EllieMae: A St. Bernard Puppy purchased from a reputable breeder. She is adorable and treasured deeply, by Vicki, her owner.
Several days have passed since I watched the Oprah Winfrey special program airing the frightening facts about Puppy Mills. The program left indelible images on my mind of the suffering and neglect that these baby animals experience and still continue to haunt me.
Oprah's show was deeply touching and informative. It was a vehicle which will hopefully will serve to educate the public about the plight of pet store puppies and kittens. The show focused on several stories, which brought to light the horrific lives which Puppy Mill dogs and cats, considered only to be livestock by their owners, must endure.
Most of these breeding animals produce at least two litters a year, while at the same time are imprisoned in wire cages, not ever having touched their paws to the ground and are devoid of human compassion, a gentle loving touch, or the proper medical care and nutrition that they need.
The shocking fact that Oprah disclosed on the show is that 95-98 percent of puppies and kittens for sale in pet stores have been obtained from these mills. Is it any wonder that these puppies and kittens often are very often sickly and unsocialized?
The follow up message that Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States made, is compelling. He said,"The puppy mill industry will thrive as long as consumers are kept in the dark about the “mass production” of purebred and designer dogs. With your help, we'll shed light on the cruelty of puppy mills and put them out of business for good. We can't do it without your help!" He urged animal lovers to remain committed to stopping the business of Puppy Mills.
You can view clips of the show by visiting Oprah's Past Shows.
What steps can you take as a concerned animal lover to help put an end to Puppy Mills?
- You can adopt dogs and cats from shelters instead of purchasing them from a pet store.
- You can contact a purebred rescue group to find the breed of dog or cat of your choice.
- You can purchase a pet through a recognized breeder who is committed to the safety and protection of their sale animals and will be supportive to you for the life of your pet.
- You can educate your friends about how pet stores obtain their puppies and kittens and about the miserable lives that their mothers must endure.
Please take a moment to watch the video,When Dogs Bite, The Story of Penelope, A Puppy Mill Dog, uploaded to You Tube by reckless1962 and visit The Dog Liberator
