There’s been a lot of talk in the media over the past week or two about Senator Obama’s promise that, once the election is over, the family will get a new dog.

The American Kennel Club quickly jumped on this, and weighed in with a list of “pure” breeds that would be good for the Obama family to buy from a pet store or breeder.

Best Friends would like to propose that the Obamas NOT buy a dog – instead, that they adopt their next dog from a shelter or rescue group.

We’ve launched a new website – www.obamafamilydog.com – where you can sign a petition encouraging the senator to save a life by adopting a homeless pet.

Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, left-wing or right-wing, please sign the petition, and encourage all your friends and family to sign it, too.

As part of this effort, we’ve sent out the following to the national media: _______________________________

Best Friends Has Advice for Presidential Hopeful Barack Obama: Embrace Change, Adopt Dog from Shelter or Breed Rescue Group

If Barack Obama is all about change, Best Friends Animal Society has a suggestion regarding the presidential candidate's reported search for a family dog.

"Adopt from a local animal shelter."

The Utah-based organization feels so strongly about its message that it has launched the web site "obamafamilydog.com," to spread the word about the importance of adopting from a shelter or breed rescue organization. The new web site gives people a chance to sign a petition that urges the Obama Family to adopt a mixed breed rescue dog - a recommendation in direct contrast to the American Kennel Club's purebred-only suggestions for the Obamas.

"There are thousands of affectionate, loyal dogs of all sizes, shapes, and colors trapped in the animal control system who need a way out," says Julie Castle, director of community programs for Best Friends, home to more than 2,000 adoptable animals. "There are also plenty of purebred dogs that can be adopted from breed rescue organizations, without purchasing one from a pet store."

"Best Friends, along with many other animal welfare groups around the country, urge the Obamas - and any family considering a dog - to adopt one from a local shelter or breed rescue group, and never buy one from a pet store," Castle said.

The new web site says that if Sen. Obama becomes president, he'll instantly be faced with decisions affecting millions of Americans. By adopting a dog, he'll be acting in the best interests of millions of American-born dogs who are looking for a loving home.

While the AKC has suggested five different types of purebred dogs that would fit the Obamas' lifestyle, obamafamilydog.com explains how a mixed breed dog can be an excellent choice when it comes to families.

"In America's shelters, millions of dogs are killed each year, in large part because there aren't enough families for them," Castle added. "For a candidate focused on 'hope' and 'change,' adopting a homeless pet is the right choice for the Obamas. It's a win-win situation - for the Obamas and for dogs everywhere."

The web site lists numerous reasons for families to adopt instead of buy from a pet store or breeder. These include saving lives of dogs that ultimately will be euthanized, making the socially responsible choice, decreasing the demand for dogs from puppy mills and others.

Castle said that preference for the look of a particular dog causes families to automatically seek out a breeder or pet shop.

"We understand that folks may have their heart set on a puppy or a particular breed," Castle said. "But the problem is when you buy from a pet store you help perpetuate the endless cycle of mass breeding that occurs in puppy mills, while thousands of abused, abandoned dogs languish or die in shelters every day."

Last week at a Los Angeles news conference, Best Friends Animal Society and Last Chance for Animals jointly announced the launch of "A Puppy-Store-Free LA" campaign to shine the light on tens of thousands of dogs across the United States that are trapped in puppy mills, which serve as suppliers for pet shops around the country.

"We're hoping the campaign can draw attention to and help stop the flow of puppies from puppy mils to pet stores, and at the same time make it more difficult to sell puppies from puppy mills," Castle said. "Consumers, including the Obamas, can help us in this regard by making what we feel is an ethical decision not to purchase any dog that comes from large-scale, for-profit breeding operations."

For people considering adopting a dog, Best Friends suggests a visit to a local shelter or looking online at any of the following web sites:

www.1-800-save-a-pet.com
www.pets911.com
www.petfinder.com

Potential adopters can also find a purebred dog from a breed rescue organization by searching www.google.com. Enter a city or state, the breed you are looking for, and the word "rescue."

"Kindness to Animals Builds a Better World for All of Us"
______________________________________

The work of Best Friends is possible only because of your generous support. Please help us reach our goal of No More Homeless Pets.

Check out more Best Friends news.

