An update from Mary O'Conner-Shaver of Columbus Top Dogs:
March 9, 2009
Dear Companion Pet Lovers ~
I wanted to share with you some important updates on efforts taking place across our country to raise awareness of puppy mills, dog auctions, pet stores and the entities that support and keep them in business. Also, we invite you to join supporters of the WI Puppy Mill Project in their peaceful protest of the Thorp Dog Auction on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 in Thorp Wisconsin.
* General information on the WI Puppy Mill Project - http://www.nowisconsinpuppymills.com/thorp-protest-alert.html
* Times and Directions - http://petshelter.bizland.com/nodogauctions/index.html
* The Auction Catalog - http://petshelter.bizland.com/nodogauctions/index.html
From the desk of Eilene Ribbens, Founder of the WI Puppy Mill Project:
"Dog auctions are a tragic embarrassment to Wisconsin and it's humane-minded citizens. We have been asked if people should "buy" or rescue" these dogs. We are asking for an all-out boycott of this event. We have studied the numbers from past auctions and believe that the dogs being offered at this auction are not mill cast-offs but were, in many cases, purposely bred to supply AUCTION BUYERS, including rescue groups."
"Buying at the auction will simply mean that it will be profitable. If it is profitable it will continue and MORE dogs will be bred for sale at future Thorp Dog Auctions. That said, we do understand compassion for the dogs being sold on March 11, 2009 and know that there will be some who will buy. We understand both sides of the situation, and hope that in the long run, not buying will produce the best outcome to end these auctions altogether."
1. COLORADO. Legislation introduced on January 21 in Colorado that would have limited the number of dogs breeders could keep and mandate veterinary certification exams for commercially bred dogs has been set aside indefinitely. The Colorado House Agriculture Committee voted on January 28 to table H.B. 1172, and no further hearings are scheduled at this time. The puppy mill bill, if passed in its proposed form, would:
* Limit the number of adult, unaltered dogs a breeder can maintain
* Mandate annual veterinary exams
* Prohibit individuals convicted of animal cruelty of obtaining a breeder license
2. CONNECTICUT. Lawmakers this year will decide whether pet owners should get double their money back from stores that sell them puppies, kittens and other animals with chronic disease or disabilities. Groups such as the Westport Coalition Against Puppy Mills, whose members include G. Kenneth Bernhard, a lawyer and former state representative from Westport, believe that wronged pet owners need more recourse. They want to be able to claim back twice the purchase price of defective animals. Bernhard said that coalition members reviewing records, traced many puppies for sale in Connecticut pet stores to so-called puppy mills in Pennsylvania and points west. "Some had some horrific violations," Bernhard said, adding that owners have been stuck with huge veterinary bills.
For more information, we invite you to view the article, "Pet 'Lemon Law' unleashed at hearing" - > http://www.connpost.com/ci_11707072.
3. IDAHO. On February 17, announcement was made that an animal cruelty bill that teamed the agricultural community and a local animal welfare group together is dead for the 2009 session because of infighting between two animal welfare groups.
For more information, we invite you to view the article, "Animal Cruelty bill fails to enter legislature" - > http://www.kpvi.com/Global/story.asp?S=9861033.
4. ILLINOIS. On January 19, announcement of a Puppy Mill bill, sponsored by state Senators John Fritchey (D-Chicago) and Dan Kotowski (D-Mt. Prospect), was introduced into the Illinois state legislature. Named after a sole survivor of a puppy mill in Downstate Macon County, Chloe's Bill (H.B. 198) would have a positive impact on ending puppy mills in Illinois. The legislation, if passed in its proposed form, would:
* Create a Dog Breeder License Act, which would prevent breeders from having more than 20 unaltered dogs.
* Prohibit individuals from obtaining a dog-breeding license if they have been convicted of a felony animal-cruelty crime, including dog fighting.
* Require dog breeders to keep dogs in buildings without wire flooring and with sufficient heating, cooling and ventilation.
* Require pet stores and breeders to provide potential pet buyers with the dog's full medical history, information of spaying and neutering and information about any prior medical care.
* Establish penalties starting with fines and escalating to having animals seized and breeding operations shut down.
5. INDIANA. H.B. 1468 passed the Indiana House on February 18, and has now been assigned to the Senate Committee on Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters (hearing to be announced). The proposed legislation is hitting some significant barriers from stakeholders tied to the commercial breeding industry. They are recommending:
* Either changing the number of unaltered dogs that a breeder can have from 30 to 50 or completely eliminating the cap altogether
* Removing the sections on requiring a breeding dog to be retired from breeding at eight years of age and limiting the number of litters a dog can produce to one per year.
