I’m watching the last part of today’s Oprah’s show – the one about puppy mills. I’ve only been able to see the last half but I found myself in tears a few times. Some of those tears were due to touching stories of dogs being adopted and others were because of the beautiful pets they showed that were killed because they were unwanted.
Oprah says she’s a changed woman and from now on she’ll look to a shelter or rescue group when she decides to adopt another pet. Hopefully she’ll convince some other people to do the same. Given the fact that she is such a powerful woman and has so many die-hard fans, I’m hoping against hope that her show will help bring about some changes in attitude and laws. Time will tell…but in the meantime we can be sure more dogs will be bred in puppy mills, and many more will be killed because nobody wants them.
So, did you watch the show? What were your thoughts?
Technorati Tags: Oprah Winfrey, puppy mills, dogs
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I couldn’t do it.. I can’t watch that… being super sensitive it just sends me over the edge.
As an animal advocate who lives one short hour outside of Lancaster PA and sees information about puppy mill atrocities on a daily basis, I highly encourage everyone to WATCH THIS SHOW.
As consumers, YOU DO have the power to help the plight of the tens of thousands of puppy mill breeder dogs trapped in the mills.
NEVER BUY FROM A STORE THAT SELLS COMPANION ANIMALS. Don’t buy your food or supplies there and tell your friends and family to do the same. Send a strong message to the pet shop profiteers: if they insist and continue to exploit animals for profit, animal lovers will see to it that they have NO profits at all.
Take the time to write to your state representative and senator and DEMAND they pass legislation that will protect ALL companion animals.
From protecting our borders to guiding the blind, dogs are marvelous companions and deserve better. Please do your part and HELP THE DOGS.
Give Hope to the Mill Dogs
BOYCOTT STORES THAT SELL PUPPIES!
North Penn Puppy Mill Watch
Visit Us Online: nppmwatch.com
When I heard that she was going to do this, one part of me was jumping with glee and the other part said “why didn’t you do this sooner?!?!” Well the point of this was to let people know the reality of puppy mills. I was really glad that talked they about what it’s like for animals that are in shelters and how they have to euthanize many animals every day because there are simply not enough homes for them and a lot of other reasons. I know I’m preaching to the choir here but of all the issues and topics Oprah could present on her show this one by far was the best one she could do when it comes to animals. I am just so happy that millions more people are educated about the plight of animals in this country and will think twice about getting an animal from a pet store.
Yes, I watched it and I agree with you. Oprah is a powerful woman and hundreds of thousands of people listen to her, so let’s hope this is just the beginning of another level of awareness sweeping over the general population. This had to be an eye opener for many who probably didn’t even know what puppy mills were! Puppy mills need to be illegal, NOW!
FYI: I had to post about this as well because Bill Smith is my new hero! What an amazing, inspirational man. I’m so thankful that people like him exist in our world.
http://verysupercool.com/2008/04/05/bill-smith-is-my-new-hero/
The AKC has written a publicized a powerful response to this important program. I hope it’s not too long . . . but thought others would be interested in seeing it.
RONALD H. MENAKER
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
DENNIS B. SPRUNG
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
April 4, 2008
Ms. Oprah Winfrey
The Oprah Winfrey Show
110 N. Carpenter Street
Chicago, IL 60607
Dear Ms. Winfrey:
Thank you for your informative show today. We are very pleased that a renowned dog lover such as you has taken on the issue of unregulated dog breeders – an issue we work towards addressing on a daily basis.
The American Kennel Club has always been a strong proponent of responsible breeding, which entails giving careful consideration to health issues, temperament and genetic screening, as well as to the individual care and placement of puppies in responsible homes. AKC supports and promotes these and other responsible breeding practices through numerous educational programs.