July 24, 2008 : 2:23 PM ET
posted by: margaret mitchell

I was so proud to see my beautiful Maple pictured next to the Obama family. Maple is the dog that was found at the Gap with her five adorable puppies, rescued by the Fredonia humane society and brought to Best Friends. My mother and I adopted her on Mothers day this year.She is doing very well with her new doggie boyfriend Miles. They absolutely love each other and enjoy trips to the creek,where to my surprise the first time Maple saw the water she dove in head first. She gets to romp with Miles all day in her new (fenced) back yard.She still has fears but she is adjusting very well. Sleeps on the bed at night with me and Miles,knows how to tell time(feeding),has her own chair,learned how to play with toys,and has become quite the watch dog. Miles has taught her quite a bit, and she goes crazy when the leashes come out!WE LOVE HER SO MUCH ,and boy is she smart.Thank you B.F.for saving her,I hope the Obamas will save another wonderful shelter pooch.Sincerely M.M.

July 15, 2008 : 6:07 PM ET
posted by: rmlamasney25

I liked the photo of Sen. Obama posing at the Lincoln Memorial with Baby, the tripod puppy mill survivor. He has a good voting record on animal welfare, from what I've read...I wish the Obamas well in adding a family member, and I hope they do adopt, what a great message that will send!

July 15, 2008 : 3:07 PM ET
posted by: Mom of Niki

Cat, dog, kitten or puppy......I sincerely hope that Mr. Obama chooses to do the right thing. Millions of animal loving people will be watching their decision and I hope they make the right one by adopting from a shelter or rescue group.

While we're at it, why not adopt 2 or 3....surely there are siblings available who would love to go to the same forever home?

And why not make it a requirement that Mr. Obama watches Oprah's show on puppy mills seeing as how Oprah has given her endorsement to Mr. Obama......

The eyes of America will be on Mr. Obama and his family.

July 15, 2008 : 2:28 PM ET
posted by: Mtrusello

A "family pooch", eh? What's the matter with adopting a cat? If you don't think a cat would fit into the "family-man President" image, you might be surprised to learn that THE "Image President", Abraham Lincoln, was absolutely crazy about cats! One of his cats gave birth to kittens on the day of his first Inauguration (strangely enough, he also had a dog who gave birth to puppies on the very same day!); another favorite cat shared the Presidential bed with Abe and Mary every night, and always curled up with him while he was reading in bed (it's said that this same cat would sit on his desk and watch him as he wrote his speeches); and during one visit to a military camp during the Civil War, when Lincoln encountered a litter of orphaned kittens, he sat down on the ground and played with them for over an hour. By the way, speaking of other "Image Presidents": George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Harry Truman, JFK, and Gerald Ford all had cats - and who could forget the luminous moment during Jimmy Carter's Inaugural Ball, when the band, anticipating President and Mrs. Carter's formal descent to the Ballroom from a hallway one level above it, struck up a rousing chorus of "Hail To The Chief"...and Misty Malarkey Ying Yang came prancing down the stairs first!!!

July 15, 2008 : 11:40 AM ET
posted by: kittycooper

Thank Goodness, The friends and companions we chose are definitely an indicator of our character. My gut says that this will be a very successful mission. What a great statement of the kind of change this country needs. 'No More Homeless Pets' Keep on keeping on.!!! We shall overcome!

July 15, 2008 : 10:48 AM ET
posted by: goblueloveyou

And didn't Bill Clinton have Buddy off leash and he ran into the street and was killed? I have always believed that when an animal is given as a "gift" some people don't appreciate them as much as if they were the ones to actually search rescues and shelters for the animal themselves. My rescue group will not adopt to anyone giving the dog as a gift. It has too many tragic, sad endings sometimes and we just don't want to run the risk. I pray the Obama's do the right thing and adopt.

July 15, 2008 : 8:11 AM ET
posted by: julychick

I sincerely hope the Obamas do adopt their next family pet. Remember, however, that some breeder hoping for publicity may gift the family with a dog as President Clinton was gifted with Buddy. If that should happen maybe the Obama family can in turn make a generous donation to Best Friends or other worthy animal welfare group!

July 15, 2008 : 1:10 AM ET
posted by: yoglib98

Remember though that Obama has a daughter with allergies and will have to find a non-shedding variety. I am sure there are thousands of non-shedding types in rescues that would fit the bill!!!

July 14, 2008 : 9:45 PM ET
posted by: Winkey'sMom

Excellent work Best Friends! Sieze the moment. Love you all.