* Removing the exercise requirement.
* Remove the requirement for illumination.
If adopted, H.B. 1468 would:
* Define a commercial breeder as someone who whelps more than 10 litters of puppies in a 12 month period.
* Limit 30 breeding dogs per location. (A breeding dog is defined as an unaltered dog over one year of age.)
* Require commercial breeders to register with the state, and then renew their registration every four years.
* Require commercial breeders to maintain sanitary conditions.
* Require commercial breeders to have a method in place in which to dispose of animal waste.
* Require commercial breeders to protect animals from parasites and vermin.
* Require breeding facilities to have either artificial or natural light available in areas where dogs are kept and ventilation.
* Require commercial breeding dogs have access to an exercise area at least one hour per day.
* Require commercial breeders to hire employees that have not been convicted of animal fighting or variations of Indiana Codes pertaining to animal abuse, neglect and torture.
* Require commercial breeders to offer a "Guarantee" for each dog and puppy, which would include a 15 day guarantee against disease and a one year guarantee against genetic defects. The guarantee would require a veterinary certification; the opportunity for the dog to be returned or exchanged; and limits reimbursement for veterinary bills to the cost of the puppy.
* Require breeding dogs be between the ages of 18 months and eight years and be checked by a vet annually. The bill limits the number of litters a breeding female can whelp to one every 12 months.
* Prohibit cities and counties from passing laws less stringent than the state law.
For more details concerning this legislation, we invite you to read the article, "IN Lawmakers Crack Down on Animal Cruelty and Puppy Mills" - > http://tristatehomepage.com/content/fulltext/?cid=57361. The proposed bill can be read here - > http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2009/HB/HB1468.2.html
6. IOWA. A proposed puppy mill bill, which will allow inspectors from the state Department of Agriculture into a USDA facility upon receipt of a complaint, is moving to a vote on the floors of both the House and Senate within the next two weeks! A HUGE thanks to BanOhioDogAuctions.com supporter, Mary Lahay, for her tireless efforts to help draft this legislation!
Click here to view a copy of the House version - > http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=BillInfo&Service=Billbook&ga=83&menu=text&hbill=HF30.
For more information on Mary's efforts, we invite you to view the article, "wants puppy mill bill changed" - http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/513194.html?nav=5010.
7. MONTANA. A Ballantine woman's animal cruelty case caught the attention of Montana lawmakers and has prompted several bills aimed at regulating dog breeders and animal hoarders.In December, authorities seized 189 living dogs and numerous dead dogs from Linda Kapsa's Shady Lane Kennels, triggering an animal cruelty case that prosecutors believe was the largest seizure of animals in the state. Animal rescue officials, on the scene during the seizure, described Kapsa as an animal hoarder and said her operation could be described as a puppy mill.Sen. Mitch Tropila (D-Great Falls) introduced a bill that would add hoarding to the state's list of animal cruelty offenses, and Rep. Dave McAlpin, D-Missoula, is introducing a bill that would require commercial breeders - those with 20 or more adult dogs - to register with the state and submit to annual surprise inspections. Registration would come with a $415 biannual fee to cover the cost of inspections.
For more information, we invite you to view the article, "Proposed legislation would place stricter regulations on breeders" - > http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2009/02/16/news/local/18-proposed.txt.
8. MARYLAND. The Maryland Legislature is currently considering two identical bills, S.B. 318 and H.B. 495, which would address the commercial dog breeding industry. If passed, the proposed legislation would cap the number of breeding dogs who can be kept at a single facility at 50 adult dogs.
Click here to view a copy of the bills - > http://www.mlis.state.md.us/PDF-documents/2000rs/bills/sb/sb0318f.pdf.
9. NEBRASKA. Legislation introduced on February 2 in Nebraska that would have limited the number of dogs breeders could keep and mandate veterinary certification exams for commercially bred dogs has been set aside indefinitely.
Senator Ken Haar introduced LB 677, a bill that aims to strictly regulate commercial dog breeders in Nebraska by establishing ownership limits and dog breeding restrictions. If adopted, LB 677 would:
* By April 1, 2010, restrict all those defined as "commercial breeders" under existing Nebraska law to owning no more than 75 dogs over the age of four months.
* Limit the breeding of purebred dogs only to dogs between the ages of 18 months and eight years of age.
