I don't think that we can seriously affect the puppy mills as individuals. Even if every YTer vowed never to purchase another puppy that they could not assure themselves had not come from unfavorable conditions, there will be 2 others to take each of our places.
I believe it has to come from state & federal legislation. So, that being said, how do we affect our state & federal representatives? Do we join with Humane Societies, etc or just individually write to them?
I also think we need facts to back up our arguments & not just emotionalism.
Some already think we are fanatics. We need something that convinces legislators that dogs are not cattle & cannot be raised/or sold as such.
Is there a report somewhere by an animal behaviorist that cites that dogs that are otherwise well cared for are still harmed by lack of human contact? Is it more cruel to have a dog confined to a cage than it is for a horse or cow to be kept in a stall. Are there laws that say a horse or cow has to have a certain amount of room per animal?
I personally find it inhumane to have a dog/puppy confined to a cage inside a barn for its entire life but how can I prove that as a fact?
Is there a good animal rights organization that is making strides in this area that we need to throw our support, both physically and financially, behind.
If I dwell on this situation without trying to do something about it, it would drive me nuts. However, if I just ignore it so it doesn't upset me, then I become part of the problem.
