for free of charge…/ Subsequently, WTL shall be held harmless and without consequence of any potential resulting liability whatsoever…/ WTL is extremely well trained in Pug Health care and a large portion of our Farmstead indoors & outdoors environment has been specifically & appropriately well built & safe as a proper Pug safe well socialized environment, however, accidents can & still do happen! 

Should You Microchip Your Small Breed Dog?

 Should You Microchip Your Small Breed Dog?

 

For every happy homecoming tale of a microchipped dog, there is another person advising of the dangers to their dog’s health because of the chip.    What is a new dog owner to do? 

There are many happy stories of dogs who get lost, run away or get separated from their owners to find their way back home because the owner took the time to microchip. Most veterinarians recommend them and virtually all rescue organizations and human societies implant them in a dog who is being adopted. 

Unfortunately, only implanting a dog or puppy with a microchip is not going to save his life and, in fact, there are some sad cases where the dog was microchipped, but still euthanized by animal shelters without the knowledge of the dog’s owner.  A microchip will not bring a stolen puppy back to his owner.  This is not a panacea for the happy return of all lost or stolen dogs.

Dogs are not the only animals being microchipped.  Cats, Zoo Animals, birds, reptiles, ferrets, and just about any animal can be implanted even fish. 

What is the Law?

There are many countries that are now making it law that dogs be microchipped.   Currently dog are required to be microchipped in Portugal, Singapore, and Bangkok and dogs in England will be required by 2016.  

Some states in the U.S. are moving towards a mandatory law as well; some such as El Paso and Los Angeles County, have already passed ordinances stating that dogs residing in their jurisdictions be microchipped.

What it is

At a size equal to a grain of rice, Microchips are injected under the skin of a puppy or adult dog between his shoulder blades.  They use what is called, passive Radio Frequency Identification technology, where passive means that the chip is inactive or inert until an appropriate scanner activates it and displays a number.  It is not a GPS and cannot be used to locate a lost animal.

How is it implanted?

 

Most veterinarians and animal shelters are capable of implanting these tiny chips, as well as rescue organizations and some breeders.

Although the needle is larger than one used for vaccines, the shot usually does not bother most dogs.  Puppies that are 6 weeks or older can be microchipped, but small dogs are usually too small to chip at that age.  The American Kennel Club recommends that the puppy weigh least 2 pounds before being implanted.

Chips are implanted between the shoulder blades just under the skin.   People worry about whether there will be pain. 

Most dogs tolerate the injection, but since the size of the needle is very large, (12 gauge) the dog is going to feel the prick more so than he would a simple vaccination with a tiny needle (25 gauge).  Needles are numbered where the higher the number, the smaller the needle.  No anesthesia is necessary, but some veterinarians will give the dog a little local numbing to reduce the stress.  Luckily, they generally last a life time, so it is a one-time deal.

The veterinarian or technician will scan the dog first to be sure there isn?t already a chip implanted.  They will check the bar code on the microchip, inject it into the animal just as if it were a vaccine or subcutaneous shot and then recheck to be sure the number can be read by a scanner. 

Registering

Once inserted, you will need to register your chip.  Each microchip comes with registration paperwork that can be mailed in or completed online.  There is usually a fee, and you will need to renew your information should you move or the animal is transferred to a new owner.  An inserted microchip is useless unless the owner registers with one of many agencies designed to collect the owner?s information and microchip number.

Costs

According to Petfinder.com, the average price to microchip a dog in the United States is $45.00; however, this is only an estimate depending on where you live and who is implanting the chip.  Sometimes, humane society or even a breeder can do the procedure for less. Some municipalities that offer low cost vaccines may throw in free microchips, so it is worth watching for these events in your community.   This upfront cost may or may not cover the cost to register the microchip.  Registration fees are usually separate and paid to the chip?s manufacturer. 

