Sad Statistics

Approximately 15 million dogs are either turned out as strays or released to animal welfare agencies by their owners in the US each year. (Tuber et al. 379)

Driving down one of the highways in Freeport Florida, a rusted red pick up truck had Rocky, a 9 year old German Shepherd, chained to the bed of the truck. Rocky’s owners did not care about him or treat him with the respect all living animals should have, because when the hatch to the truck fell open along with Rocky, he was dragged unknowingly down the highway. He was left at the gates of an animal refuge because his owners did not want him back with his injuries that they caused the moment they decided to chain him to the back of the truck. X- Rays showed a history of abuse, including scarring and broken bones that had healed after being neglected. Furthermore, there was evidence of leaving Rocky in the backyard with severe matting and fleas to support this. I share this story to show that Rocky is one of those 15 million strays that need our help.

Instead of buying from one of the 10,000 puppy mills in America, adopt a rescue dog.

Adopt a rescue dog because purchasing from a pet store is encouraging more breeding, which leads to more killing. The conditions in puppy mills are horrific. The cages are stacked on top of each other to create more space with animals dropping on the ones below. This cycle creates parasites along with poor environmental conditions. Puppy mill dogs receive slim to none veterinarian care and are fed rarely. When they are, it is with poor quality food. The mothers are bred at every heat cycle, usually starting at 6 months of age. Once their weak bodies can no longer hold children they are seen as a halting profit for the breeders. They are considered a “drain on the mill” and discarded usually by age 5. Puppies are taken from the sickly and malnourished mothers and shipped to one of the 10,000 puppy mills across America. (ISAR) For transportation the puppies are shoved into crates again with little care, food, or water, thus, creating an opportunity for the events of August 2006 where

A truck carrying 60 puppies from Missouri to East Coast pet shops caught on fire, killing all 60 puppies. (ISAR)

Does it take a tragedy to be heard? NO! It does not have to be that way. According to the International Society for Animal Rights website, their message has been heard. For years they have encouraged the boycott of pet stores that sell animals. And they are proud to announce that the 3 largest pet shop chains in the United States- PETCO, PetSmart, and Pet Supplies Plus- no longer sell puppies.

According to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, the number of pet stores selling dogs has remained around 3,500, down from approximately 6,000, over the last ten years. (ISAR) So please continue to boycott pet stores that do sell puppies and please adopt a rescue dog instead.