Puppy Mill Awareness Day
In 2003, a group called Puppy Mill Awareness designated the third Saturday in September as Puppy Mill Awareness Day and started a movement that aims to educate people about the horrors that take place in puppy mills. They launched a website where they wrote about the cruelty that puppy mill dogs are subjected to and even hosted events to spread the ugly truth hidden behind the adorable faces of the puppies we often see in pet stores.
So, if you’re itching to buy that precious little puppy you saw online or at your local pet shop, it’s important that you know what kind of people you’ll be supporting if you make that purchase. Puppy mills care more about the profits than the animals, and we’re sure that’s not a cause you’d want to support. According to ASPCA, there are about 10,000 puppy mills in the United States, and a lot of the pet stores we come across get their animals from these unregulated breeding facilities.
For Puppy Mill Awareness Day, let’s work together to raise awareness about what really happens in Puppy Mills!
What Are Puppy Mills?
Puppy Mills are establishments that breed dogs solely for the purpose of money. Dogs used for breeding are kept away in small, cramped kennels, typically surrounded by their own filth—they’re not cared for, fed well, cleaned after, nor brought to the vet for check-ups. They’re just forced to live out their entire lives producing litter after litter, completely deprived of love and comfort. The worst part is, when they’re no longer strong enough to earn their keep, they’re either killed or tossed away like yesterday’s trash.
Let’s Put a Stop to Puppy Mills!
The reason why puppy mills continue to exist is because of consumer demand. A lot of people still have no idea what puppy mills are and that most pet stores get their animals from these inhumane breeding facilities. In order to shut these establishments down, we need to be the voice for puppy mill dogs and educate as much of the public as we can.
Here are a few things you can do to help put a stop to puppy mills:
1. Tell your friends and family about puppy mills and what goes on in those establishments.
2. Choose to adopt from your local animal shelter instead of buying pets online or from pet stores,
3. Report abusive pet breeders or puppy mill operators to your local animal law enforcement agency immediately.
4. Support animal rescue groups and organizations that are dedicated to shutting down puppy mills and backyard breeding operations by donating or volunteering.
How to Observe Puppy Mill Awareness Day
Share Posts On Social Media
One way you can raise awareness about puppy mills is by sharing posts on social media. You can either create your own post or simply share educational ones from organizations that advocate against puppy mills.
Do a bit of research and try to find engaging and informative posts about puppy mills—they can be images, articles, or videos. There are a ton of them on the internet. We suggest that you choose ones that really capture people’s attention, like infographics or documentaries, to pique your followers’ interest. Of course, don’t forget to use the hashtag #PuppyMillAwarenessDay.
Participate in Peaceful Demonstrations
If you prefer a more hands-on approach, then you can go ahead and participate in peaceful demonstrations. Every year, animal activists from different places gather together during Puppy Mill Awareness Day to protest in front of the pet shops proven to get their puppies from Puppy Mills. Together, they educate passers-by about puppy mills and encourage adoption.
You can go on Facebook and look for Puppy Mill Awareness groups that live near you. They’ll be happy to have you on board!
Adopt A Puppy Mill Survivor
If you’re planning on getting a furry family member, then why not adopt a puppy mill survivor this Puppy Mill Awareness Day? Keep in mind, however, that puppy mill dogs have never experienced what it’s like to be loved and cared for, so they may come with a bit (or a lot) of baggage. That means you’ll need to be patient with them as they recover from their past.
As they begin to heal, you’ll see them blossom before your very eyes and you’ll end up with the most loving and grateful dog! Because they’ve never been treated like family before, they’ll look at you as their savior and live the remainder of their lives thanking you. They’ll be unlike any other dog you’ve owned!
With that said, taking in a puppy mill survivor may require a bit more effort than usual, but being the one to show them the good side of life makes it totally worth it.
How do you plan on celebrating Puppy Mill Awareness Day? Let us know in the comments!
