Let Me Out And Love Me: Oppose Commercial Breeding

Pet Store Closures!

2010-10-06T14:19:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to announce that ALL branches of Pampered Pets have CLOSED! MO Puppy Expo is also closed and the owners, Herman and Bonnie Schindler are selling their breeding stock at the end of October. The only store still in operation that I can think of is PETLAND in Lake St. Louis, Please join us on Saturdays at 1:30 to protest PETLAND.

Also, VOTE YES ON PROP B!!!

Pet Store Protests in the St. Louis Area

2010-03-31T09:24:00.000-07:00

Saturdays 11 am - noon : Pampered Pets , St. Clair Square (front of Red Robin), Fairview Heights, IL.

Saturdays 1 pm - 2 pm : Pampered Pets, Chesterfield Mall, Chesterfield (Borders), MO. (Cancelled-Store is CLOSED! )

Saturdays 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm: Petland , Ronald Reagan Parkway, Lake St. Louis, MO.

Sundays 12 noon - 1 pm: MO Puppy Expo (Herman Schindler) MidRivers and SueMandy, St. Peters, MO.

Sundays 1 pm- 2 pm: Pampered Pets , Mid Rivers Mall (Cine sign), St. Peters, MO.

Literature and signs are provided. Or you can make your own.

Sign suggestions:

Never purchase a puppy from a pet store.
Do not buy a puppy at Petland/Pampered Pets/MO Puppy Expo.

For more information on how to get involved, or for more information on WHY we protest these stores, email me at: letmeoutandloveme@yahoo.com

Peaceful Protest of Petland-Lake St. Louis, MO

2010-03-18T16:42:00.000-07:00

Every Saturday from 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Literature provided.
Lots of fun! Bring dogs at your own risk. Must be on a harness!!!
6131Ronald Reagan Parkway (park in lot by Jiffy Lube strip)

Protest in St. Peters, MO. Suemandy/Mid Rivers Mall Drive

2010-03-18T06:29:00.000-07:00

Every Sunday!
12-1 MidRivers Mall Drive and Sue Mandy.
1-2 Sue Mandy Right by the Cine Sign.

Signs/literature provided.

We are protesting the sale of puppies: MO Puppy Expo (1200 dogs in cages) & Pampered Pets (over 1000 dogs in cages). Double whammy!

Video: What can I do to help with the puppy mill cause?

2010-03-07T15:27:00.000-08:00

Video: Zoi and Tori

2010-03-05T20:22:00.000-08:00

Protest Pampered Pets Chesterfield Mall, Chesterfield, MO

2010-03-03T18:45:00.000-08:00

Every Saturday!
1pm-2pm
Meet across from Borders at the lot marked 300.
Signs and literature provided, or you may make your own.
For more information on puppy mills, scroll down.

Tori's Story

2010-02-23T06:49:00.001-08:00

Tori was a puppy of about 12 weeks when we met. I was working part time at the five and dime...no, wait-that's a Prince song. I was actually working part time in a flower shop in Troy, IL. One of the partners that I worked for was very active in animal care a rescue. One very quiet afternoon, a woman came in a was speaking to Joan, my boss. I found out later that Linda was with ARRF in Collinsville, IL. I was walking past, when I saw a small, shivery, tiny puppy staring right at me. Her black eyes looked sad, sick and very very scared. Weaping, I took her out of Linda's arms. Linda said, kindly "She's covered in poop". I said that I just didn't even care. She was mine. I called my landlord to make sure it was okay and he said "sure". Linda told me that she had several more puppies that needed homes. I had to ask where they came from. Joan said two words that I will never, in my entire life forget. "Puppy Mill". Linda had rescued about 25 dogs from a substandard puppy mill in Illinois. Joan adopted one and I adopted Tori. They needed immediate vetting, they were both vomiting with horrible diarrhea. Tori came home with me that night and slept in her new bed with her new toys and forgot all about where she had come from. She took baths with me, she slept with me. She had become my child.

Tori has kept me sane. Through two really bad breakups, the death of my father, homelessness...Tori has been next to me the entire time. Keeping me on this earth at times. She is 5 now. Getting gray around the muzzle. Happier than ever. Still my child.

I promised her that around the time of her birthday, August 23, every year I would learn as much as I could about puppy mills and try like mad to end the cruelty and neglect that occurs in them. This past August came and went, and with a lot of research and getting in contact with the right people, I couldn't let go. My research and advocacy continues.

Puppy Mills are taking their last breath and, mark my words, before Tori leaves this earth, changes for the better will have occurred.

Support Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention. Never buy. Rescue.

Protest at Pampered Pets-St. Clair Square, Fairview Heights, IL !

2010-02-19T08:51:00.000-08:00

Every Saturday!

