Posted by  on April 23, 2008 5:02 PM

Please define Puppy Mill for me. If you define it as being cooped in cages for a long period of time without social interaction with other dogs / puppies or humans. Then isn't that the local Humane Shelter? See the information about this SPCA shelter and the horrid conditions some "rescued" shelties are still being kept in. http://www.awca.net/index.htm

As far as I know there is no such thing as a Puppy Mill any longer. All commercial breeders must be USDA inspected which ensures that dogs and puppies are humanely treated. No, they don't sleep in a house on beds or get to go on car rides with us, but they are humanely treated.

Humane Societies / Shelters / ASPCA Shelters do not have the same regulations, yet it appears that they can get away with confiscating animals and selling them. I'd really like to know what the difference is. You may call it adoption - but in truth isn't it really selling? The only difference is that with the Humane Society / Shelter / ASPCA etc. the chance of actually getting a pedigree is slim to none. The chances for purchasing a pet which has emotional issues is almost a given from either a large commercial breeder or Humane Society / ASPCA. Rescue's in most instances try to mitigate the emotional issues as much as possible.

Posted by  on April 21, 2008 10:32 AM

The problem is NOT breeding and selling dogs, the real problem is CARING for dogs. There are many laws to enforce against abuse and cruelty...USE THEM. This is like comparing (if you must to humans) child abuse and pedofiles to puppy mills. Yes they exist but that doesn't mean that no children should be born. They should both be cared for and protected. There are many horses sent to slaughter, but horse breeders (generally) take care of their livestock and their image. Maybe the difference is that people SEE where they buy a horse and are more educated about checking out the health and background before buying. This is where reputable breeders are the best resource. They research their dogs, genetics and health. They try to educate the public about dogs, especially their breed. Not just anyone with money can buy one of their puppies. Go meet your breeder... would you buy a car without seeing it, going to the dealership or taking it to a mechanic????

Posted by  on April 20, 2008 11:03 PM

the story isn't about Puppy Mills as puppy mill isn't legally defined. it's about less than humane standards in which these animals were kept. KEEP that distinction in mind. not all Commercial breeders are Puppy mills as you've brought yourselves to believe and not all dedicated small time breeders have the utmost care in mind. Something else to consider... Look at your Animal control Shelters. these animals are kept in almost the SAME conditions as these so called puppy mills. if you ban pet breeding, you're only pet choices will be Chia or Rock.
and to cut some of you off ahead of time. I am NOT a Breeder, I work in large breed rescue so I KNOW the stories, I've SEEN the horrors. I AM a proponent of enforcing EXISTING laws, not creating new ones that will be JUST as ineffective and the non-enforced current laws are. I would much rather have money put into keeping commercial breeders up to high standards than to arrest them and allow back yard breeders put out litter after litter with no repercussion.

Posted by  on April 20, 2008 9:06 PM

Check out these links for truth and facts.
www.petpac.net
www.naiaonline.org
www.wethepeopleusa.us
www.saveourdogs.net
www.pet-law.com

Posted by  on April 16, 2008 1:25 AM

The problems with puppy mills are real. Get the truth! Check out these links:

www.petshoppuppies.org
www.prisonersofgreed.org
www.stoppuppymills.org

Do not let someone who is uninformed lead you astray. This topic is too important!

Sign petition to boycott Amish products until puppymills are abolished:

http://www.petitiononline.com/jessica9/petition.ht ml (copy & paste)

Join us in demonstrating against pet shops in San Diego County:

www.dogloversofsandiegocounty.com (copy & paste)

Sorry to post so much. I just can't stand this abuse to dogs! We have bred them to be with us as companions!! Why do we torture them? Makes no sense. BTW, USDA means absolutely nothing... Dog shouldn't even be considered agricultural products. They are companion animals. This is pure pet shop doublespeak. Pet shops lie about where they get their animals!!!! Get the facts from undercover agents from HSUS. Please, please, please, people! This is a concentration camp for dogs.

