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I adopted a dog, named Scotch at the time, a year ago. Now known throughout Boulder as Redford, my little white with caramel spots half-hound half-lab is cute, easy-going, friendly…a man’s best friend.

Still, I could’ve adopted an exact breed via one of a thousand web sites or puppy stores. So why didn’t I? Because something like 8 million dogs and cats are put to death, each year, because not enough folks choose to rescue. So if you’re looking for your next cat or dog (etc!), start with your local Humane Society or petfinder.com.

Via Ecorazzi: PETA SLAMS BIDEN FOR BUYING PUPPY FROM BREEDER

As expected, Joe Biden’s choice to buy a puppy from a breeder in Pennsylvania instead of resucing one from a shelter has drawn the attention of PETA. “By paying money to a dog breeder, the Bidens have in effect signed a death warrant for a loving dog at an animal shelter who would have been thrilled to go home with them,” says PETA Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “Mr. Biden ran for office on a promise of change, but he’s missed the boat by ignoring this country’s animal overpopulation crisis.”

In retaliation, PETA is airing its controversial “Buy One, Get One Killed” ad on TV stations serving the Wilmington area; Biden’s hometown. According to the press release, the ad lays the blame for the deaths of deserving “pound pups” ….

…Update: A new poll from CNN says that Americans agree the Obamas should rescue a pup from a shelter. “By a 2-to-1 margin…

Here’s the rest, via Ecorazzi. And here’s the ad!