Is there a puppy breeding problem in the US? Yes, I think so.
Sadly not every litter of puppies for sale in the US hail from a loving family home environment from knowledgeable breeders. After campaigning against puppy farms in the UK the last few years, I came back to California to only find great numbers of designer puppies and unknown bred dogs being sold online and in pet shops located in high end malls. It's been a surreal experience for me added with a bit of (dog) culture shock at times. The HSUS estimates 30% of dogs in US shelters are pedigrees with a growing number of designer dogs on the rise. It is estimated that 3-4 million dogs and cats are euthanized in the US every year alone. Yes, millions. I'm sadly aware of the staggering number of unwanted pets which are euthanized every year in LA county alone: 70-80,000 dogs and cats. Yeah, I think there is a puppy breeding problem in the US.
Why are so many dogs being euthanized every year in the US?
Simply not enough homes for the amount of dogs being born every year.
Why Prop B in Missouri was important to all dogs in the US
I am a news junkie and therefore a voracious reader about world news and politics so needless to say that the past month I have been engrossed with all the politics taking place across America. It was a very big voting day today in the US - a lot of passionate people out there raising their voice in opposition, support or simply frustration with their vote.
Today was a chance for people in Missouri to raise their voice and speak out against inhumane treatment of dogs in puppy mills and thankfully their voice was heard http://yesonpropb.com We still have a long way to go in America in banning puppy mills altogether but this was a huge win for dogs. I hope we are not only starting a new page for dogs in America by winning this landmark measure with Prop B in Missouri, but writing a new chapter for the rights of our four legged companions in the land of abundance (aka USA). Dogs have become so important in our lives even considering them to be family member therefore I would like to get the ball rolling for their next chapter in our shared future together.
- Eliminate all factory farming dog breeding across the US - no more puppy mills
- National ban on pet stores selling puppies *only allowing pet stores to promote dog rescue, spay & neuter programs and informational days on good breeding practices by responsible breeders
- Hold any US organisation or person(s) who knowingly make revenue from puppy mill pedigree registration accountable
- Hold any person(s) who knowingly create false pedigree papers from puppy mill dogs accountable
- Microchip all dogs
I don't understand why anyone would trust buying a puppy online or from a place where you couldn't see where and how your puppy was raised. I mean if you were going to spend $500-1500 on a new mobile phone or digital camera wouldn't you want to make sure it was coming from a reliable seller? Quality product? Legit? Working? Legal? Comes with a 30-day return policy? I sometimes have doubt that Amazon will get my book order right. So why would someone want to buy a real living and breathing puppy with the click of a button online and have a puppy shipped to their door from Missouri or Texas from unseen conditions of breeding and travel? The world is a strange place but no stranger than the politics that make our country tick.
Whether you voted Democrat or Republican, Independent or checked off that None at All box, remember dogs are the glue that's holding our great country together. It's what's holding US together.
Let's share some mutual respect with our dogs by standing up to cruel and inhumane treatment throughout the US. Get your new senator or congress person to support a national ban on ALL puppy mills. It doesn't matter what party you support or which kind of dog you favour. American pedigrees and mutts all deserve our guardianship don't you think?
Our dogs could offer a lot of practical advice to some of our incoming politicians such as working together in a pack, keeping the eye on the prize and working for that biscuit.
Have a great week everyone.
In dog we trust
Heidi
No comments:
Post a Comment