* Mandate the implementation of kennel requirements, including but not limited to, climate conditions, enclosures, building materials, and construction.
For more information, we invite you to view the article, "Farm Bureau wary of potential pet, livestock linkage" - http://journalstar.com/articles/2009/02/21/news/politics/doc499c98ab9fd84027587156.txt#blogcomments.
10. NEW YORK. A new puppy mill bill is expected to be introduced in 2009.
To educate citizens about the horrific abuse taking place in those "beautiful white barns", Puppymill Rescue Inc. invites animal advocates from across the country to participate in the second annual "Bark Heard around the World" to be held at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY from 10AM - 4PM on Sat., May 30th, 2009. To learn more about this event, we invite you to visit the website - > http://www.barkaroundtheworld.com/.
11. OHIO. A new puppy mill bill is expected to be introduced by Rep. Cheryl Grossman this week which would be similar to legislation currently being introduced in Indiana (see above). The bill, which is being supported by HSUS, will focus on capping the number of breeding dogs (unaltered dogs over the age of four months) allowed at a facility and shelter standards - flooring, kennel size, exercise provisions, feeding, cleaning and veterinarian care.
Also, Ohio's constitution does allow for ballot initiatives and as many of you are aware, Ohio voters and taxpayers aren't bashful about putting initiatives on the ballot. Since the passage of Proposition 2 in California, there has been a lot of speculation as to what state might be next, Ohio has been one of the states mentioned. It is our hope that a ballot initiative to ban dog auctions may be a very real possibility for 2009.
For more details concerning this initiative, we invite you to read the article, "Animal advocates may push for a ban on dog auctions" - http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/02/28/new_puppy.html?sid=101.
12. OKLAHOMA. The Oklahoma Pet Quality Assurance and Protection Act, H.B. 1332, passed the House committee vote on March 4 with a wide margin of 74 to 26 in favor of the bill. and will be voted on in the full House in the very near future.
The proposed legislation would mandate USDA standards as a minimum for all facilities
selling, trading or adopting out over 25 dogs, cats, kittens or puppies in a year. This means that if your dogs are housed in cages instead of your home, the cages must be at least six inches longer than the dog and must have six inches of headroom.
For more details concerning this legislation, we invite you to read the article, "OK House to Vote on Puppy Mill Bill" - > http://newsok.com/house-to-vote-on-puppy-mill-bill/article/3344976.
13. OREGON. The Oregon legislature is considering a bill, H. B. 2470, to provide protection for breeding dogs in commercial kennels. The first hearings on the bill were held February 23 by the House Committee on Consumer Protection.
In addition to mandating minimum living conditions, the bill restricts the size of commercial breeding kennels to a maximum of 25 unaltered dogs four months or older. It also protects consumers with a tracking system which give buyers of sick or deformed animals a way to recover damages if the seller did not disclose congenital defects at the time of purchase.
Click here to view a link to the bill - > http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measures/hb2400.dir/hb2470.intro.html.
For more details concerning this legislation, we invite you to read the article, "Oregon puppy mill hearing draws huge crowd" - > http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/401220_puppymill25.html.
14. PENNSYLVANIA. With a vote of 192 for and 0 against, House Bill 39, amending Pennsylvania's Crimes Code for animal cruelty and introduced by Representative Tom Caltagirone(D-Berks), passed in today's session. The proposed legislation will impose criminal penalties for specific medical procedures if not performed by a licensed veterinarian including debarking, c-section births and tail docking. The act of ear cropping by anyone other than a vet is already prohibited in Pennsylvania.The legislation now heads for the Senate.15. TENNESSEE. State lawmakers are trying diligently to curb bad breeding operations by regulating breeders and creating an inspection process. H.B. 386 (Sontany & Maggart)/S.B. 258 (Jackson) are bills intended to put an end to what many call puppy mills. The proposed legislation would require any breeder with more than 20 animals to pay a $500 licensing fee to the state. If you have more than 40, it goes up to $1,000. Commercial breeders would be required to comply with a mandatory inspection and licensing program administered by the Dept of Agriculture and meet a minimum standard of care and housing.
For more information, we invite you to view the article, "Senator Hopes Legislation Ends Puppy Mills" - > http://www.wsmv.com/video/18661052/index.html.
Also, H.B. 1433 (Sontany)/S.B. 1322 (Berke) would prohibit public animal sales (parking lots and roadside sales) and provide restrictions on companion animals sold at flea markets. The proposed legislation would also prohibit the use of any live animal as a prize in a contest, raffle, or promotion.
