Knowledge is Power (Puppymills), UPDATE, Oprah doing Show

[disneyaggie]

Thanks...it hurt so bad that it made me question why I have pets, but I can't imagine life without them!

She was an awesome dog...bought her for $26 on a whim and she moved with us from Texas, to Alaska, to North Carolina to North Dakota.

We had her creamated and she is in the kitchen window sill, when I put her there my oldest DD said, "that's where she should be Mama, you know how much she loved to be in the kitchen!!"

Here's a better picture of her, this was taken at "her spot" at my mom's house 4 months before she died.

What a cutie! She lived a very long and happy life thanks to you -- how blessed y'all were to have each other.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Thanks...it hurt so bad that it made me question why I have pets, but I can't imagine life without them!

She was an awesome dog...bought her for $26 on a whim and she moved with us from Texas, to Alaska, to North Carolina to North Dakota.

We had her creamated and she is in the kitchen window sill, when I put her there my oldest DD said, "that's where she should be Mama, you know how much she loved to be in the kitchen!!"

Here's a better picture of her, this was taken at "her spot" at my mom's house 4 months before she died.

She was a beautiful dog! She has such a sweet face.

 

[HOGFAN]

I have a pet store dog sitting in my lap. It is a store run by a vet. Do I know for sure that she isn't a puppymill dog? No they gave me the name of the kennel but I wouldn't know if it was or not. I had no intention of getting a dog that day- we had been visiting breeders. We had had 2 dogs bought directly from breeders. *We couldn't rescue around here because of the ages of our children- no rescue was willing to give us a dog based only on that fact. We tried. So not everyone can walk into a rescue and end up with a dog.
When I saw Sophie she had just been brought in. I couldn't stand to leave her there. So she came home with us.
It does break my heart that dogs are treated that way. And I know I didn't help by buying one from a pet store. But I love Sophie. By the way I get my pets spayed or neutered.

we also have a pet store dog. Believe me, we hit all the local shelters, petfinder, etc. We knew what we wanted(and could handle) and just couldnt find the right one. We prefer small, youngish dogs and seems like all we could find were big breeds or none under about 5 years of age. We did what was best for us and I dont think anyone has the right to judge us.

 

[louey]

Bumping to let everyone know that Oprah is doing a show this Friday, April 4th on Puppymills (Lisa Ling is doing a segment!!!) Amen.....
link
http://www2.oprah.com/tows/coming/tows_come_main.jhtml

 

[k_null81]

I will have to have my mom set her DVR for that episode. I wish we could get more stories out regarding how bad puppymills are and about how many unwanted pets end up in shelters every year. I can never look at those pictures of puppymills it is soo sick! Makes me so sad & mad all at the same time because I can't help save those poor dogs from that life.

 

[NYBlue1]

I know many rescues won't adopt to families with small children so I totally understand. I am a sucker too for sweet doggies. I started this thread to post the puppymill information because people just don't know about what goes on. I didn't know, so if it helps one or however many dogs than that is great. Ya never know when your children are older maybe your next pet will be a rescue, at least you are aware of what goes on

Great point! My kids are 4 years old, they are very gentile kids, they LOVE animals, I have a wiener dog and a chihuahua, they are nothing but gentile with the dogs, my chi was 2 pounds when I got him, embarrassingly enough from a pet shop. Was not planning on ever getting a dog from a pet shop, I have been educated on the puppy mills, the problems with the dogs but this little guy just cryed out GET ME OUT OF HERE!

He is a great dog to the entire family, a rescue would never have placed a chi with my family. When they get a bit older I plan on getting a pit from a rescue , I'm all for closing the puppy mills for sure, they are disgusting.

 

[TerriP]

Here's a better picture of her, this was taken at "her spot" at my mom's house 4 months before she died.

She was just beautiful. I'm so sorry for you loss. God rest her soul.

 

[louey]

Bumping for the Oprah show on Friday with a segment on puppymills

 

[christiane]

if someone purchases a puppy from a pet store, they have supported a puppy mill. end of story.

what i ask people to think of is not the cute little puppy sitting there, but his mom & dad who are probably living in some deplorable conditions somewhere.

that should be enough to have someone turn around and not contribute to the problem. you might "save" that puppy, but contribute to suffering of many others.

no decent breeder would ever allow their puppies to be sold in a pet store. no matter what anyone in the store tells you otherwise.

the other thing to know is that the US is no longer the only source for these puppies. China & Eastern Europe among other regions are now exporting dogs to the US, and we will never be able to touch those regions in terms of banning puppy mills. not to mention the potential for diseases those imported puppies could bring to the US.

there are 2 main things needed to end puppymills:
1) lack of demand
2) laws with teeth to shut them down and keep them shut down

thank you Louey for educating the public about this.