11:00 am- noon

By Red Robin (see map)

Literature, signs and training provided by MEPL.

http://www.metroeastpetlovers.ning.com/

Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act Event(s)

2010-02-18T10:08:00.001-08:00

Hello, Fellow Dog Advocates! Missourians for the Protection of Dogs (MPD to friends), will have an exhibit table at the Working Women's Survival Show in St. Charles, MO February 19-21. There is more information on the WWSS at http://www.wwssonline.com/ and more information on Missourians for the Protection of Dogs on http://www.misssourifordogs.com/

It is truly a class act move to sign this petition and encourage others to do the same. This bill would benefit so many of Missouri's dogs. Thank you for your support and I encourage you to make the commitment to never buy, always rescue!

Sign the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Petition at the Mardi Gras Parade in Soulard!

2010-02-09T10:26:00.001-08:00

While attending the festivities on Saturday, March 13 in Soulard-St. Louis, Missouri, please sign the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Petition.

For details about the petition, please visit:

www.missourifordogs.com

The Opposition to Progress: Take a look at what "puppy millers" might say...

2010-01-19T08:18:00.001-08:00

As we know, some people make an extreme amount of money from breeding dogs. Therefore, those who are will be completely against losing most of their breeding "stock". The following are some comments that you may hear:

"The term "puppy mill" is a slang term and is offensive." (who would be offended? Puppy Mills!)

"The HSUS is an organization that takes money, but doesn't have shelters. They spend most of their money on politics. They want empty cages in shelters." (political campaigns that improve the lives of our animals! They want empty cages from people CHOOSING adoption over purchasing dogs from breeders. Loving animals means loving them when they need it and making choices that reflect that!)

"Not allowing the temperatures in the kennels to rise above 85 degrees or fall below 45 degrees far exceeds the treatment of humans." (What ETHICAL breeder would allow their dogs to live in conditions that would make them prone to heat stroke or freezing?)

"Breeders will be forced to euthanize, eliminate or get rid of all animals exceeding 50 in number."
( This is why the HSUS and ASPCA is involved. The entire country is chomping at the bit to help these poor dogs. Remember that even with 50 breeding females, the breeders could still have over 200 dogs and/or puppies at any given time).

Let me close by saying that there is a lot of information that typical consumers do not know and that breeders are going to use that to their benefit. I cannot enforce enough to educate yourself! They will try to say that not breeding a dog is bad for their health. This is why spaying is so important. We have used these animals. Used them. The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act will still allow breeders to have 50 breeding females, treat them humanely (adequate food, water, vet care and shelter), and allow them to move freely within their confinements. Who would not want that for dogs?

SIGN THE PETITION AND VOTE YES FOR THE PUPPY MILL CRUELTY PREVENTION ACT !

http://www.missourifordogs.com/

The MOST important thing that you can do!

2010-01-18T07:42:00.000-08:00

Educate yourself and don't buy into what breeders are saying about our supporters. HSUS, ASPCA, HSMO and MAAL are all credible and ethically intelligent organizations. Loving animals, means loving them when they need it, not for profit. visit http://www.missourifordogs.com/

Signatures, Please!

2010-01-07T03:26:00.000-08:00

Registered Missouri Voters! Let us know if you are interested in signing the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act Petition! We will be traveling to YOUR area! The deadline is the 27th of April, so please make haste!

Puppy Mill Campaign Kick Off !

2010-01-04T05:53:00.000-08:00

www.maal.org/Puppy-Mills.asp#press
http://www.missourifordogs.com/

Please review all of the information posted at these links.
Very very important for the dogs that are living in breeding facilities.

Dates for the kick off are:
1/13/2010: 6-8 pm- Columbia, MO -Columbia Public Library (Daniel Boone)
1/14/2010: 6:15-8:15 pm -Kansas City, Mo- Brush Creek Community Center
1/15/2010: 6-8 pm-Springfield, MO-Grace United Methodist Church
1/16/2010: 1-3 pm-St. Louis, MO-Humane Society of Missouri, Macklind Ave.

Puppy Sales and Production (yes, production)

2010-01-01T18:22:00.000-08:00

This kind of sign should throw up a red flag immediately. There's a l0t of information here. First of all, to hold an event like this, puppies have had to already be produced. Puppies with no committed home. Don't we have enough of those in shelters? Thousands upon millions to be exact. This photo was taken before we stood in front with signs that read: "Boycott this event". The breeder(s) that were holding this event had multple documented violations such as inches of fecal material in and around the animal enclosures, sick animals and algae in the drinking dishes. Also note the snow on the ground. It was freezing outside. Anyone who cares about their tiny animals wouldn't bring them out in this to sell to strangers. Nor would they keep thier animals in sheds in these extreme temperatures. Minimally heated sheds. That is what they are. The breeder has over 250 dogs at the facility.Unfortunately this is the kind of building that is standard for "breeding stock", as our companions are called in this industry. Understand that this is their home for LIFE. The breeders are NOT required to take them out and walk them, let alone hold them or let them rest in a warm lap for awhile~that would be a luxury for these dogs.