Here's my analogy:

If a woman was treated like a puppy mill dog:

You are locked in the worst outhouse you can imagine (we've all been there). Your captors send in a man to impregnate you regularly especially just after giving birth. With nothing to do, all you can do is wait... On cold days, you are very cold as there is no one to snuggle with; and on warm days, it's even worse as the smell from the latrine worsens and gets into your pores. You become huge and uncomfortable until the pain of birth begins. You have your baby for a couple of weeks but it is soon whisked away from you to be sold to strangers. In a way, you are glad that your child doesn't have to suffer like you (you hope). You reek of stink as you do not get baths and your hair is all matted because you don't have a brush. Your water is served slimy and your food has maggots in it. There is no joy and nothing to occupy your mind with. There is no way to escape as your captors have locked the door and you are not strong enough to force your way out. You wonder what could you have done to be imprisoned so miserably? You have a kind, generous & loyal heart... Whenever you yell, someone bangs on the door and yells, "shut up", if there is someone there at all. If you yell too much, a metal rod is rammed down your throat in order to damage your vocal cords. No anesthesia, no doctor's visits. You may not recover. As soon as you cannot reproduce, you are taken out and shot. You have never known love, nature, companionship, etc. Your life didn't matter to anyone. No one ever thought you special enough to rescue. Nevertheless, someone has made a few bucks...

Posted by  on April 16, 2008 12:59 AM

From guest poster "Are you aware that in many regions of the country, there are NO dogs being euthanized, and they do not have dogs available for adoption? These are large areas such as most of the New England region, parts of Florida, and large sections of California such as San Diego county and the San Francisco bay area."

II LIVE IN SAN DIEGO AND WE HAVE WAY TOO MANY DOGS AVAILABLE IN SHELTERS AND RESCUES FOR ADOPTION. THIS GUY IS EITHER A PUPPY MILL OWNER, PET SHOP OWNER OR IS ENTIRELY NUTS!!! GO TO WWW.PETFINDER.COM! THERE IS NO NEED TO IMPORT PETS FROM OTHER PLACES, WE HAVE ENOUGH TO HANDLE! I HAVE BEEN TO THE SHELTERS AND RESCUES AND KNOW THIS FOR SURE!

www.dogloversofsandiegocounty.com

Posted by  on April 16, 2008 12:51 AM

From guest poster "Are you aware that in many regions of the country, there are NO dogs being euthanized, and they do not have dogs available for adoption? These are large areas such as most of the New England region, parts of Florida, and large sections of California such as San Diego county and the San Francisco bay area."

II LIVE IN SAN DIEGO AND WE HAVE WAY TOO MANY DOGS AVAILABLE IN SHELTERS AND RESCUES FOR ADOPTION. THIS GUY IS EITHER A PUPPY MILL OWNER, PET SHOP OWNER OR IS ENTIRELY NUTS!!! GO TO WWW.PETFINDER.COM!

www.dogloversofsandiegocounty.com

Posted by  on April 15, 2008 5:30 PM

Were the puppymills you visited reported to the USDA? If not, why not? Did Mainline Rescue report these puppymills toe the Attorney General? If not, why not? Did you go to USDA commercial kennels? 99% of pet shop puppies come from USDA kennels. If all came from puppymills, pet shops would be out of business do to sick and dying puppies.

A bill is pending in California that will MANDATE all dogs and cats be s/n at age 6 months, with few exceptions. THE BIGGEST EXEMPTION IS PET STORES & COMMERCIAL BREEDERS. This means small hobby breeders will pay the price by having expensive breeding permits (if they qualify & who is to say they will). Many breeds that are not recognized by a registry (AKC, UKC) will have to be castrated.

Castration or ovariohysterectomy is not a simple procedure. Dogs can die from the anesthesia (i.e. Belgian Tervuren). Bitches die from botched spays. Many studies show early castration can cause incontinence in bitches, osteosarcoma in both sexes and temperament problems.

By saying no one should buy a dog unless it comes from a shelter or rescue, you are not being fair to all hard working breeders who spend countless hours trying to produce the very best their breed has to offer. You said you can get any kind of dog of any age at a shelter. Have you looked for a Saluki or a Skye Terrier?

If there too many dogs in shelters, why are we importing them from Taiwan, Mexico & Europe? The CDC is very concerned with them not being properly vetted before coming here & passing on diseases to our own pets. Did you know 10,000 puppies were smuggled in from Mexico last year? Some shelters so short of dogs they get them from other shelters to fill the need.

