Wanna Stop Puppy Mills? Adopt!

So who is this Scotlund?

As happens, Scotlund Haisley is a real-life animal rescuer and senior director of Emergency Services for The Humane Society of the United States.

I've been hearing a lot about Puppy Mills in the news recently, and the hundreds of puppies taken from these horrible places. But what are they really going through? Below is a link to some of the stories- try reading Millie's story with a dry eye:

Millie, a 12-year-old Chihuahua, was found wandering along a Virginia road in very poor condition. Her uterus had prolapsed due to multiple pregnancies and deliveries, and was literally protruding outside her body.

She was brought to the nearest animal shelter. The shelter staff noted that Millie was wearing a tag with a USDA breeder's license number on it. She clearly had been used for many years as a breeder dog in a puppy mill, before being abandoned when her body was used up and she could no longer "earn her keep."

Special funding was secured to pay for Millie's uterine surgery, so that she could finally be placed in a loving home. Many people were pulling for her but, unfortunately, it was too late for Millie.

The operating vet discovered extensive tumors throughout her reproductive system, and it was decided that the kindest thing to do would be to not wake her up from surgery. The animal shelter's manager took Millie's ashes home with her. At least in death, Millie will have a real home.

A link to more stories: http://www.stoppuppymills.org/survivor_stories.html

There is no love in these puppy mills, and there is no excuse for it, how we respond to the smallest creatures and their issues is what defines us, it is no longer okay to claim ignorance in these issues.

Are there responsible breeders out there? Sure there are, but with 3 to 4 million healthy cats and dogs euthanized in shelters last year (broken down, that is one animal every nine seconds), why would you shop when you can save a life? Adopt!

Still want that German Shepherd or Chihuahua? Most people don't know that there are rescue groups that are breed specific, there not hard to find. Simply Google the breed then the word rescue and city. And example would be, “Irish wolfhound rescue California” which brings up “Northern California Irish Wolfhound Club” www.nciwc.us. Easy! PetFinder is also a great place to search for specific breeds.

As with any big decision, research any breed before adoption, know what you're getting your self into. Pets cost money, pets need love, care, and your time.

Facts of the Issue:
-Although some of the larger breeders house thousands of dogs in their facilities the average puppy mill will house between 65 and 75 animals, most housed in hutch-style cages with wire floors.
-No states have laws against a breeding kennel legally keeping dozens of dogs in cages for their entire lives, if food, water, and shelter are provided.
-Dogs at puppy mills are often not actually purebred, and the breeders sometimes lie about lineage records.
-Number of animals who have a home that lasts their entire lifetime: only 1 in 3
-Euthanasia in animal shelters is the leading cause of death of healthy dogs and cats.

Jeers of the Issue:
I'm talking about you here PetLand, you and those little shops that sell puppies from breeders in the mall that sell puppies, as well as those Internet and Newspaper ads. You help puppy mills thrive. NO RESPONCABLE BREEDER PUTS THEIR PUPPIES IN A STORE FRONT!

Spot Light Rescuer of the Month:
So today, with a tip of the hat and wag of the tail, I recognize PetFinder as my first Spot Light Rescuer of the Month, because of your dedication to helping animals, you've helped 12 Million animals find homes. You virtually house 297,369 adoptable pets from 12,593 adoption groups in the USA, Canada and Mexico. A big THNAK YOU for all that you do!



Links:
http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-puppy-mills
http://www.novoiceunheard.org/FactSheets.htm
http://www.petfinder.com/
http://www.stoppuppymills.org/

HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website

My Owners (Past and Present)

Gabby

Female
DOB 7/1/2005

Rusty
Male

1/1/2005-4/2/2007





Apolo
Male
DOB 1/1/2004





Tiger Lily
Female
3/21/1994-11/24/08

The Worst Days Ever...

April 2^nd, 2007 was the worst day of my life. I found out my strong, young, beautiful baby boy had Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a mutated virus that caused the sack around his lungs to fill up with fluid, there was no way to save him. To this day, when I trim the orange marigolds around his grave I apologize for not being able to save him. If it were a person, an animal, something I could physically fight to keep his safe, I could do it, but it was out of my hands, and for that I felt useless.

After his death, I spent a lot of time crying myself to sleep, being angry at God for taking my baby boy, and feeling as though I would never be happy again. I felt as though my spirit had died with him.

Slowly a gained it back, but it was all the small things I missed, the pitter patter of little paws on the sliding glass door demanding to be let in and out at least 50 times a day. Or the way he would shine in the sunlight in the middle of summer, like it was he who made the sun shine. I only knew him for a year, but he touched my heart like no other.

Time went on and I had two other cats who needed me, but I shall never forget that orange tabby and what he meant to me.

A year passed to the day and I found myself at the Vet's office trying like crazy to hold myself together as he told me that my smallest gray tabby was not in a good place. Due to a very sore mouth I was being pressured by family to put him down, there was also a possibility that he would stop eating, and I would have no other choice, I suppose I was being selfish, but I didn't want him to die. I broke down, my April 2^nd curse was about to strike again, I knew it was only a matter of time.

He watched quietly from the patio as I dug his grave I was sure he would soon be lying in, but it was not to be, he didn't stop eating, he actually starting eating more, mainly the insides of Hot Dogs and finely chopped chicken breasts.

It was November 24, 2008 before I found myself back at the Vet's office. In a whirl wind of panic, I found myself speeding down the road towards my Vets with my 14 year old tabby in the passenger seat crying like I have never heard her cry before. I comforted her, knowing this would be her last trip to the Vet's office. She was suffering from multiple seizures. I found myself with more strenght then before, I was with her as they “put her to sleep”.

With her death, I didn't get angry or mad, I don't apologize to her, because I was there for her when she needed me, when she came to me for help I was able to respond, she didn't suffer any longer then I could help.

That night alone, I buried her next to Rusty in the spot meant for Apolo.

Because of these bundles of joy, I have found my purpose, my calling in this world. I want to make sure any animal I can reach won't suffer or feel alone or scared. I want to rescue those too old or too sick to be cared for by the rest of the world, they can have there healthy purebreds, I prefer to help those already here rather then spend money on puppy mills.