Agree, that this is unacceptable and that it is not what we have in mind for the treatment of our pets. Imagine~ rows and rows of these enclosures with dogs in them year round. How insane the animals go, how ungroomed, how sick and lonely.

It's not too late to change the future. These animals need our immediate action.

How to help with the cause.

2010-01-01T10:47:00.000-08:00

1. Educate yourself, using trusted resources. Do not take posts on forums and replies to articles as the truth, ever! Realize that there is always opposition to the truth-particularly if there is profit involved. Some people breed over 1,000 dogs at their facilities. At $400-$1,000 a puppy, they are making major money. They don't want the truth about their industry to become public knowledge.

2. Educate others. Post facts on your websites, protest, get a t-shirt, pass out brochures, talk to people that are browsing the pet stores in malls. Let it be known what you have learned.

3. Volunteer, foster, donate. People and their resources are the only things that these animals have. Shelters and rescue groups are in Disaster Relief. So many animals that they are almost always full.

4. Encourage progressive, sensible and ethical legislation. Write your representatives. Sign petitions. Most importantly: register to vote and let it be known that you support animals.

5. Get a bumber sticker. A lot can be said with a few simple words as your traveling. "Spay and Neuter", "Proud Mom/Dad of a Rescue Dog", "Dogfighting is the 'pits'".

6. Commit to getting over breed specific traits. Love the animal who needs it NOW.

7. Share your opinions. Without your passion, the cause doesn't have a chance.

8. Watch your community. If you have any concerns about a possible puppy mill, act on it. Get animal control, humane societies and local law enforcement involved. You would be doing a disservice not to.

9. Don't become so committed to saving animals that you start hoarding.

10. Create a blog, buy ad space, or take up a collection for a billboard encouraging rescue.

The Facts

2009-12-30T11:41:00.001-08:00

16 Million Animals Will Die in Shelters
25 Million Animals are Homeless
27% of Homeless Dogs are Purebred
50% of Shelter Dogs are Turned in By Their Caretakers
9 Million Animals Will Die on the Streets

This is what happened in 2009.
This will happen in 2010.... What can be done? Force people to look beyond what they "want" and look at what is best for our companions. The facts stated above say that we don't care about them, what we care about is production of puppies for ridiculous reasons.

Rescue Resources

2009-12-30T11:24:00.000-08:00

www.petfinder.com
www.hsmo.org
www.strayrescue.org
www.earthlings.com

Never buy a puppy in a petstore (unless they can prove that they are adopting out rescued animals). Never buy an animal from an online or newspaper ad. Consider the current situation that our companion animals are in before you make a choice based on "designer breed" propaganda. Watch "Earthlings".

Gaining Education on Commercial Breeding

2009-12-30T11:22:00.000-08:00

www.petshoppuppies.org
www.prisonersofgreed.org
www.hsus.org

Let Me out and Love Me / Zoi's Story

2009-12-30T09:16:00.001-08:00

Welcome, readers!
It is our goal to educate people about commercial breeding and encourage them to rescue companion animals from shelters.

There are breeders in Missouri that have over 1,200 dogs at their facilities. The animals never set foot on grass, have proper grooming, get an individual vet visit or know love. Many times, they go completely mad in the confinements of minimal measurement. It's cruelty.

With all of the love and compassion that I've been shown by my companion animal friends, I couldn't turn my back on them. Not when they need my voice so much.

Please share information with your friends and educate yourself. Visit a shelter and commit to never buying a puppy from a store ever again. Loving dogs means loving them when they need it most!

Zoi's story: Zoi's long life of about 10 years had been spent in a substandard puppy mill in Taney County, Missouri. She was rescued by a team of cruelty investigators who convinced the owner of the puppy mill to relinquish all of his animals. The case never went to court, so Zoi was available for adoption almost immediately through the Humane Society of Missouri. A couple of years later, Zoi was brought into HSMO as a stray. The adopter had given her to a cousin, who wasn't responsible enough to make sure that she was taken care of. As a result of the miserable life that Zoi had, she had to have 7 dental extractions, her jaw is decayed on the left side of her muzzle. She has luxating patella, a stomach prone to bloating and she is virtually unable to maintain a healthy coat of hair. Zoi's turn for the better came with a serindipitous collaberation. The wonderful shelter ladies were very particular about Zoi (her name was Michelle) and her care. I was a volunteer (still very new) and was asked to hold Zoi for a short time to get her used to contact. It took her a few minutes to be okay with me holding her, but eventually she settled down into my lap and stretched out. I massaged her hairless back and felt helpless for her. My heart sank at the thought of anybody neglecting her ever again. I left the shelter that day feeling heavy. When I returned a week later, there she was, crying for me to pick her up. So I did. And I never put her back. She's been with me and her loving family for almost two years. She has really taken a shining to Jim. They are so close.