Animal Advocacy Day Helps Protect our Pets

Animal rescue groups, humane societies, and animal supporters gathered in the Legislative Office Building in Albany, New York yesterday to lobby legislators to raise awareness for our companion animals and the need for stronger laws to protect them.

Senator Ball and Assemblyman Tedisco

 Among the animals in attendance:
*Hudson and Pearl, two pitbulls who had been found by the railroad tracks, possibly after having been nailed to a board, resulting in one pup requiring an artificial paw.

Thanks to a skilled veterinarian, Hudson's special hind paw.

 * Phoenix, a Jack Russel who had been set on fire by a teenager in Buffalo.

* Queenie, a chihuahua who had been brutally de-vocalized

(L) Queenie with mom Michele Riggi, and (R) Phoenix with his mom.

Fortunately, these animals have happier endings, as caring people have stepped in to save them, heal them and love them.

Incidents like these happen far too often. New York already has some strong animal cruelty laws. It is one of the first states to have an animal cruelty felony bill, up to 2 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. But there is more to be done. Assemblyman Jim Tedisco and Senator Greg Ball created Animal Advocacy Day three years ago to help bring awareness to laws that help prevent animal cruelty. They urge increased penalties for animal abuse, a bill for a animal abuser registry, including a mandated psychiatric evaluation, and stronger puppy mill legislation.

Assemblyman Tedisco's corgi Gracie.

Local News 10 Pet Connection's Steve Caporizzo also spoke out strongly against puppy mills, saying puppy mills are "disgusting and make you sick.  Puppy mills are moving into New York and we don't even know it." He was recently involved in a rescue of dozens of puppies from an Amish puppy mill.

Pet Connection's Steve Caporizzo

Tables of organizations lined the room, including one with a miniature horse wearing a banner, "Not intended for Human Consumption."

Notice the horse's adorable sneakers!

A written statement from Bob Barker stated that the humane treatment of animals is a matter of integrity. He impressed that we are their stewards, and called for a more compassionate, responsible world. His remarks ended with "and remember to spay and neuter your pets."

I appreciated learning about the various bills. Animal abuse in any form is not acceptable. I add my voice to urge our legislators to pass these bills and help protect our animals.

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Wednesday Pet Roundup

Hi and welcome to Wednesday Pet Roundup! Kelly is sitting around waiting for the grass to grow.  And instead of watching the grass grow, how about checking out some of these newsy links?


* According to Forbes, the average family spends more on their pets than on a child's K-12 education.

* How do you select your pet? Mother Nature Network reveals that most people choose their pet based on appearance. Check out one shelter's system for making good matches.

* From Boston.com: Meow the cat weighs 40 lbs. That's more than my dog Kelly weighs!

* Dog crate on the car roof? The Huffington Post reveals some other unfathomable means of transporting dogs in cars in the past...including strapping them in a sack on the running board.

* Also from the Huff Post, pet stores in LA may soon be required to sell only rescue dogs, cats, rabbits if the new bill passes. Take that, puppy mills!

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Co-Founder of Petfinder Barks Back!

Today I am honored to have as my guest Betsy Banks Saul, co-founder of Petfinder.com.

There probably isn't a pet lover around, with access to a computer, who hasn't heard of Petfinder. Founded 15 years ago, it is now the go-to site for bringing people together with their furever friend. I am delighted that I found Kelly through Petfinder! I think back to how we got our pets when I was a kid.  Some people bought a purebred dog from a responsible breeder. But more often than not, the people I knew got a puppy or kitten from some neighbor whose dog had a litter, because in those days the dogs and cats almost all ran loose, and almost none were fixed.

Today we know a lot more about responsible pet ownership and overpopulation. Most people I know have their pet spayed or neutered. And most people know about the horrible, inhumane conditions of puppy mills and pet farming. However, many people are still purchasing puppies from pet stores.