16. WASHINGTON. In the wake of the recent seizures of hundreds of sick or neglected dogs from alleged puppy mill operations in Skagit and Snohomish counties, state lawmakers are considering a bill that would regulate breeders who own a large number of dogs. A Senate committee on Monday discussed the bill, which would provide "humanitarian requirements for certain dog breeding practices" by limiting breeders to keeping a maximum of 25 dogs at any one location and also by setting strict guidelines for the housing and care of the animals.
For more details concerning this legislation, we invite you to read the article, "Lawmakers Consider Bill Targeting Puppy Mills - > http://www.komonews.com/news/39342082.html.
17. WISCONSIN. We invite you to read the following article in this past weekend's issue of The Isthmus regarding the growing problem of commercial breeding kennels in Wisconsin - http://www.isthmus.com/isthmus/article.php?article=25284. Your feedback to the reporter - http://www.isthmus.com/utility/emailAuthor.php?author=41 - is encouraged and welcomed!
Also, don't forget that the next scheduled Buckeye Dog Auction is expected to take place on Saturday, March 21, 2009. Additional details regarding this event (as they become available) will be posted to the Home page of www.BanOhioDogAuctions.com.
Let's hope these small but important steps will help set the tone as a model for other states, causing a ripple effect of positive change benefiting companion animals.
Mary O'Connor-Shaver
Columbus Top Dogs
http://www.columbustopdogs.com/
http://www.banohiodogauctions.com/
http://thoughtsfurpaws.com/
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Danger with Kids & Dogs
Please read!!!
If you are an owner of a dog that belongs to a 'dangerous breed' category and you also have a small child please take this as a warning. Don't leave your dog with the child unattended under any circumstances.
Only a little moment was enough for the following to happen. See photo below:
If you are an owner of a dog that belongs to a 'dangerous breed' category and you also have a small child please take this as a warning. Don't leave your dog with the child unattended under any circumstances.
Only a little moment was enough for the following to happen. See photo below:
Ohio Statewide Ban on Dog Auctions
Below is an update from Mary O'Conner-Shaver of Columbus Top Dogs on the efforts to raise awareness of Ohio dog auctions and puppy mills:
March 6, 2009
Dear Companion Pet Lovers ~
I wanted to share with you some important updates on our efforts to raise awareness of Ohio dog auctions, puppy mills, pet stores and the entities that support and keep them in business:
Update on Statewide Ban on Dog Auctions. The amount of positive feedback we have received as a result of The Columbus Dispatch article, ("Animal Advocates may push for ban on dog auctions" - http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/02/28/new_puppy.html?sid=101) has been OVERWHELMING, to say the least. So much so that the "kingpin" of the Ohio Amish commercial breeding community, Ervin Raber, has expressed strong interest in meeting with supporters from BanOhioDogAuctions.com ASAP.
(Just so you're aware, I also had the good fortune to work closely with this reporter, Holly Zachariah, as she gathered data for this excellent article on Ohio puppy mills and dog auctions published in 2007- > http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2007/04/22/AMISHDOG.ART_ART_04-22-07_C1_US6F8H9.html.)
March 21 Buckeye Dog Auction. Ironically, March 21, is also the date of the 'Amish Country Quilt Show' sponsored by the Holmes County Expo Center - http://www.amishcountryquiltshow.com/. (As might be expected, a tour of commercial dog breeding kennels is not expected to be a part of this event!).
Since the publishing of Holly's article last Sunday, many people have expressed strong interest in holding a peaceful rally against the next auction at the entranceway to the Expo Center (this was actually the location of the Buckeye Dog Auctions prior to moving to their new location in Farmerstown). It has been confirmed that the Sheriff directs traffic for all the large events (of which the Quilt Show is one), and route 39 is quite wide in that area, so rally attendees would be able to pull off to the side of the road to park.
We recognize this may be a very busy weekend for everyone, so to ensure this rally would be planned strategically and efficiently as possible, please RSVP by 5 PM on Sunday, March 8, 2009 if you (or members of your group) would be interested in attending this rally! Ideally, for this event to be truely effective, we would like to have a MINIMUM of 24 attendees.
Thanks again for all your dedication to serving as a strong voice for the animals!
Mary O'Connor-Shaver
Columbus Top Dogs
http://www.columbustopdogs.com/
http://www.banohiodogauctions.com/
http://thoughtsfurpaws.com/
LEGISLATIVE ALERTS: Please visit our Home page for pending legislation impacting the welfare of OH animals - http://www.columbustopdogs.com/
March 6, 2009
Dear Companion Pet Lovers ~
I wanted to share with you some important updates on our efforts to raise awareness of Ohio dog auctions, puppy mills, pet stores and the entities that support and keep them in business:
Update on Statewide Ban on Dog Auctions. The amount of positive feedback we have received as a result of The Columbus Dispatch article, ("Animal Advocates may push for ban on dog auctions" - http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/02/28/new_puppy.html?sid=101) has been OVERWHELMING, to say the least. So much so that the "kingpin" of the Ohio Amish commercial breeding community, Ervin Raber, has expressed strong interest in meeting with supporters from BanOhioDogAuctions.com ASAP.
(Just so you're aware, I also had the good fortune to work closely with this reporter, Holly Zachariah, as she gathered data for this excellent article on Ohio puppy mills and dog auctions published in 2007- > http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2007/04/22/AMISHDOG.ART_ART_04-22-07_C1_US6F8H9.html.)
March 21 Buckeye Dog Auction. Ironically, March 21, is also the date of the 'Amish Country Quilt Show' sponsored by the Holmes County Expo Center - http://www.amishcountryquiltshow.com/. (As might be expected, a tour of commercial dog breeding kennels is not expected to be a part of this event!).
Since the publishing of Holly's article last Sunday, many people have expressed strong interest in holding a peaceful rally against the next auction at the entranceway to the Expo Center (this was actually the location of the Buckeye Dog Auctions prior to moving to their new location in Farmerstown). It has been confirmed that the Sheriff directs traffic for all the large events (of which the Quilt Show is one), and route 39 is quite wide in that area, so rally attendees would be able to pull off to the side of the road to park.
We recognize this may be a very busy weekend for everyone, so to ensure this rally would be planned strategically and efficiently as possible, please RSVP by 5 PM on Sunday, March 8, 2009 if you (or members of your group) would be interested in attending this rally! Ideally, for this event to be truely effective, we would like to have a MINIMUM of 24 attendees.
Thanks again for all your dedication to serving as a strong voice for the animals!
Mary O'Connor-Shaver
Columbus Top Dogs
http://www.columbustopdogs.com/
http://www.banohiodogauctions.com/
http://thoughtsfurpaws.com/
LEGISLATIVE ALERTS: Please visit our Home page for pending legislation impacting the welfare of OH animals - http://www.columbustopdogs.com/
Friday, March 6, 2009
Dog Debate: How To Best Euthanize
I found this article on the Athens News website. I thought it might be of interest to people who are working hard to eliminate gas chambers. Every voice that's heard is one step closer to a more humane euthanasia.
Please visit:
http://athensnews.com/news/local/2009/mar/05/dog-debate-how-best-euthanize/
Please visit:
http://athensnews.com/news/local/2009/mar/05/dog-debate-how-best-euthanize/
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Los Angeles Pet Store Goes Humane
Elaine’s Pet Depot in Los Angeles Agrees to Convert into
Rescue Center for Abandoned Animals
(Los Angeles, CA) - The Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) is pleased to announce that after five weeks of protests by animal welfare activists at Elaine’s Pet Depot in Los Angeles, the store has decided to convert to a new business model as a rescue center for abandoned animals. Elaine Binner, owner of Elaine’s Pet Depot, signed an alliance agreement and relinquished her puppies to Chance and Jocelyn White, co-founders of Good Dog Animal Rescue.
A group of Los Angeles activists organized by Carole Raphaelle Davis and Carole Sax conducted an investigation of the puppy mills that supply the Pet Depot Chain of franchise pet stores. The acquired evidence revealed that the puppies sold in the store were from inhumane commercial breeding facilities in the Midwest. Two other franchises of the Pet Depot Chain “Kirby’s Pet Depot” of Simi Valley and “Judy’s Pet Depot” of Westwood have also converted to the humane model and are currently holding adoptions.
“The evidence from Minnesota, Missouri and Oklahoma were enough to convince shoppers to not contribute to this sort of animal abuse. The parent dogs are suffering in USDA licensed facilities that are puppy mills. Right now, these dogs are exposed to extreme temperatures, confined to small enclosures and are being used like breeding machines. We are very happy that Elaine’s Pet Depot is going to be a place where shelter animals can now be adopted into loving homes. There truly is a rescue revolution taking place in the hearts and minds of consumers and as more and more pet shops join the rescue revolution to become rescue centers, consumers, retailers and animals will all benefit.
During this historic economic crisis, it is especially unethical to breed, sell or buy a pet while five million companion animals are killed in our nation's shelter system every year. The $1000 you would have spent on a dog should be instead given to a family in need. "- Carole Raphaelle Davis, CAPS Los Angeles Director and author of “The Diary of Jinky, Dog of a Hollywood Wife”
“The facts are in; they can’t lie anymore. We have the proof, photos and video footage from the mills where she bought the dogs. She had no choice but to go humane because she knew we were never going to go away. We have a wonderful group of loyal supporters in the fight against puppy mills and the pet stores that keep them in business.”
- Carole Sax, CAPS Volunteer/Coordinator
The Companion Animal Protection Society commends Elaine’s Pet Depot for helping the fight against puppy mills. Elaine’s Pet Depot is following the great example set by Judy’s Pet Depot part of the Pet Depot store chains. “When there are no longer any animals being euthanized at the shelters and the last dog has been adopted from rescue groups, then maybe people can think about selling an animal from a reputable breeder…” - Judy Robertson, Owner of Judy’s Pet depot
For more information please visit http://www.caps-web.org/.
###
About:
The Companion Animal Protection Society is the only national nonprofit dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals, CAPS' foremost concern is the abuse and suffering of pet shop and puppy mill dogs. Founded in 1992, CAPS actively addresses this issue through investigations, education, media relations, legislative involvement, puppy mill dog rescues, consumer assistance, and pet shop employee relations.
Rescue Center for Abandoned Animals
(Los Angeles, CA) - The Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) is pleased to announce that after five weeks of protests by animal welfare activists at Elaine’s Pet Depot in Los Angeles, the store has decided to convert to a new business model as a rescue center for abandoned animals. Elaine Binner, owner of Elaine’s Pet Depot, signed an alliance agreement and relinquished her puppies to Chance and Jocelyn White, co-founders of Good Dog Animal Rescue.
A group of Los Angeles activists organized by Carole Raphaelle Davis and Carole Sax conducted an investigation of the puppy mills that supply the Pet Depot Chain of franchise pet stores. The acquired evidence revealed that the puppies sold in the store were from inhumane commercial breeding facilities in the Midwest. Two other franchises of the Pet Depot Chain “Kirby’s Pet Depot” of Simi Valley and “Judy’s Pet Depot” of Westwood have also converted to the humane model and are currently holding adoptions.
“The evidence from Minnesota, Missouri and Oklahoma were enough to convince shoppers to not contribute to this sort of animal abuse. The parent dogs are suffering in USDA licensed facilities that are puppy mills. Right now, these dogs are exposed to extreme temperatures, confined to small enclosures and are being used like breeding machines. We are very happy that Elaine’s Pet Depot is going to be a place where shelter animals can now be adopted into loving homes. There truly is a rescue revolution taking place in the hearts and minds of consumers and as more and more pet shops join the rescue revolution to become rescue centers, consumers, retailers and animals will all benefit.
During this historic economic crisis, it is especially unethical to breed, sell or buy a pet while five million companion animals are killed in our nation's shelter system every year. The $1000 you would have spent on a dog should be instead given to a family in need. "- Carole Raphaelle Davis, CAPS Los Angeles Director and author of “The Diary of Jinky, Dog of a Hollywood Wife”
“The facts are in; they can’t lie anymore. We have the proof, photos and video footage from the mills where she bought the dogs. She had no choice but to go humane because she knew we were never going to go away. We have a wonderful group of loyal supporters in the fight against puppy mills and the pet stores that keep them in business.”
- Carole Sax, CAPS Volunteer/Coordinator
The Companion Animal Protection Society commends Elaine’s Pet Depot for helping the fight against puppy mills. Elaine’s Pet Depot is following the great example set by Judy’s Pet Depot part of the Pet Depot store chains. “When there are no longer any animals being euthanized at the shelters and the last dog has been adopted from rescue groups, then maybe people can think about selling an animal from a reputable breeder…” - Judy Robertson, Owner of Judy’s Pet depot
For more information please visit http://www.caps-web.org/.
###
About:
The Companion Animal Protection Society is the only national nonprofit dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals, CAPS' foremost concern is the abuse and suffering of pet shop and puppy mill dogs. Founded in 1992, CAPS actively addresses this issue through investigations, education, media relations, legislative involvement, puppy mill dog rescues, consumer assistance, and pet shop employee relations.
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