When owners decide whether they are going to have their animals? microchipped, they must understand that it is a two-step process.  First, the cost to implant a chip, usually performed by a veterinarian, and then the cost to register the chip, which is often the task given to the owner.  Sometimes, the veterinarian will charge a flat fee and take care of registering the chip.  If money is an issue, ask about costs before continuing with the procedure.

There are some companies that are now allowing people to register their animal for free.  Found Animals Foundation is one such registry that will allow you to sign up, register and maintain your records for free. 

 Problems

Microchips come in three different frequencies.  The frequency of a microchip refers to the type of signal emitted by a scanner to activate and read the microchip.  The microchip does not have a power source and can only be read by a scanner capable of picking up the chip?s frequency.  So, the person or agency reading the microchip must have the correct scanner.

The three microchip frequencies in the United States are:

• 125 kHz
• 128 kHz
• 134.2 kHz

The 134.2 kHz is the International Standards Organization (or ISO) standard and is the primary frequency used worldwide. It is also the one that has been endorsed by Professional groups including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, and the National Standards Institute (ANSI).  The 125 kHz microchip is still dominates the industry.

Problem with Scanners

There are currently several types of scanners currently in use which also complicates the picture in the U.S. Forward-reading scanners only detect 134.2 kHz (ISO standard) microchips but will not detect 125 kHz or 128 kHz (non-ISO standard) microchips. Universal scanners, also called forward- and backward-reading scanners, identify all microchip frequencies. The main advantage of using a universal scanner is that it improves the chance of being able to read any microchip, regardless of the frequency and the chip?s manufacturer. 

Unfortunately, not all humane societies, rescues and animal shelters or veterinarians own a universal scanner.

Poor scanning techniques may also fail to locate a microchip.  There have also been instances where the microchip migrated away from the insertion site and was not found by the humane society personnel. 

Now, let?s assume you have microchipped your dog, and he gets lost.  A kind person finds him and takes him to his local vet.  The veterinarian scans for and finds a microchip.  Now what?

No Universal Database

At this time, there is not one database in the U.S. for registering microchips.   Unlike many countries, the U.S. has not adopted the ISO standard, so each microchip company maintains its own registry and there are many companies out there competing for your business.

In 2009, the American Animal Hospital Association set up an internet based tool, the Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool which provides a listing of the manufacturer with which the microchip’s code is associated as well as if the chip information is found in participating registries.

The key word here is “participating” meaning that not all microchip companies elect to participate in the program.  It is available to anyone: veterinarians, humane organization, or pet owner to search the different registries.  The tool does not provide owner information. For that information, the person using the tool will need to contact the manufacturer associated with the chip. 

There are a few free databases that are not directly associated with a specific manufacturer, but many of these agencies are still available in the Universal Lookup Tool

Health Risk to Your Dog

Usually there are no problems associated with microchipping a pet.  However, there have been some reports of microchips causing cancer, inflammation and problems at the site of insertion.  Relatively rare, dog owners should be aware that microchipping their dog is not completely risk free.

According to Dr. Karen Becker from Mercola, there have been two cases of sarcoma or fibrosarcoma have been reported in the veterinary literature.  Additionally, between 1996 and 2006, up to 10% of laboratory mice and rats had a reaction to the microchip which ranged from a localized inflammation to tumor formation.  At this time, there is not a clear understanding as to why cancer is occurring in lab mice rats and dogs. 

In the January/February 2011 issue of Dogs Naturally magazine, a tiny 6 week old Tibetan terrier suffered neurological damage as a result of a microchip.

In another case, a three-year-old female Yorkshire terrier, who had been microchipped 3 years prior, developed severe lameness and could not bear weight on her front left leg.  The muscles in her leg were wasting away, and a x-ray revealed that the implanted chip had lodged in her spinal column.

Should You Microchip Your Dog?

The real reason people microchip their dog is the peace of mind knowing that if he gets lost, he has a higher chance of being reunited with you.  There are definite risks, and no system is fool proof.

