Things were hopping at the Humane Society of Huron Valley this weekend. If this was an article about the expanded communities of which Saline is part, we’d point out the HSHV is only 15 miles northeast of downtown. Think of it as the cultural home for “dog people” in our community. [1,2]
How about Rebel Dogs Detroit? Bill Crispin Chevrolet dealership introduced them to Saline Journal readers during its “Pickups for Paws” event last June? They’ve made incredible strides since our last report here and are well worth a click on their website for current updates. K9 Crusaders continues to have boots on the ground locally in support of placing dogs that have been rescued, seized, and surrendered. [3,4,5,6]
These are important reminders on a day like today.
Each year, the third Saturday in September is recognized as “Puppy Mill Awareness Day.” Quite distinct from the scheduled adoption events held at reputable retailers such as Petco, pet stores are the sort of places you might encounter in a mall setting with permanent cages stocked with dogs inside. And the fact is, 99% of all puppies sold through such outlets come from puppy mills. [7,8]
Most people don’t want to believe it, but the truth is the cute puppies in pet stores come from puppy mills and the mothers are still there, suffering endlessly, forced to produce yet another litter …. If they’re selling puppies on-line to just anyone and willing to ship that puppy, or refuse to show you where the puppy was born and raised, that’s a puppy mill. No responsible breeder would do that. Yet many consumers are hooked by the irresistible photos of adorable puppies and are willing to live in denial, even convincing themselves that at least they ‘saved’ the puppy from the mill. The truth is, your purchase perpetuates the cruelty.
Additional, irrefutable details are provided on their website. But we’ll limit the discussion here to the statistics as a more humane way (for our readers’ eyes) to tell the story. It is estimated that 800,000 adult dogs are currenly being used in the United States as production servants to this end. Every seven days, an estimated 40,000 puppies will be born in such places.
Sadly, the conditions outted by National Puppymill Project exist in businesses that operate within the letter of the law. An estimated 167,388 breeding dogs are being used right now in US Department of Agriculture-licensed commercial facilities. Well-meaning as efforts to change legislation and picket outside facilities may sound, the immediate, a far simpler answer is right in front of you. [9]
Don’t buy from pet stores. Without customers, they’ll go out of business. Without pet stores to supply, puppy mills will follow, dropping out of the picture.
Better still, redirecting pursuits away from the above in favor of shelters and rescues such as those named above, and Michigan Humane Society statewide, likely means a much broader choice for those looking to add love-wrapped-in-fur to their homes. Purebreds and mixes, large and small, demure and those who’ll help pace your training for the next marathon run — as well as young and somewhat older dogs — were all seen by Saline Journal today as part of our research for this article. [10,11]
Is this too little notice for taking action today? No worries. Humane Society of Huron Valley will up its game yet again this upcoming Friday, September 21 with the arrival of the next “Love Train.” No slick advertising, but expect a lot of wet noses. [12]
References
- Humane Society of Huron Valley (home).
- “Spectators Saw Dogs Fly at Humane Society of Huron Valley Annual Walk & Wag Fundraiser This Year” Dell Deaton (May 20, 2018) Saline Journal.
- Rebel Dogs Detroit (home page).
- Bill Crispin Chevrolet (home page).
- “Here’s Why Saline Was The Right Place At The Right Time For A Successful Dog Adoption Event At Bill Crispin Chevrolet” Janet Deaton (June 20, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “You Can Still Make Donations to K9 Crusaders for Hurricane Relief” Janet Deaton (October 7, 2017) Saline Journal.
- Petco (home page).
- National Puppymill Project (home page).
- “About Puppy Mills: Puppy Mill Statistics” The Puppy Mill Project.
- Michigan Humane Society (home page).
- “Pet Statistics: Facts about US Animal Shelters” American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
- “Love Train” Humane Society of Huron Valley.
