As the public is becoming more aware of the horrors caused by puppy mills and that most pet stores get their puppies from puppy mills, more people are turning to newspapers ads, Craigslist, and the Internet to find their new canine family member. There is also a growing desire to adopt a "rescue" dog; but, how can you tell a legitimate dog rescue from a dog-theft or puppy mill scam?
If you read or watch the news on even a somewhat regular basis, you already know that the number of dog thefts is skyrocketing. Oddly, a few dog thefts are committed for humane reasons. Sometimes a well-meaning person believes a dog is being neglected or abused, and rather than follow proper channels, they take matters into their own hands. These same people feel justified that what they are doing is for the dog's welfare.