ASPCA : Thinking of Getting a Puppy This Holiday Season? Watch This Video First

Thinking of Getting a Puppy This Holiday Season? Watch This Video First

It’s the picture-perfect scene: Sweet little Suzy, just turned three, toddles downstairs to find a new puppy with a big red bow. And with the latest charismatic canine movies—Beverly Hills Chihuahua and Marley & Me—hitting the big screen, purebred Chihuahuas and Labrador retrievers are bound to be on kids’ lists this holiday season.

Unfortunately, while the giver may have the best intentions, that cute little pooch most likely came from a substandard commercial breeding operation, commonly known as a puppy mill. And with the holiday season upon us, puppy scammers are on the prowl, hoping to lure shoppers with endearing photos and phony promises.

If you’re thinking of surprising the family with a new pet for the holidays, we’re all for it—if you do it the right way! To help you out, ASPCA President Ed Sayres and Officer Annemarie Lucas, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement’s Supervisory Special Investigator, have prepared a special video message with tips for determining if a pet really is the best gift—and if so, where to find your furry bundle of joy. (Here’s a not-so-subtle hint: your local shelter or rescue group!)

P.S. Know someone who’s planning to give a pup as a present? Please ask them to watch the video, too!