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karacg
Babygirl is 4!
Member since 5/05 17076 total posts
Name:
Kara®
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ASPCA email - 10 ways to fight puppy mills
Rather than arguing, here's a list of suggestions from the ASPCA --
Ten Ways
Ten 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?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?in terms you understand?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?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.
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Posted 5/18/07 1:21 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Porrruss
Nya nya nya
Member since 5/05 11618 total posts
Name:
Amy
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Re: ASPCA email - 10 ways to fight puppy mills
Could we permanantly pin this to the top of the forum?
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| Posted 5/18/07 1:54 PM |
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RadioLau
LIF Adult
Member since 4/07 2179 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: ASPCA email - 10 ways to fight puppy mills
This is excellent advice. Unfortunately there are many people that don't understand the seriousness of it and keep puppy mills in business by buying that cute pup from the pet stores. I don't even shop in pet stores for items if they sell puppies. I am a huge advocate against pet stores and still know people who have purchases dogs from there despite my numerous pleas not to. Very frustrating.
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| Posted 5/18/07 2:11 PM |
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karacg
Babygirl is 4!
Member since 5/05 17076 total posts
Name:
Kara®
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Re: ASPCA email - 10 ways to fight puppy mills
I do have to say -- I learned about puppy mills on this site. SO while some say to stop preaching to the choir, I say thank you for the enlightenment!
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| Posted 5/18/07 4:03 PM |
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Gertyrae
Peace out Homies!
Member since 5/05 20046 total posts
Name:
Gerty ®
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Re: ASPCA email - 10 ways to fight puppy mills
What a wonderful post and I agree that it should be pinned.
I also don't shop at stores that sell puppies and/or kittens. I refuse to give them any of my discretionary income.
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| Posted 5/18/07 5:16 PM |
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Porrruss
Nya nya nya
Member since 5/05 11618 total posts
Name:
Amy
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Re: ASPCA email - 10 ways to fight puppy mills
bump to top
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| Posted 5/19/07 10:31 AM |
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jellybean78
:)
Member since 8/06 13103 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: ASPCA email - 10 ways to fight puppy mills
This is an excellent reading that I think every pet owner or soon to be pet owner should read!
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| Posted 5/20/07 11:30 AM |
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Gertyrae
Peace out Homies!
Member since 5/05 20046 total posts
Name:
Gerty ®
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Re: ASPCA email - 10 ways to fight puppy mills
bump...
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| Posted 5/21/07 7:45 AM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: ASPCA email - 10 ways to fight puppy mills
Posted by Gertyrae
What a wonderful post and I agree that it should be pinned.
I also don't shop at stores that sell puppies and/or kittens. I refuse to give them any of my discretionary income.
I have posted this before, but I think it bears repeating:
A great way to let pet shops know that you DO NOT patronize them due to their selling of puppies/kittens is as follows:
When you go to another store that you shop for your pet, take the receipt & photocopy it. Take that photocopy and include a letter. Here is what I use:
Dear (name of store):
Today I shopped for my dogs, buying a normal amount of toys, treats, food and essentials. I make this visit about once every three weeks. Enclosed you will find my receipt in the amount of $107.68. This is money that could have been made by your store, but unfortunately I CANNOT patronize a store that supports puppy mills by selling puppies.
I know you think that you are not doing anything wrong. It is not illegal. But did you know that for every puppy you order, 7 to 10 die while trying to breed at unnatural rates. Many also die in transit, as I am sure that you know first hand from getting a "returnable carcass" every once and a while. These dogs are not bred responsibly, and therefore are more prone to health and temperament issues than responsibly bred dogs. Furthermore, those of us who are in the know are aware that the profit you make off of one dog is greater than the mark-up for fine jewelry. So forgive me if I feel that you do not need MY $107.68 every three weeks, even though you are geographically closer and more convenient to me.
Please stop supporting Puppy Mills, Backyard Breeders and Puppy brokers, and support your patrons by offering adoption services and clinics.
Signed,
(Your name here)
P.S. The store I do patronize donates 10% from every sale to a local rescue organization. I would pay higher prices for items knowing that the difference is going to charity, rather than profit.
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| Posted 5/21/07 9:47 AM |
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sunflowerjesss
Mommy to 3!
Member since 10/05 20369 total posts
Name:
Jesss, duh.
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Re: ASPCA email - 10 ways to fight puppy mills
Great article! Thanks for sharing, we should ask to have it pinned!
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| Posted 5/21/07 11:11 AM |
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Gertyrae
Peace out Homies!
Member since 5/05 20046 total posts
Name:
Gerty ®
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Re: ASPCA email - 10 ways to fight puppy mills
bumpity!
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| Posted 5/21/07 4:04 PM |
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KGools
Happy
Member since 9/06 9532 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: ASPCA email - 10 ways to fight puppy mills
Great article... Here's the website for the organization that we were working with after we got Cooper and became educated about what really goes on in pet stores and what PMs are...
CAPS
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| Posted 5/21/07 4:10 PM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: ASPCA email - 10 ways to fight puppy mills
Posted by CoopersMom01
Great article... Here's the website for the organization that we were working with after we got Cooper and became educated about what really goes on in pet stores and what PMs are...
CAPS
Excellent link, thanks!
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| Posted 5/21/07 4:29 PM |
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
Name:
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Re: ASPCA email - 10 ways to fight puppy mills
Great info!
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| Posted 5/21/07 5:41 PM |
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