If you've been trying to decide whether or not to fulfill your child's holiday wish for a puppy, consider this: if you live in or near Pennsylvania, you can make your kid's wish come true and do a good yuletide deed in one fell -- and inexpensive -- swoop.
New legislation in Pennsylvania tightens regulations on commercial kennels and breeders -- and many are simply throwing in the towel, closing down and dumping their inventory -- i.e. puppies -- on local shelters.

Every little mutt needs a home, but bear in mind that many of these pups are discarded designer mixes that would fetch more than $1,000 on the open market -- so if your girlfriend has her heart set on a puggle or a labradoodle, you may be able to find one for a nominal adoption fees.

One shelter in particular -- the Last Chance Ranch in Quakertown, Pa., (an hour north of Philadelphia, 1.5 hours south of Manhattan) -- has been overwhelmed with homeless puppies in the past several days. Incidentally, the shelter is a finalist in Rachael Ray's Mutt Madness contest; it's safe to say its odds of winning the cash prize just went up substantially.

To help, call any Humane Society branch located in Pennsylvania or Last Chance Ranch -- and kick off 2010 with some great canine karma.