Reminder: Puppy Mill Redux on Oprah, May 29 at 3 PM Central

[Guest guest]

, Margaret Morin

<dogs_good wrote:

>

> DID YOU MISS OPRAH'S PUPPY MILL EPISODE? CATCH IT 5/29!

>

> Thanks to investigator Lisa Ling, who went undercover into a handful

of Pennsylvania puppy mills, the April 4 episode of The Oprah Winfrey

Show revealed to millions of viewers the horrific abuses that go on in

these large-scale breeding facilities. This important episode will be

shown again next Thursday, May 29, 4:00 P.M. EST.

 

> Raising awareness is one of the most important ways to effect

change, so please don't miss your chance to see the realities of this

cruel industry.

>

> For more information on what you can do, please read our Top Ten

Ways to Help Fight Puppy Mills. (see below)

>

> 10 Ways You Can Help Fight Puppy Mills

 

1. Do Not Buy Your Puppy From a Pet Store!

> That puppy who charmed you through the pet shop window has most

likely come from a large-scale, substandard commercial breeding

facility, commonly known as a puppy mill. In these facilities, parent

dogs are caged and bred as often as possible, and give birth to

puppies who could have costly medical problems you might not become

aware of until after you bring your new pet home.

> 2. Make Adoption Your First Option

> If you're looking to make a puppy part of your family, check your

local shelters first. Not only will you be saving a life, but you will

ensure that your money is not going to support a puppy mill. There are

many dogs waiting for homes in shelters all across the

country & #8213;and an estimated one in four is a purebred! Your second

option is breed rescue. If your heart is set on a specific breed you

haven't been able to find in a shelter, you can do an Internet search

for a breed-specific rescue organization.

> 3. Know How to Recognize a Responsible Breeder

> If you've exhausted your options for adopting and are choosing to

buy from a breeder, remember that responsible breeders have their

dogs' interests in mind. They are not simply interested in making a

sale, but in placing their pups in good homes. A responsible breeder

should screen you as thoroughly as you screen them! Read the ASPCA's

responsible breeding statement to find out more about how a

responsible breeder behaves.

> 4. See Where Your Puppy Was Born and Bred

> One sign that you are speaking to an unscrupulous breeder is that

they will not let you see the facility in which your puppy was born.

Always ask to see the breeding premises and to meet both parents (or

at least the mother) of the puppy you want to take home. You should

also ask for an adoption contract that explains & #8213;in terms you

understand & #8213;the breeder's responsibilities, health guarantee and

return policy.

> 5. Internet Buyers, Beware!

> Buying a puppy from the Internet is as risky as buying from a pet

store. If you buy a puppy based on a picture and a phone call, you

have no way of seeing the puppy's breeding premises or meeting his

parents. And those who sell animals on the Internet are not held to

the Animal Welfare Act regulations & #8213;and so are not inspected by

the USDA.

> 6. Share Your Puppy Mill Story with the ASPCA

> If you have—or think you have—purchased a puppy-mill puppy, please

tell us your story. Every bit of evidence gives us more power to get

legislation passed that will ban puppy mills.

> 7. Speak Out!

> Inform your state and federal legislators that you are disturbed by

the inhumane treatment of dogs in puppy mills, and would like to see

legislation passed that ensures that all animals bred to be pets are

raised in healthy conditions. You can keep up-to-date about current

legislation to ban puppy mills by joining the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade.

> 8. Tell Your Friends

> If someone you know is planning on buying a puppy, please direct

them to our puppy mill information at ASPCA.org. Let them know that

there are perfectly healthy dogs in shelters waiting to be adopted.

> 9. Think Globally

> Have a webpage, a MySpace page or a blog? Use these powerful tools

to inform people about puppy mill cruelty by adding a link to our

puppy mill information at ASPCA.org.

> 10. Act Locally!

> When people are looking to buy or adopt a pet, they will often ask

the advice of their veterinarian, groomer or pet supply store.

Download and print our flyers and ask to leave them in the offices of

your local practitioners.

>