Oprah made a donation to a No Kill shelter. I hope she Invites Nathan Winograd (author of Redemption) to her show and asks him exactly how a NO-KILL SHELTER works (www.nokill.com www.nathanwinograd.com ). Invite NAIA | National Animal Interest Alliance. Invite breeders to show how much time effort and work goes into raising a litter.

Posted by  on April 15, 2008 2:16 PM

Tink and Tyler can been seen at the following youtube links. It is a little confusing from my previous post.
Tink's Mom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z120CqWVfWM


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVJC6PydKNY

Posted by  on April 15, 2008 2:12 PM

Hi Lisa
I, too, am an advocate for animals and deplore irresponsible breeders. I rescued Tink, a doxie who was born without her two front legs. Tink has a one of a kind set of prosthetic wheels so she can navigate the world. Boy does she navigate!!!Nine months later, I rescued Tyler, Tink's cousin who was born missing one front leg. Same breeder, same inbreeding.

Please enjoy seeing Tink and Tlyer at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z120CqWVfWM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVJC6PydKNY

Tink, Tyler and Henry, Tink's three legged cat boyfriend, have turned their misfortunes into pawsitive ways to help handicapped children and our wounded warriors deal with their difficulties of the war including their mental, emotional, and physical disabilites they have come to endure.

While Tink and Tyler have changed my life for the better as well as the lives of others, it is my dream that regulations be put in place for the mandatory spaying and neutering of pets and that breeders be held accountable for the condiitions in which they breed and keep their animals.

You can see more about Tink, Tyler and Henry at www.henrysworld.org

Thanks for what you do in all of your causes.

Tink's mom

Posted by  on April 14, 2008 4:08 PM

Lisa, bravo for a show which exposed some horribly cruel dog breeders. These people are breaking existing federal animal welfare laws, as well as animal cruelty laws in place in the state of Pennsylvania. Contrary to what was stated on your show, these breeders are operating illegally. Have you reported them to the state humane officers? I certainly hope so. They should be shut down immediately.
Unfortunately, your reference sources consisted of a singular rescue organization and Wayne Pacelle, the radical animal rights activist president of HSUS. This man came originally from the PETA organization. Here are a couple of his more famous quotes.
"We have no ethical obligation to preserve the different breeds of livestock produced through selective breeding. One generation and out. We have no problem with the extinction of domestic animals. They are creations of human selective breeding.” .

“I don’t have a hands-on fondness for animals…To this day I don’t feel bonded to any non-human animal. I like them and I pet them and I’m kind to them, but there’s no special bond between me and other animals.” Wayne Pacelle, of the Humane Society of the United States, quoted in Bloodties: Nature, Culture and the Hunt by Ted Kerasote,

Wayne Pacelle is a man who has devoted his entire life to efforts to abolish animal domestication, and to sever the human-animal bond.
Mr. Pacelle states that 99% of all pet shop dogs come from illegal breeders such as the ones shown on your report. This is not true. Commercial breeders fall under the guidelines and rules of the FDA. They are licensed and inspected. There are very strict guidelines for care, feeding and sanitation of the dogs. If all pet shop dogs came from such deplorable conditions as you pictured, there would be no dogs to sell, because they would be none who were not crippled, ill and poorly socialized.
Your show segued into the peripheral issues of purported animal overpopulation and early neutering of pets. You relied entirely on the biased, unsupported statements of Pacelle.

Are you aware that in many regions of the country, there are NO dogs being euthanized, and they do not have dogs available for adoption? These are large areas such as most of the New England region, parts of Florida, and large sections of California such as San Diego county and the San Francisco bay area. These areas import dogs from other states and even other countries. Are you aware that over 300,000 dogs are imported into the US every year from other countries to provide adoptable animals for the homes here waiting for them? The Helen Woodward Humane Society in San Diego imports dogs from as far away as Romania, as does Best Friends. The Save a Sato organization imports animals from Puerto Rico to the New England area. “Save a Mexican Mutt” imports many dogs from Mexico to the West coast. Unfortunately, these dogs can bring with them problems such as parasites, infectious hepatitis and rabies... yes, I said rabies! “Save a Sato” imported a dog with rabies in 2003.

