I'm sorry I missed it! I have a lot of respect for Oprah for doing a follow up. Too many "news" outlets do one story for shock value and never follow up or tell what you can do to help. I too have heard (outside of Oprah) that petshops, puppymillers and BYBs are having trouble moving "product." I wonder if people are just not buying dogs b/c of the economy, or if they really are choosing to adopt or go to good breeders. Either way, it's nice to hear those that take advantage of animals are suffering financially. Because politicians are so indifferent, clueless and/or corrupt, education is the best tool we have. Most of the legislation that deals with puppymills and bybs, have built in loopholes for USDA breeders. As long as these "breeders" can make a profit, they will find ways to get around animal welfare laws. Surprisingly, puppymillers are quite organized and have their own lobbyist. Also, I'm sad to say in the "heartland" many are seen as struggleing farmers and get a lot of support from their representatives. One thing a lot of people don't know is that the puppymill is a creation of our goverment. They encouraged farmers to switch to dog breeding after WWII b/c it was a good "cash crop."
One the first puppymill show, I remember seeing one of the rescue dogs and thinking, that is one pathetic looking Chinese Crested. I too, teared up when they brought the dog out and it was a Maltese! He looked so much like my Bailey it made me feel sick. When they rescued this poor dog he had little to no hair and a few rotten teeth. His previous owner should be shot for treating him that way. |