[animalcraker]

I don't know how posiblie it is for those of you who work with rescues and in shelters, but why not have an adoption event in one of your local malls. You could hand out pamplets on how much those puppys in the window actually cost(for their own healthy care and the contribution to the pet over population. Everyone there is already planing on spending some money so they'd be more likey to donate when they wouldn't normally. You could try to do it one a big sale weekend when people have more money in thier pockets to throw around. There's lots of people there for you to educate, especially since those shoping at the mall are more likey to be less educated about what it is that they are buying. You could contact your local news and get them to help spread the word, they love the cutesy stories. I don't know how expensive it would be to organize but you could work together with a couple rescues/shelters and maybe even some dog clubs. I don't know if this would work, it's just an idea that I'm throwing out there.

[cshellenberger]

Originally Posted by sobreeze

Hey Carla do puppymills realy get farm subsidies. I have a farm and getting help on sheep is like pulling all your teeth out. I did not know puupymills could get help thats not right they are not produesing food just making more unwanted pups . Tell me I heard wrong .

No, you didn't hear wrong, they are entitled to the same start up loans and grants as any livestock farm or zoo and are regulated by the USDA.

In fact, Puppy mills were started as a way for farmers to increase their income post WWII. With the high demand for purebred dogs then it wasa way to supply dogs cheaply. This was the start of our present day attitude of dogs being disposible. PreWWII, pure bred dogs were a status symbol.

Originally Posted by animalcraker

I don't know how posiblie it is for those of you who work with rescues and in shelters, but why not have an adoption event in one of your local malls. You could hand out pamplets on how much those puppys in the window actually cost(for their own healthy care and the contribution to the pet over population. Everyone there is already planing on spending some money so they'd be more likey to donate when they wouldn't normally. You could try to do it one a big sale weekend when people have more money in thier pockets to throw around. There's lots of people there for you to educate, especially since those shoping at the mall are more likey to be less educated about what it is that they are buying. You could contact your local news and get them to help spread the word, they love the cutesy stories. I don't know how expensive it would be to organize but you could work together with a couple rescues/shelters and maybe even some dog clubs. I don't know if this would work, it's just an idea that I'm throwing out there.

We do that here, In fact I'm attending a rescue fair in Temecula on Sunday. I will be ther representing Mastiff Rescue and will be bringing my EB with me. We will have roster of adoptable dogs nad people can fill out volunteer and adoption forms. Our rescue doesn't do 'on site' adoption we have a strict process the helps to fit a dog to the family and includes Home Inspection and referance checks. With any luck I'll be VERY busy doing home inspections the next two months. Oh, there will be a total of ten different rescues and shelters represented.

[DogAdvocat]

Originally Posted by RonE

I believe there is already legislation against crime and abuse of children and spouse.

How's that workin' out?

Actually it works quite well for two reasons - first, the offender can't say that it's his right to abuse because there's no law against it. He may be doing what's wrong, but he knows it's wrong. Second, it gives the rest of us leverage in being able to get something done about it. It may take work to get someone to enforce the law, but at least there is a law to enforce. Some peope just aren't born with ethics, they need to be told what's wrong and unacceptable to those with ethics and morality. If the Golden Rule were enough, then no laws would be needed. Since the Golden Rule has no tangible penalties, then legislation is needed.

[DogAdvocat]

Originally Posted by Laurelin

I talk to people all the time about it. Inform people about puppy mills, and what happens with pet store pups. If they'll take it, offer to help them find a dog if they're looking. If they want a dog from a breeder, tell them how to pick out the best breeders. Give them links to picking out dogs. Inform them of the commitment it takes to own a dog. Talk to them about the issues involved with breeding and the benefits of spaying and neutering pet animals. Practise what you preach. Lead by example. Many people won't listen, but there are those that will and are simply not educated in the matter. Every little bit helps.

I have a friend that loves flat coats and is looking for one in the future but wanted to rescue, so I helped her find a flatcoat rescue... She didn't know there were many in rescues, let alone a rescue less than two hours away. Things like that help a bit. And little bits add up.

Your right, it does, and I'm glad you're doing that. But I've been doing the same thing for 20+ years, and the results aren't enough. Maybe it's a "glass half full vs. half empty" thing, but since failure leads to misery and death, I can't help feeling that education just isn't working fast enough. And lives depend on it working. What's really upsetting is when I run across someone that is proud of the fact that they have brought more dogs into this world than all my educating has prevented. It's just too frustrating, and I don't look forward to another 20 years of the same thing with the same result. The wonderful dogs that couldn't be saved haunt me. They deserve better.

[Chloef_2799]

There are very few pet stores in my city that sell puppis or kittens anymore. More and more are turning to adoption. As in, you ask about purchasing a puppy or kitten and they direct you to a rescue organization like the humane society or we also have PawZ, TLC, jazzpurr, DOGZA and a few others.
ALOT of people ask me about Chloe and Sadie and I alwasy tell them they were rescues and most of them ask me where I got them because they want a dog like them so I tell them about rescues and the humane society and not to buy from a pet store etc etc etc blah blah blah. I think it works though because a police officer stopped me and asked me about Chloe and I gave him the whole story and a few weeks later I saw him and he told me he had gone to the HS and got the perfect dog for his daughter....so I think my way works.

[DogAdvocat]

Originally Posted by lovemachichis

well i was thinking about producing some flyers, or some short literature of some sort, that will contain a link to videos of the puppy mills, and the overcrowded shelters, as well as some information that goes into illicit detail the responsibilities of owning pets, and passing them out at some of the local petshops as well as some of the malls. you know try to catch people before their brains have the impulse of buying a pet, i do feel that alot of pets are impulse buys and that also contributes to alot of shelter drop offs. but im concerned about the legal issues of me ( and others ) standing outside of petstores handing out literature trying to convince people not to buy these pets in an effort to put out the puppy mill and BYB business, but it could also potentially destroy the business of these pet stores and i dont really wanna get sued for killing out some major corporation like Jacks Aquarium (what we have in my town)

What I've found works better is to go with a friend or a relative to a pet store, go inside to see the puppies, and then have a discussion with the friend/relative about puppymills that is loud enough for other store patrons to hear. This way, no one feels attacked, and there really isn't anything they can do about you having a private discussion.

The topics can be about a news report you saw on puppymills, the health aspects of puppymills, and even the health of the puppys in front of you. Sometimes people will join in your discussion, and other times you can just tell that they have gotten the message and are leaving the store because they've learned from you.