A true expert in shelter management is Nathan Winograd. Mr. Winograd has converted several formerly high-kill shelters into no-kill shelters. His recent book, “Redemption: the myth of Pet Overpopulation in America” is an excellent expose of the reasons that shelters kill animals. He would be an informative guest for your show, and could present a realistic picture of the pet relinquishment situation in this country He is well versed in practical solutions to solving abandonment and re-homing issues. According to Winograd, pet overpopulation is a myth.

In your report, you stated erroneously that every day, in every city in America, pets are needlessly euthanized.

The truth is that there are no reliable statistics on animal euthanasia in this country. There is no central reporting agency, no standardized reporting methods. Also, those stats are skewed by the numbers of feral cats, who overall comprise the majority of shelter intakes and euthanasias The truth is that young puppies are almost never found in shelters. The statistics rarely differentiate between healthy, adoptable dogs, and dogs relinquished due to age, illness, aggression, or injury. Dogs, cats, wildlife (rabbits, birds, possums, raccoons) injured and stray animals are all lumped together. These rates also include non-adoptable animals who are owner turn-ins due to illness, injury, viciousness, and a large proportion are feral. Many citizens bring their pets to the shelters specifically for old-age euthanasia.

I know someone who is involved in rescue in Dallas. She states that they rarely euthanize a healthy animal in Dallas due to the large rescue and foster care network there…a city in very close proximity to Fort Worth. Different demographics? Or simply different management methods? There are many things that can be done to reduce the numbers of dogs euthanized in certain areas….but shelters in those areas have to change their methods of operations. Lifting limit laws, promoting foster care, extending operation hours, and placing dogs through cooperation with local pet stores and local newspaper ads are some proactive ways to place the adoptable dogs .

Purebred dogs are NOT a significant proportion of intakes. Most shelter workers are unfamiliar with different pure breeds, and they have no way to ascertain that any specific dog is purebred. Also, purebred dog clubs have regional rescues available to intake and rehome dogs of their breed or even mixed breeds. Contrary to your report, there are NOT dogs available of all breeds and any age at shelters. Puppies are rarely found in rescue situations.

Next you delved into the supposed reason for the imagined “overpopulation”. Once again you regard Pacelle’s unsubstantiated facts as gospel. He claims that not enough pets are sterilized, which results in “overpopulation” and by further extrapolation, that this causes euthanaisa in shelters.

Yet according to the current edition of the APPMA's National Pet Survey, (the bible of the pet supply industry) 75 percent of all owned dogs and 87 percent of all owned cats in the US are sterilized.

The veterinarian on your show stated that sterilizing a dog at a young age is perfectly harmless, and even desirable. Anytime an animal (of any age) undergoes general anesthesia, there is a risk of death. Recent veterinary studies prove many detrimental long-term health effects from pediatric neutering. Most problematic isa delayed closure of the bony growth plates, resulting in abnormal "weedy" skeletal development, which renders working dogs unsuitable for their tasks, and renders them susceptible to hip dysplasia and patellar luxation.
Pediatric neutering dramatically increases the risk of bone cancer (very painful and invariably fatal), urinary incontinence, hypothyroidism, cognitive dysfunction in older dogs, and behavior problems such as noise phobias, fearfulness and aggression. Dogs neutered at an early age have an increased susceptibility to infectious disease, and also a higher risk for adverse reactions to vaccines. All these effects, and many more, are documented in recently published veterinary literature.

Please read this page for more information on the Animal Rights threat today.

http://mysite.verizon.net/coatcloset/id22.html
http://mysite.verizon.net/coatcloset/id20.html

Sensationalism may provide ratings, but as a journalist you have a responsibility to provide a truthful picture in regard to important issues.

Posted by  on April 13, 2008 8:44 AM

Thank you so much for this show. I know so many of us have been emailing Oprah for years to have her do a show on puppy mills. This was a very balanced show and covered a lot in an hour's time, but of course it was only the tiny tip of the iceburg. It did not even mention the MASSIVE breeding facilities in the midwest that feed the pet shops on the west coast.

