Save A Dog's Life! Boycott Puppy Mills!
A heads up on a BIG show April 4, 2008. Oprah..the Talk Show Guru, did an entire show on Puppy Mills (See news release below). This comes at a time when we are all trying to make changes in our own legislation. Good on us, I say.
Apparently puppy mills are ALL over North America, and it's so difficult to know, whether or not that "purebred" puppy is from a puppy mill. They are run by unethical, despicable people breeding dogs for MONEY. These poor dogs are generally kept in cages, bred as often as possible (twice a year), given little to no veterinary care, fed as poor quality food as possible, and housed in unsanitary, unhygenic, UNACCEPTABLE conditions.
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MOST pet stores acquire their breeding stock from Puppy Mills. Too many Web Sites and Classified Ads are really just FRONTS for Puppy Mills. When a Breeding dog is sick or no longer fertile, he or she is often killed- for these people it's all about volume and dollars.
SO WHAT can you do?
First of all, if you are looking for a new pet, adopt from a shelter. It will quite possibly save a pet's life.
Adoption fees barely cover the basic costs of neutering and updating vaccines of each animal that is brought in.
All money is used in maintaining these shelters, and the care that a sheltered animal receives far exceeds the care given by "mass production profit makers" such as puppy mills.
Secondly, and equally important, make a donation to your local animal shelter. Your support will make a difference.
Although that may sound like a slogan, it is the truth. Animal shelters depend on the generosity of concerned citizens and businesses alike. Every little bit helps.
And last, but surely not least, Let's Put Puppy Mills Out Of Business!
If puppy mills do not make money, they will surely disappear. If you are looking to aquire a new pet, do some research. Know where the pet is coming from and try to obtain a detailed history of the pet, and his/her parents. Any reputable organization, or individual, will gladly make this information readily available. If you suspect that there may be some question as to the legitimacy of the information provided, make further inquiries. Don't get fooled by a "doggie sales man".
There are many very informative sites, one of which being Stop Puppy Mills. Here are some of their tips:
- Find a responsible breeder and visit their premises. Responsible breeders provide a loving and healthy environment for their canine companions, but don't take their word for it. Never buy a puppy without seeing where they and their parents are raised and housed with your own eyes.
- Don't be fooled by common claims made by pet stores when pushing their puppies. Despite what they may tell you, pet stores do sell puppy mill puppies.
- Don't be swayed by a great website or ad. Just because a website says great things about their "home raised" or "family raised" puppies doesn't make it true. Many puppy millers pose as small family breeders online and in newspaper and magazine ads.
- Please consider adoption. Adopting a dog instead of buying one is the surest way to strike a blow against puppy mills. To find the perfect match, you'll want to choose the right one for you and your lifestyle. Animal shelters have dozens of dogs, many of them purebreds, just waiting for homes. There are also breed specific rescue groups for every breed of dog, including "designer" or "hybrids" like Labradoodles and Puggles.
- Avoid the temptation to "rescue" a puppy mill puppy by buying him. Even though your intentions may be good, don't buy a puppy with the idea that you are "rescuing" him or her. Your "rescue" opens up space for another poor puppy mill puppy and puts money into the pockets of the puppy mill. Pet stores won't leave their cages empty and websites won't leave their pages blank. The money you spend on your puppy goes right back to the puppy mill operator and ensures they can continue breeding and treating dogs inhumanely. If you see someone keeping puppies in poor conditions, alert your local animal control authorities instead of buying one.
Here are a few other links to related sites:
News Release About Oprah Winfrey's Show, April 4, 2008 Regarding Puppy Mills
THE OPRAH SHOW INVESTIGATES PUPPY MILLS IN A SPECIAL HOUR DEDICATED TO OPRAH'S BELOVED DOG SOPHIE Chicago, IL
-- On Friday, April 4, 2008 The Oprah Show exposes the secret underworld of puppy mills. The emotional and thought-provoking hour is dedicated to the memory of Oprah's beloved dog Sophie, who passed away March 10 at the age of 13. A tribute to Sophie begins the hour, which then includes an undercover investigation by Oprah Show correspondent Lisa Ling into the hidden world of puppy mills.
Says Winfrey, "Our show today is for anybody anywhere who loves a dog, has ever loved a dog or just cares about their basic right to humane treatment. I'm dedicating this hour to my little Sophie, who you may have heard died last month." She continues, "Sophie gave me 13 years of unconditional love. She was a true love in my life."
In a revealing hour, Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, and Bill Smith, head of Mainline Animal Rescue in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, issued an urgent wake-up call to all pet owners about the prevalence of puppy mills.
Then, Lisa Ling goes undercover with Smith in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for a glimpse into a hidden world where dogs only equal dollar signs. Ling, a regular contributor to The Oprah Show, said of puppy mills, "I had no idea how horrific they are. And it's really haunting...I felt like I was crying two days after I returned because it's just a really, really scary sight."
Winfrey currently owns three dogs adopted from breeders--13-year-old Chocolate American cocker spaniel Solomon and two-year-old white Golden retrievers Luke and Layla--and says, "I would never, ever adopt another pet now without going to a shelter to do it. I am a changed woman after seeing this show."
P.S. For those of you considering a new pet, please, please, please The BEST way to AVOID a puppy mill is by adopting a Shelter Dog or Cat.
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