Main Line Animal Rescue

Today's Oprah was absolutely heart-breaking. I usually avoid such shows like the plague - too sad and emotional for me. Something today, however, compelled me to watch.

I've always heard of "puppy mills" but, admittedly, never took the time to learn much about them. Now, I know and my heart is just sickened. I will never purchase another pet from a store that obtains their animals from such a place and will persuade all of my friends to avoid doing so as well.

Please, please, please visit Bill Smiths' Main Line Animal Rescue webpage and support him and his efforts in whatever way you can.

Facts:

• Adopting from an animal shelter, where one out of every four dogs is a purebred, or from a purebred rescue group, can help stop the puppy mill business.
  
• Puppy mills contribute to millions of unwanted dogs who are euthanized each year in the United States.
  
• About 2,500 of the nation's 9,000 pet stores sell puppies.
  
• The Humane Society of the United States estimates 2 million to 4 million puppy mill puppies are sold annually in the United States.
  
• Mill puppies are more likely to have severe health problems, genetic defects and behavioral issues.
  
• Documented puppy mill conditions include over-breeding, inbreeding, minimal veterinary care, poor food and shelter, crowded cages and lack of socialization.
  
• Dogs kept for breeding in puppy mills suffer for years and are bred as often as possible before they are killed, sold through auction like used cars or abandoned.
  
• Unscrupulous breeders use attractive websites to hide the truth and to dupe the public into thinking that they are dealing with a reputable breeder.
  
• Reputable breeders never sell puppies over the Internet or through a pet store. They will insist on meeting the family who wants to buy the dog.
  

Links to websites with more information:

ASPCA

Lange Foundation