Christiane

 

[louey]

Bumping for the Oprah show on Friday with a segment on puppymills

bump

 

[MyGoofy26]

Aw I hate that. I live in the midst of "Amish Country" where people find it so quaint to buy a puppy from an Amish farm. The Amish folk can grow great vegetables....puppies, not so much I think this is one of the most quickly expanding areas for puppy mills.

I think the problem is that the Amish don't really view the veggie and the puppy as all that different from each other. It's just something they're growing in bulk to sell for profit.

 

[MyGoofy26]

There are plenty of awesome mixed breed dogs in shelters that need homes.

My puppy is from the local shelter. A beagle/jack russel mix. $85 including all shots but her last round of boosters and rabies (because she wasn't old enough yet) and included her spay. I laughed when I searched online and found out she was a very rare "designer dog" called a "jackabee" . . . can't be THAT rare! Makes me wonder how much people are paying for this rare designer breed from a "breeder"

 

[louey]

I think the problem is that the Amish don't really view the veggie and the puppy as all that different from each other. It's just something they're growing in bulk to sell for profit.

I believe Lancaster County, PA is one of the larger PuppyMill states, I even think they have billboards along the roadway with Puppymill info on them yet nothing is done about it???? I don't get it, why are they allowed to continue to operate these? when it is known what goes on ???

 

[NYBlue1]

if someone purchases a puppy from a pet store, they have supported a puppy mill. end of story.

what i ask people to think of is not the cute little puppy sitting there, but his mom & dad who are probably living in some deplorable conditions somewhere.

that should be enough to have someone turn around and not contribute to the problem. you might "save" that puppy, but contribute to suffering of many others.

no decent breeder would ever allow their puppies to be sold in a pet store. no matter what anyone in the store tells you otherwise.

the other thing to know is that the US is no longer the only source for these puppies. China & Eastern Europe among other regions are now exporting dogs to the US, and we will never be able to touch those regions in terms of banning puppy mills. not to mention the potential for diseases those imported puppies could bring to the US.

there are 2 main things needed to end puppymills:
1) lack of demand
2) laws with teeth to shut them down and keep them shut down

thank you Louey for educating the public about this.

Christiane

If puppy mills are to stop they need to be regulated by law, that is THE only way they will be regulated and controlled. Hold them to a standard of care for the animals, have inspectors that are worth their salt and impose large fines if they are not taking care of the animals. Regulate the amount of amimals they can have AND the amount of litters one dog can produce. That will go a long way.

Educate the public on the horrors of the mills, make them insist there representatives create laws and guidlines controlling them. That is a great first step, if that is unable to get them under control then you can go for the shut down. I would imagine you have a much greatter chance of regulating them than shutting them down. Unfortunatly they are viewed as livestock by many millers, nothing more nothing less. Sad as it , you are not going to make those people lose that mentality.

I dont think leaving beautiful animals to suffer in pet shops will do anthing to stop the mills, why? Its just not going to happen. I happen to think my dog is a precious and important life, has brought much joy to my family and I would not trade him for anything.

 

[louey]

bumping for Oprah Show

 

[Kycha]

I think the problem is that the Amish don't really view the veggie and the puppy as all that different from each other. It's just something they're growing in bulk to sell for profit.

Exactly...these puppies are viewed as livestock not pets.

I believe Lancaster County, PA is one of the larger PuppyMill states, I even think they have billboards along the roadway with Puppymill info on them yet nothing is done about it???? I don't get it, why are they allowed to continue to operate these? when it is known what goes on ???

Because, as a pp stated, there are no laws to stop them.

 

[escape]

That is really interesting about the Amish. I had no idea.

I hope Oprah's show can make a difference. Maybe just making more people aware of the situations will bring on some much needed action.

 

[disneyaggie]

That is really interesting about the Amish. I had no idea.

I hope Oprah's show can make a difference. Maybe just making more people aware of the situations will bring on some much needed action.

I did not know this about the Amish either. Very disturbing.

And I am thrilled that Oprah is doig a show on this. While I am not a fan of Oprah, I applaud her bringing puppy mills and their horrors to light.

 

[Kycha]

Unfortunately the Amish have a bad reputation in their treatment of animals. Especially the horses and mules that pull their buggies and wagons. Of course it isn't the whole Amish community. But, as they say, it only takes one bad apple to spoil the whole bunch.

 

[louey]

Unfortunately the Amish have a bad reputation in their treatment of animals. Especially the horses and mules that pull their buggies and wagons. Of course it isn't the whole Amish community. But, as they say, it only takes one bad apple to spoil the whole bunch.

And there definately are a whole bunch of Puppymills, I saw a preview for Fridays Oprah show and most people in the audience were crying. I know its such a sad subject but I give KUDOS to Oprah for stepping up and bringing attention to this. I get a lump in my throat just thinking about these dogs and the situation they are in :-(