A recent press release that arrived in my mailbox posed the question: Does the average American family realize that the “doggy in the window” most likely comes from a Puppy Mill? Do they know the repercussions when they choose to purchase a puppy from a pet store? I asked Betsy about this as we talked on the phone last week.

Me: Where are most people getting their pets today?

BBS: We all know that puppy mills are bad and adoption is good, yet less than 25% of pets coming into homes come from shelters. People walk by a pet shop in the mall and see that furry face in the window and they want to buy it now. Even people who are committed to animal welfare may see that adorable puppy in the cage and fall in love.

Me: How can people tell that the pet they are buying comes from a puppy mill?

BBS: Many pet stores have signs in front that say "Our Puppies are Not From Puppy Mills" but in the vast majority of cases that is so not true! How do we know? Because a responsible breeder would not sell to just anyone. They would want to interview you. They would want to ask you questions about things such as how much time you would be home and what your yard is like. What responsible breeder would not want to meet the potential pet parents?

Me: Some people feel that by purchasing a pet shop puppy, they are at least saving one life. While admirable, is this misguided?

BBS: Unfortunately, yes. They may be giving that dog a better home than it knew before. But they are perpetuating a terrible, terrible industry. In addition, puppy mills produce pets that are more chronically afflicted with disease and socialization issues.

Me: How can we understand why puppy mills continue to exist? Why are they legal in some states?

BBS: The reason puppy mills exist is because they are profitable. Look at proposed laws aiming to regulate conditions and standards for dog breeding, such as Proposition B in Missouri. Who was against it? Pet industry brokering and shipping companies, and also the agricultural community feared that this would be a gateway for regulations for all of agriculture.

Me: What can we do?

BBS:  1. Don't shop for pets in pet stores.
2. Spread the word.
3. Adopt a shelter pet.
4. Consider fostering a pet.
5. If you're on Twitter, tweet about an adoptable pet on Petfinder on Tweet a Pet Tuesday.

Me: Thank you Betsy for joining us today, and helping shed some light on this problem. As you know, Petfinder is where I got my dog Kelly and she's been the best friend ever! I hope everyone who is looking to add a cat or dog or other pet to their family will look into Petfinder.

With 181,000 homeless dogs on Petfinder.com right now, there are many options for people who want a family pet. Simply type in your zip code and the criteria you are looking for – whether it’s a purebred, a large dog, an older pet with special needs or a young pup who is house-trained – Petfinder.com will show you all potential canine companions who are in need of homes starting with those closest to you.

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Blog the Change, Just say NO to Puppy Mills

Blog the Change!

October is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month, and Peggy's Pet Place, along with dozens of blogging friends and the rest of the staff at Be the Change for Animals, have decided this is the perfect time to help spread the word about PUPPY MILLS.
 
 We all know that puppy mills are bad and adoptions are good, yet statistics are dire. Recently, I spoke with Betsy Banks Saul, co-founder of Petfinder.com, and she told me that less than 25% of the pets coming into homes in the U.S. come from shelters. What the bark?!

Puppy mills keep dogs in small cages without human contact or socialization, keep females pregnant producing litter after litter, often feed poor quality food and provide inadequate medical care. Puppy mill puppies are more chronically afflicted with disease and socialization issues.We all know that dogs are a part of the family, NOT livestock, or worse.

Knowledge is spreading about the inhumane and horrendous practices of puppy mills, but there is still much work to be done. Here is one way you can help:


 On September 9, Petland Canada announced that they would no longer sell puppies and kittens in their stores. But Petland USA has yet to reach this conclusion. Mary Haight, of Dancing Dog blog, did a little investigative journalism and discovered that,
           "Investigators visited Petland’s breeders to check living conditions and found that most had hundreds of cages of
dogs that were never walked or socialized, stinking of urine,
living lives of desperation."

Please join in and save lives. Sign the petition to ask Petland USA to STOP selling pets! 

All of the dogs pictured are adoptable pets, waiting for their furever home, and can be found on Petfinder.com.

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