In addition to raising awareness, we have long invested significant resources to direc tly address the issue of canine welfare. In 2007, our team of 15 inspectors visited over 5,600 kennels throughout the country. AKC spends over $6 million each year to inspect our customers, thereby ensuring the integrity of our registry and the proper care and conditions for dogs registered with us. In fact, of over 35 U.S. “registries” we are the only one to conduct inspections, as well as being the only not-for-profit all-breed registry in the nation. AKC is continually raising the bar. When our inspectors find kennels that do not meet our progressive standards, they educate those breeders. Those not willing to come into compliance are suspended of their AKC registration privileges and proper authorities are alerted in cases of neglect.
Unfortunately, there are many breeders who choose NOT to register with us specifically because of our high standards, and once they are no longer being inspected by the AKC, there is often very little oversight from state or federal entities. AKC supports scrupulous enforcement of the federal Animal Welfare Act, and state and local regulations governing the humane care of animals. We also voice support for more resources to be allotted to the USDA and other enforcement agencies to ensure that current regulations are met.
AKC’s 5,000 affiliated clubs nationwide are comprised of people who dedicate their lives – emotionally and financially – to improving their breeds and to providing healthy, happy pets. We would like to work with you to further educate the American public about how to identify a responsible breeder and hope you will call on us when addressing this topic in the future.
Again, thank you for raising awareness of this important issue. Your support is invaluable to all dogs and their devoted owners.
Sincerely,
Ronald H. Menaker Dennis B. Sprung
Chairman of the Board President and CEO
I started watching it and just couldn’t finish it. I’ve seen the breeding stock from one puppy mill that was closed down and I’ve never been able to forget those poor dogs.
I’m glad she aired the show though. I hope the public will understand what we’re crying about and maybe with enough public pressure, something will be done.
I do hope the AKC will realize their responsibility, but I don’t really have much hope in spite of what their PR tells us.
If AKC really cared, they wouldn’t allow puppy mill pups to be AKC registered.
However, when you see AKC papers on a pet store puppy, that is pretty much a guarantee that the puppy is from a puppy mill. MOST OF THE DOGS REGISTERED WITH THE AKC COME FROM PUPPY MILLS.
AKC is only a breed registry, so any “pure bred” dog, regardless of how poorly bred, can be registered… often with fake breeding history in the case of puppy mill puppies. Many people realize, as their pet store puppies grow up, that they clearly aren’t even the right breed of dog (usually mixed breeds), even though they are registered with the AKC.
When you consider that the AKC makes money per dog they register (something like $25 per head), you can see how they would be willing to overlook the appalling conditions these dogs suffer through….especially since they don’t inspect the actual facilities in most cases.
Sadly though, if they DO inspect the puppy mill facilities, and even when they pull their support of a particular breeder, the puppy millers just create their own “breed registries”.
I do rescue I foster these dogs that come from puppymills and bad breeders.
I do lots of special needs pups from blind,deaf, bad legs and old breeders that are just used up. What oprahs show did is just the surface of the puppymill and homeless pets . When you see so many dogs walk that dark lonely hallway to a cold room and take that last breath we as humans need to do more that sit on our ass and say the show made me cry.
Get up call your local shelter vol. your time walking these dogs. It will make you feel good to help . And just maybe you will fall in love with a rescue pet and give that furkids a forever home .
Amen ..Sara I agree wholeheartedly with you .If these mills were in fact inspected they would never pass AKC’s so called standards.But is Akc’s standards merely that the dogs be the same breed???Certainly seems that way.Perhaps AKC should start adopting and enforcing the same high standards that responsinble and reputable breeders have. A responsible breeder would never associate themselves in any way with irresponsible breeding ,so why does AKC? The sad part is the fact that the pups being sold are AKC is exactly what sells these dogs and the uneducated unknowing public rely on that as a guarantee that they are getting a well bred dog. I think its sadder that they are lied to by the pet stores and so misinformed. I often wonder how AKC can be a part of this travesty.How they can put their stamp of approval on these poor pups.Let’s hope Oprah set the ball rolling to put these puppy mills out of business and put an end to such cruelty.And we can all start by not patronizing pet stores who sell pets in “ANY” way .By patronizing these stores we are helping keep puppy mills in business.