As the world embraces the age of technology, everything is available online----including the sale of pets. Guardians of Rescue, a nationwide animal rescue organization, has stepped up to protect these poor animals from the cruelty of being bought and sold via the Internet. Guardians of Rescue is working with law enforcement in various states to try to reduce the amount of harm inflicted on these innocent dogs.

“Getting a new pet is always a big decision, and buying a dog you haven’t met in person is not smart,” says Dori Scofield, vice-president of Guardians of Rescue, an organization whose mission is to protect the well-being of all animals. “If you buy a dog through the Internet, you risk supporting puppy mill cruelty and being scammed out of your money. The Internet is also used by criminals to buy and sell fighting dogs, using certain understood language.”

If you looking to adopt a new dog, here are five tips to think about before you decide where to buy:

WASHINGTON (WUSA9) – Wednesday morning, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and other officials announced a plan to invest approximately $300 million in a brand-new hospital on the St. Elizabeths East Campus. The hospital would replace the United Medical Center (UMC) on Southern Avenue SE.

Mayor Gray told a crowd at the press conference that the plan for a new hospital instead of capital improvements to the current facility would ensure high-quality medical care for part of the city and help with economic development. (see the mayor's list of reasons below*)