FAIRFAX, Va. (WUSA9) -- Karim Bouarfa has been missing from Fairfax, Virginia since December 26, 2013. He may still be in the local area.

He's 17 years old. He has black hair and brown eyes.

He is 6'1" tall and weighs approximately 280 pounds.

If you have any information about Karim please call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2233.

*All info from National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

FAIRFAX, Va. (WUSA9) -- Gunnar Berg has been missing from Fairfax, Virginia since August 22, 2009.

He was born on September 21, 1999. He has brown hair and brown eyes.

Gunnar's photo is shown age-progressed to 12 years and Kianna's photo is shown age-progressed to 11 years. They were allegedly kidnapped by their mother, Naoko Numakami. A Federal warrant for kidnapping was issued for Naoko on October 15, 2010. They may have traveled to Japan.

If you have any information about Gunnar please call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

*All info from National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

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: