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February 21, 2019,
Classified advertising in print newspapers during their financial prominence attracted ads from a wide spectrum.
One of the most substantial ad revenue generating classifieds was the Pet Column.
The initial idea was for an owner to sell their own one or two pets to another pet lover if things were not working out or the owner’s health or situation changed.
At times, pets were even given away for free.
Over time the advertising department management noticed something odd was starting to occur.
The ads in the pet columns were substantially growing in numbers and there was this increasing number of repeat customers who appeared to have far too numerous pets for sale of the same breed in one household.
Then in a few months, they had another litter for sale.
These operations were designated as puppy mills. What is a puppy mill?
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, puppy mills are large commercial breeding operations that supply most pet stores across the United States and contribute heavily to the pet overpopulation problem.
Some may wonder, why in a capitalist society should the commercial breeding of puppies be a problem if there is a large demand.
In puppy mills, dogs can spend most of their lives in cramped cages, with no room to play or exercise. Often times, the water and food provided for the puppies is contaminated and crawling with bugs.
If we were to show you the videos of what happens to puppies in puppy mills, it would be too hard to watch.
There are experts willing to paint an accurate and sad picture for us.
The SPCA is the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
At sfspca.org they explain, “Puppy mills are dog breeding “factories” that put profits ahead of dog welfare. Documented abuse at puppy mills includes forced over-breeding, inbreeding, disease, overcrowding, filth and hunger.
Moms are forced to breed over and over with little, if any, veterinary care. Once they can no longer reproduce, they’re usually killed. This often happens with dogs as young as only four years old. Puppies purchased from puppy mills frequently suffer from severe illness and behavioral problems.”
The Human Society in Central Texas educated, “Each year, approximately 2.7 million animals are euthanized (1.2 million dogs and 1.4 million cats).”
The US Census Bureau reports that in 2014, the city of Chicago had a population of 2,722,389 people.
Could you imagine if every year the entire population of Chicago no longer existed?
We now look to the thoughts from PETA, a group who are people for the ethical treatment of animals.
PETA is based in Norfolk, Virginia, and led by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president.
A nonprofit corporation with nearly 400 employees, it claims that it has 6.5 million members and supporters, in addition to claiming that it is the largest animal rights group in the world. Its slogan is “Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way.”
Regarding puppy mills they enlighten, “Puppy mills are a well-kept secret of the pet-trade industry. They supply animals to pet stores and purebred enthusiasts without any concern for the millions of animals who will die in animal shelters as a result. It’s standard practice for puppy mills to keep animals in cramped, crude, and filthy conditions without proper veterinary care or socialization.”
They add that Undercover investigations of puppy mills have revealed that dogs often had no bedding or protection from the cold or heat and no regular veterinary care even when they were ill.
So if you are a pet lover and desire to add a sweet puppy to your home, how might you be impacted?
At bestfriends.org, a pet advocacy organization, they explain “People don’t realize that when they buy a dog from a pet store or on the Internet, that dog most likely came from a puppy mill, a “factory farm” for dogs.
Even though more and more Americans are taking a stand against them, the U.S. still has about 10,000 puppy mills. Through Best Friends’ puppy mill initiatives, we are working to convince pet stores to offer pets for adoption instead of selling mill-bred pets, educate consumers about puppy mills, and create and lobby for humane legislation.”
So what other options are there to purchasing a pet and providing a loving home for them?
One suggestion is when looking for a puppy, consider a shelter or rescue first.
Very good idea.
There is some really great news that recently occurred in the government halls in Sacramento, California.
If you love our wonderful furry friends, you should read this.
California Kicks Puppy Mills Out of Pet Shops
Social Compassion in Legislation Sponsored Bill Banning the Sale of Mill-Bred Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits goes into effect.
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — A landmark California bill banning the sale of mill-bred dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores will go into effect on January 1. In addition to the ban, AB 485, the Pet Rescue and Adoption Act, authored by Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) and sponsored by California-based political animal advocacy group, Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL), will require that stores offer dogs, cats, and rabbits from shelters and rescue groups. California is the first state in the country to enact a policy of this kind which will eliminate the trafficking of mill-bred animals into California pet stores and save thousands of animals’ lives from euthanasia in California shelters.
The bill comes on the heels of similar local bans approved in various communities throughout California, including some of the first local ordinances in West Hollywood and the City of Los Angeles which were also driven by Social Compassion in Legislation. “When we began the effort to sponsor legislation to codify these local ordinances into state law, many people said it couldn’t be done and the timing was not right,” said Judie Mancuso, Founder and President of Social Compassion in Legislation. “But what we found was not only was the timing right in California, but the timing was also right around the world, as we’ve seen other local jurisdictions and states following suit, including Maryland, as well as the United Kingdom.”
“When we passed the ordinance in the City of Los Angeles, which the California state law is modeled after, we didn’t want to be part of the problem. Now, with the enormous help of Social Compassion in Legislation, we are part of the solution not only in the second largest city in the United States, but in the entire state of California, and around the world,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz.
“This is an exciting day for pets in California,” Assemblymember O’Donnell said. “I am very grateful for the strong support we received from animal-lovers across the state and from Social Compassion in Legislation, the bill’s sponsor. This is a big win for our four-legged friends, of course, but also for California taxpayers who spend more than $250 million annually to house and euthanize animals in our shelters.”
Banning an outdated business practice of selling pets will positively impact our communities, reduce overcrowding in the shelters, and provide more adoption options through rescue partners. Making AB 485 the law was the right and smart business decision for California so that our pets, businesses and taxpayers can benefit. This law will further aid animal welfare agencies in their mission to save more lives.
SOURCE Social Compassion in Legislation
Related Links
http://www.socialcompassioninlegislation.org
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Opening photo pexels.com Yuliya Strizhkina Cartier photo credit
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppy%20mill
https://www.sfspca.org/adoptions/dont-buy-pet/realities-puppy-mills
http://humanesocietycentraltexas.org/adoption-tips
https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/pet-trade/puppy-mills/
https://bestfriends.org/our-work/best-friends-advocacy/ending-puppy-mills
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/where-get-puppy