Before making a decision, consider your own dog? 

• Does your dog spend most of his time in your home?
• Is he only allowed out on a leash or within a securely fenced area?  Do you supervise all outdoor time?
• Does he come immediately when called?
• Has he been trained to Wait at the door rather than bolting out the minute the door opens?
• Do you live in an area where  implantation is not required by law?

If you answered yes to all of the above, perhaps your dog does not need a microchip.

But, if your dog does not consistently come when you call, gets loose from his collar, darts away each time a squirrel climbs a tree, or bolts out the front door at any chance he gets, he might be a good candidate. 

Additionally if you travel regularly with your dog, it might be a good idea, especially if your travel plans include visits to countries where microchips are required.

The best advice is buyer beware.  Do your research before making any final decision and as a small dog owner, be sure your puppy is big enough to handle implantation and understand the risks.

http://www.smalldogplace.com/microchip.html

{RESPONSIBLE PUG OWNERSHIP}

WALK THE LINE PUG RANCH

Before making a final decision towards Pug ownership, please think things through to conclusion and also make sure that all of your homes occupants are in accord with the new addition. Becoming the adoptive parent of a Pug, which is one of the most loving, affectionate, playful, intelligent, Human Companions, can be a wonderful and exciting addition to your family, IF YOU ARE PROPERLY EDUCATED AND PREPARED. Without going into great explanation, being the owner/caretaker of a Pug is much the same as having a baby. A Pug can bring a life time of love and joy into a home, if the environment is adequate and the adoptive parent/s are mentally, physically, and financially prepared. First of all, is a Pug the right Breed for you? To help you better answer this question, please click on the tab in our browser labeled “The Pug Breed”. Secondly, but above all else, the adoptive parents must have at least a basic knowledge of proper Pug health care and maintenance and/or be prepared to learn. But don’t worry, Walk The Line will assist you. WTL will provide a healthy quality well bred Pug and more than adequate Pug health care information, guidance, and support, but you must take the time to benefit from it! The rest is up to you! You must first have an adequate home/habitat, and then the ample time and financial ability to train, socialize with, and properly provide all of the neccesary medical and all other general maintenance and related neccessities that a Pug requires. If, and only if you think and can adequately show that you are prepared for this, Walk The Line will be happy to help you select that very special mutually appropriate Pug. We will also assist you every step of the way with any Pug health care or other general Pug related concerns that arise along the way, throughout the hopefully long, happy, and healthy life of our Pug.               

Furthermore, before making your now else wise well thought out and prepared decision, also look into your Pug source, at least a little further past question number one, “what is the price of your Pugs?” Look into not only their price but more importantly what are you getting? Does the Breeder have a specific “Breeding Method” & if so what is it? What quality of a healthy well bred Pug are you being provided; What inoculations and other health care has the Pug been provided; What is the breeder’s reputation; What is the breeder’s background, knowledge, and experience; What health care information and support pre and post adoption is provided by the breeder; What health guarantee if any is being provided by the breeder; What are the breeder’s responsibilities if for what ever reason that you are not able to fulfill your whole duty as a responsible Pug owner; etc., etc., etc. If you compare all of these factors, you will find that Walk The Line’s Pug adoption fees are not only moderately priced, but much more importantly, you will find that Walk The Line is amongst the most responsible Pug Breeders and the best!

.Lastly your decision to adopt a Pug should be a properly family contemplated, and considered to be Pug/life long decision! Please do not make any irresponsible hasty decision based solely on dollar amount, fancies, friendships, abrupt sentimental replacements, minor geographical inconvenience,  and/or any other urgent or frivolous reasons. These reasons most often only add to our Countries over population of homeless pets and further increases to the already over burdened efforts of our Homeless and Pet Shelter Associations. We thoroughly recognize and financially support our animal shelters as being an invaluable resource in the rescuing of and sheltering of homeless pets all accross our Country.

WALK THE LINE

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