WPCNR HIGHLANDS OBSERVER.  December 22, 2003: Are you thinking of getting a puppy or a dog for your family for Christmas? Before you go to that pet shop, or answer that ad and choose to pay $1,000 to $1,200 for a puppy, WPCNR suggests you call Candyce Corcoran, local representative for Small Paws Rescue a national organization of some 5,000 persons, dedicated to finding homes for dogs down on their luck, who have none, mostly those lovable, cuddly bichon frise characters. When Small Paws learns of a dog about to be destroyed by pounds or mills because they have been abandoned or sold at auction, or outlived their breeding cycle, they dispatch one of their members to “whisk” the dog from harm and find them a home.

They have dogs now that you can own, with all veterinary fees, shots, and examinations paid for, for little more than $150 or less within days. About twenty members of Small Paws Rescue met this month at Ms. Corcoran’s home in the Highlands in a mini-regional convention, and we learned first hand of the horror of the pet shop industry which sell bichons, a popular showdog breed, for up to $1,200.

Robin Pressnall, Executive Director of Small Paws Rescue, told WPCNR she first became  aware of the puppy mill industry in Missouri when she was looking for a pet. She visited a farm and saw the absolute horror that existed. Dogs being kept in small cages, without human contact, whose only experience in life was to breed, one litter after another to feed the pet shop industry of America.  Then sold off at auction when they were no longer fertile. She was so horrified by this that she set out to tell the secret story of how the pet industry exploits animals to feed on the public love of puppies. For information on dogs in need of rescue, available now, contact Ms. Candyce Corcoran in White Plains.

SMALL PAWS RESCUERS CONCLAVE AT CORCORAN'S. They came from New Jersey, Connecticut, Oklahoma, to meet each other for the first time and share their love for dogs who have none. All are members of Small Paws Rescue who seek loving homes for bichon frises that they have rescued from being destroyed. Candyce Corcoran hosted the event, and she is shown seated next to Ms. Pressnall, Executive Director, in blue sweater. Ms. Corcoran rescued her dog, Oliver, and is coordinating "rescues" in the New York metro area, trying to connect bichon frises who need homes with pet seekers in the area.

Photo by WPCNR News