I do hope that this angers people enough to get them to contact their elected representatives. The USDA inspectors do NOTHING about these horrible places and in many places state and local laws are virtually nonexistent and there is no enforcement of the ones that exist. In Lancaster County PA alone there are over 500 commerical breeding facilities with over 500 dogs, in the state of Missouri there are many thousands. I hope this is just the beginning of turning the tide to help stop this.

Posted by  on April 13, 2008 1:37 AM

Thank you Lisa for raising awareness about this important issue! It's so sad that many of the animals destined to be our best friends are born and raised in such atrocious conditions.

For more on why adopting from a shelter is always a better idea than buying a pet from a store or breeder, see this fact sheet on puppy mills: http://www.peta.org/mc/factsheet_display.asp?ID=45

Posted by  on April 12, 2008 9:30 PM

Why don't you investigate HSUS & PETA? PETA kills more then they place and say it's for the best. How many bodies are dumped in dumpsters that haven't been traced back to PETA yet?
HSUS is already under investigation by LA for misuse of donations and disappearing dogs during the Katrina tragedy.
I've heard many others have also asked the same questions and provided links & urls to show the truth on this organizations but I don't see them listed on your site. Only posting those that agree with what you think and not the truth?

Posted by  on April 11, 2008 1:05 PM

Why hasn't the USDA inspectors closed down the "breeders" shown on this program? Why do the inspectors tell these "breeders" not to allow anyone in to see their operations?
Why has not Main-Line Rescue asked the state Attorney General to investigate these mills?
There are LAWS already in place to stop these mills from cruelty, why are they not being enforced?
Thank you for making the public more aware of puppy mills, but NOW let's make the law makers, enforce the laws in place, before creating new ones!!

Posted by  on April 08, 2008 8:13 PM

The puppy mill story has changed my life. I am a school teacher by trade, but now I am fighting for the lives of these dogs. I always say power in numbers. I started a database of people who are on board with me in this fight to change the laws and create awareness. I teach in Broward County, Florida and posted this information on our county email system and the influx of emails gave me hope. I am determined to see that these laws CHANGE.

Before the show aired I was not aware of the tragic "concentration camps" these dogs muddle through on a daily basis. Breeding is one thing, making money selling dogs I even get, abusing, neglecting, torturing and killing I WILL NOT stand for.

I am positive I can get as many names needed on a petition and I would be willing to speak before any politician to see that this happens.

I would love to hear back from anyone, especially Lisa Ling, to make my voice and others heard that these dogs do have a voice, ours!!!

Susan Block, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

NBound72@bellsouth.net

Posted by  on April 08, 2008 7:19 PM

http://view.break.com/463231 - Watch more free videos

ABC KITV 4
March 3, 2008

The Marines on Monday responded to a video clip on YouTube.com showing what appears to be a Kaneohe-based Marine throwing a puppy while in Iraq. The video shows two Marines talking as one holds a puppy by the back of the neck before throwing the dog over what appears to be a cliff. There is the sound of a dog yelping as the puppy is seen flying in the air. The clip has been viewed by thousands of people on the Internet, with several e-mailing Honolulu TV news media. The leadership at Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe said they are investigating the case and that they do not tolerate such behavior.

“This is a shocking and deplorable video that contrary to the high standards we set for every Marine. We will investigate this and take appropriate action,” Maj. Christopher Perrine said.

Officials said they believe the Marine in the video is a lance corporal who returned to Hawaii in October from Iraq.

Posted by  on April 08, 2008 2:35 PM

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHERE I CAN GET A DVD ABOUT THE PUPPY MILLS ON OPRAH'S SHOW.THANK YOU

Posted by  on April 08, 2008 2:59 AM

I was happy to see someone speak out against the horrors inflicted on our little "buddies". The cattle and the horses shipped to canada for food, blind and sick, the cows sent into our food chain treated so badly before they were hoisted to their deaths. My one regret remains when people do these very important stories why we had to see some die. Couldn't Oprah or someone have saved those litlte beings sacrificed in front of us? Take the whole group to a safe place where they have a no kill policy. That is what I wanted for those little babies in Texas. Really, do it all the way. Save them, not exploit their deaths. I cried for a solid three hours at their almost getting help.
Thanks for what you are doing, and for all your reporting of global matters always incisive and risky and terrific. Just a thought, next time save them don't just film it.

