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From: ahimsa108 group
Date: Sun, 25 May 2008 08:23:55 +0000

DID YOU MISS OPRAH'S PUPPY MILL EPISODE? CATCH IT 5/29!

Thanks to  investigator Lisa Ling, who went undercover into a handful of
Pennsylvania puppy  mills, the April 4 episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show
revealed
to millions of  viewers the horrific abuses that go on in these large-scale
breeding facilities.  This important episode will be shown again next
Thursday,
May 29, 4:00 P.M. EST.

Raising awareness is one of the most important ways to effect change, so
please don't miss your chance to see the realities of this cruel industry.

For more information on what you can do, please read our Top Ten Ways to
Help Fight Puppy Mills. (see below)

10 Ways You Can Help Fight Puppy  Mills 1. Do Not Buy Your Puppy From a Pet
Store!

1. That puppy who charmed you  through the pet shop window has most likely
come
from a large-scale, substandard  commercial breeding facility, commonly
known as a puppy mill. In these  facilities, parent dogs are caged and bred
as often as possible, and give birth  to puppies who could have costly
medical problems you might not become aware of  until after you bring your
new pet home.

2. Make Adoption Your First Option
If you're looking to make a puppy part of your family, check your local
shelters first. Not only will you be saving a life, but you will ensure that
your money is not going to support a puppy mill. There are many dogs waiting
for  homes in shelters all across the country¯and an estimated one in four
is a  purebred! Your second option is breed rescue. If your heart is set on
a specific breed you haven't been able to find in a shelter, you can do an
Internet search  for a breed-specific rescue organization.

3. Know How to Recognize a  Responsible Breeder
If you've exhausted your options for adopting and are  choosing to buy from
a breeder, remember that responsible breeders have their  dogs' interests in
mind. They are not simply interested in making a sale, but in  placing their
pups in good homes. A responsible breeder should screen you as  thoroughly
as you screen them! Read the ASPCA's responsible breeding statement  to find
out more about how a responsible breeder behaves.

4. See Where Your  Puppy Was Born and Bred
One sign that you are speaking to an unscrupulous  breeder is that they will
not let you see the facility in which your puppy was  born. Always ask to
see the breeding premises and to meet both parents (or at  least the mother)
of the puppy you want to take home. You should also ask for an  adoption
contract that explains¯in terms you understand¯the breeder's
responsibilities, health guarantee and return policy.

5. Internet Buyers,  Beware!
Buying a puppy from the Internet is as risky as buying from a pet  store. If
you buy a puppy based on a picture and a phone call, you have no way  of
seeing the puppy's breeding premises or meeting his parents. And those who
sell animals on the Internet are not held to the Animal Welfare Act
regulations¯and so are not inspected by the USDA.

6. Share Your Puppy Mill  Story with the ASPCA
If you have--or think you have--purchased a puppy-mill  puppy, please tell
us your story. Every bit of evidence gives us more power to  get legislation
passed that will ban puppy mills.

7. Speak Out!
Inform  your state and federal legislators that you are disturbed by the
inhumane  treatment of dogs in puppy mills, and would like to see
legislation passed that  ensures that all animals bred to be pets are raised
in healthy conditions. You  can keep up-to-date about current legislation to
ban puppy mills by joining the  ASPCA Advocacy Brigade.

8. Tell Your Friends
If someone you know is  planning on buying a puppy, please direct them to
our puppy mill information at  ASPCA.org. Let them know that there are
perfectly healthy dogs in shelters  waiting to be adopted.

9. Think Globally
Have a webpage, a MySpace page  or a blog? Use these powerful tools to
inform people about puppy mill cruelty by  adding a link to our puppy mill
information at ASPCA.org.

10. Act Locally!  
When people are looking to buy or adopt a pet, they will often ask the
advice of their veterinarian, groomer or pet supply store. Download and
print  our flyers and ask to leave them in the offices of your local
practitioners.  

_http://pets.http://pets.http://pethttp://pets.<WBhttp_ (http
://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Fortheanimals7/join)
_http://www.myspace.http://www.myspaht_
(http://www.myspace.com/fortheanimals7)

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