This holiday season, we’re especially pleased to bring you news of yet another financial award given by the Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation, this time to an inspirational organization of animal rescuers in Pennsylvania. First, though, we offer an important end-of-year message, which also provides context to illustrate the importance of this rescue’s work.

Many Americans decide to celebrate the holiday season by adopting a companion animal. And, who can blame them? Few would deny the happiness that comes from hearing the pitter-patter of tiny, furry feet through the house, or the genuine emotion of being on the receiving end of adoring gazes from puppies and kittens.

It probably comes as no surprise that holiday adoptions are often decided on the spur of the moment. Pet stores are well aware of this … they cater to our expectations for convenience and are commonly located no further than the local strip mall. While the proverbial “doggie in the window” may tug at the heartstrings, many potential adopters fail to realize that often the creatures offered by these businesses import their dogs and cats from “pet mills”.

Popular in the rural communities of Pennsylvania and a handful of other states, pet mills are a multi-million dollar enterprise. They are not just breeding grounds devoid of comforts, they are known for infestations, untreated infections, routine physical abuse and broken bones (and spirits to match). Pitiable dogs lead monotonous lives of desperation, locked away in cramped cages, enduring the harsh treatment at the hands of their tormentors. The females are repeatedly impregnated, sometimes only days after birthing a litter, and males who aren’t sold at a profit are often killed.

Fortunately, somebody is doing something about this.

Based in Lancaster, PA, A Tail to Tell (ATTT), in tandem with other rescue groups, assists in extracting unwanted and retired survivors of puppy mills in the Northeastern U.S.

In fact, ATTT was founded by members who trained while working at the well-known Puppy Mill Rescue, an organization recognized for their pioneering work in fighting against the rising tide of puppy mills. Not only do these two groups share similar guidelines for rescuing and adopting out rescues, both share a deep and abiding passion for saving canines from the harsh conditions that characterize most mills.

Upon intake, each dog is handled with the utmost care, receiving a comprehensive medical assessment and all necessary treatments. In addition to bloodwork, vaccines, heartworm tests and dental exams, each canine undergoes an alteration procedure – for many females, spaying ends years of repeated pregnancies during their captivity.

In 2004, their first year of operation, ATTT saved the lives of 63 dogs. Thus far, their commitment has yielded stunning results, increasing the number saved last year to 569 canines! According to a recent estimate, they expect to beat that number this year.

Their mission of making the world a better place for these pups isn’t just something they say, it’s what they do. Right now, they’re converting a former pet mill into a rehabilitation and foster care center. ATTT plans to install new (and comfortable) kennels in the near future, to signficantly increase their intake and management capacities.

According to ATTT’s founder, Cindy Myers, our financial contribution was utilized for a recent emergency situation. A couple of months ago, she received a call regarding ten dogs who were in desperate straights … in fact, all of the dogs were “in starvation mode” and were suffering from roundworm, hookworm and whipworm infections. With the assistance of three veterinarians working simultaneously, the canines were treated for a wide range of medical traumas, from broken bones to multiple tumors.

Two of the dogs were so malnourished that they could not undergo veterinary care. Christened as Ava Gardner and Maryann by their rescuers, the pair was successfully nursed back to health over the course of several weeks by the ATTT team.

Ava and Maryann, poster furr-kids for everything that’s wrong with puppy mills.

While the other eight pups are now living in their new adoptive homes, Ava and Maryann are still recovering from their ordeal, which necessitated surgeries and extensive medical care. According to Myers, these canines “never walked on grass, drank or ate from a bowl, played with a toy or had a bed to call their own”, and were “literally just a few days from dying” at the time of their rescue. Myers added that ATTT will never forget our foundation’s grant for two reasons …

“One, Life's Abundance food got Ava and Maryann healthy and on their feet. And, two, Life's Abundance grant money enabled us to provide these two wonderful dogs with the veterinary care they so desperately needed to go on to run and play like every dog should. We cannot thank you enough. We love your products and now we love your hearts and your generosity.”

In light of the their indefatigable commitment to creating happily-ever-after stories for these ten dogs, and the hundreds of dogs before them, awarding ATTT this financial grant was our incredible holiday pleasure. On behalf of all of the creatures who now lead lives of happiness thanks to their good works, we offer A Tail to Tell our genuine thanks.

We urge to share this post with friends and family, especially if you have reason to think that they’ll be considering adding a four-footer to their family this holiday season. There are literally millions of dogs and cats living in limbo, waiting for the day their new pet parents will welcome them into caring, forever homes. Adopting from a local shelter - especially if having a purebred isn't at the top of your list - is definitely a meaningful way to celebrate this season of charity and hope ... you'll be giving solace and comfort to one of these angels in need. Even if only one person chooses to adopt from a shelter this December, rather than a pet shop in partnership with a pet mill, we’ll have made progress. That being said, to make a real impact, we’re hoping that a small percentage of our readers will heed this message … with tens of thousands of subscribers, we could influence a substantial number of people. It’s easy to see how by working together, we can make a big difference!

This holiday season, we want all of our customers and individual donors to know that you made this financial award possible. Each one of you directly helped us to help A Tail to Tell to make the world a better place for companion animals. In fact, every time a Life’s Abundance order is placed, a portion of the profits is contributed to our foundation, which in turn provides funding to small American rescues just like ATTT.

During this season of giving, any additional support you could show our foundation would be greatly appreciated. To put a little something extra in our foundation’s stocking, make a contribution when placing an order online or by sending a check directly to Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation, Inc. at P.O. Box 1425, Palm City, FL 34991. Even if you can only spare a dollar or two, you’ll still be helping deserving pet-rescue organizations, which are on the front lines of the fight to reduce and eliminate pet abandonment, neglect and abuse in America.

Happy holidays from all of us here at Life’s Abundance!