On Friday, instead of sleeping, which I should have been doing in preparation for work that night, I decided to step right outside my comfort zone and watch the Oprah episode that was dedicated to puppy mills and other problems with pet overpopulation. I initially did not want to watch this episode because the whol puppy mill thing is something I prefer to file away in my mind, along with things like the genocide in Darfur and the fact that the polar ice caps are melting, to be more or less ignored because to do otherwise would cause in me paralyzing anxiety. However, I decided to rise above that tendency and do the right thing and watch this show.
Wow.
First of all, the director of Main Line Animal Rescue, who put the bug in Oprah's ear about doing this show, operates his organization practically in my backyard. I am in awe of this man. While I don't seem to have it in me to dedicate my life to one cause like this (I prefer to dabble), I am so impressed by those who did. He makes me proud to be from PA.
The puppy mill owners of Lancaster and Chester Counties? Not so much. They are also practically in my backyard, and I have to say that it is hard to hear that Pennsylvania is one of the top producers of puppy mill dogs. As much I like to ignore what is probably the truth, the little puppies that I fawn over at the pet store in my mall are probably from puppy mills. My own Otto is from a backyard breeder who is a friend-of-a-friend. While my family has rescued dogs in the past, we have also had pet store puppies. Clearly, we are not doing what we could.
I plan to look into volunteering at a local animal shelter as soon as I do some research into where I want to go. And I plan to never again bring into my home an animal that is not a rescue (although I will be quite honest and say that I would not trade Otto for anything). And I will spread the word.
Won't you do the same?
2 comments:
Please consider joining the weekly demonstration hosted by North Penn Puppy Mill Watch held every Saturday in Lansdale PA. Visit NPPMWatch.com for details. Just one short hour to help raise awareness really does make a difference and everyone's welcome.
Give HOPE to the Mill Dogs
BOYCOTT STORES THAT SELL PUPPIES!
You already know how I feel. All my pets have been found animals in the streets that we took in. I think that if you can find a somewhat tame, or even medium tame animal in the street and are prepared (or looking) for a pet, keep it! I despite pet stores and puppy mills. I don't like pet stores that charge $500 for a puppy who probably isn't getting walked and sunshine and just sitting in a cage.
Get a rescue animal. Some people think they are getting a quality pet, paying all that money, but it just doesn't make any sense when there are so many shelter animals that need homes, not to mention that cat that keeps coming in your backyard and tries to keep warm in the bushes. THOSE are the animals you should keep.
Post a Comment