Posted by  on April 07, 2008 10:27 AM

I rescued an Amish puppy mill dog from a wonderful site, petfinder.com. The woman who obtained him from the puppy mill described exactly the same type of conditions you described in the show. She talked about the inhumane treatment and lack of humane understanding from these people. She also told me about another rescuer trying to rush to an Amish puppy mill to save some dogs. She had a flat tire and got there a few minutes late. She found the dogs with bullets in their heads. The Amish man told her that's what she got for being late.

I went by my local pet store yesterday. As always, there were many, many people debating buying a puppy. I hope the show helps people become more aware, but am not holding my breath.

To totally change the subject, I would greatly appreciate it if someone is able to tell me the designer of the tunic Lisa was wearing on Oprah's show.

Posted by  on April 06, 2008 6:14 PM

well, i did see your show and left with some mixed feelings. i love dogs and have had two, the second of which we got from a shelter (more because we couldn't imagine paying hundreds of dollars for a dog). but, as much as i felt sorry for the inhumane treatment of especially the mother dogs, i can't help but think that only in america do we make such a fuss over dogs. is it because we like them as pets? would we treat a pig's tumor or tooth decay? pigs are supposedly more intelligent than dogs, yet they live in most likely worse conditions than those dogs. some people (like the amish...or the koreans, yes?) see dogs like we see pigs. do we expect farmers to name their pigs?

anyway, this is not to say what is happening is ok. i also saw a documentary on chickens where i was horrified at the treatment of a not-so-smart bird. i just had some mixed feelings over the uproar against these puppymills.

Posted by  on April 05, 2008 2:29 PM

Thank you Thank you Thank you! My dog was rescued from a puppy mill and he thanks you as well. FINALLY - some national recognition. I truly believe many do not know when they walk into a pet store exactly what they are supporting. My little Boston Terrier has one eye and is blind from his experience in a puppy mill. He was used for breeding before the age of 1 and was severely neglected. He looks like a little rag a muffin but he is very dear and close to my heart. He loves people and we especially both love you for the coverage you gave to puppy mills. I can't thank you enough Lisa.
Sincerely,
Marissa in Rhode Island

Posted by  on April 05, 2008 9:59 AM

Thanks for the episode. Making the consumer aware of the problem is the only way to stop it! MAKE YOUR FRIENDS AWARE! Please have your friends sign the petition from The Humane Society. Every little bit helps. https://community.hsus.org/campaign/stoppuppymills _april_2008?rk=NdMZz0MqsrLmW

Posted by  on April 05, 2008 3:10 AM

Thank you for reporting on this. It's so sad for these animals .

Posted by  on April 04, 2008 10:33 PM

THANK YOU LISA!

I am the Founder and Editor of a local dog publication in Los Angeles called, Dog's Life: Be Your Dogs Best Friend.
The cover story in our current issue is about puppy mills. We are one of many media outlets, small and large, that have been trying to bring this issue to light in our own ways with hopes that just a few people learn something from it.
I am SO thankful that you and Oprah did this show and have now exposed these atrocities to the masses.
I sat, watched and cried even though I've seen this type of footage before, it is never easy to watch.
I truly believe that your investigation and this show have brought a level of awareness to the issue that all of the animal welfare community combined could never do.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of dogs,

Yvonne B. Mejia
Founder/Editor
Dog's Life Magazine

Posted by  on April 04, 2008 7:33 PM

Thanks so much for covering this topic. You have to ask yourself-- what is a dog really for? To bring out the love in a human, to have a friend, to care for another being so that he or she can be the best dog possible. Leave the Ego out of it.
Oprah has beautiful dogs, yes. Certain breeds have a set of personality traits, size, etc., but you don't need to go to a breeder and you especially don't want to support the whole Puppy Mill industry, that just grinds out pups like some factory farm (that's another topic, folks!).
Think of all the dogs out there, dogs with death sentences for no other reason than people were just too egotistical to care for a non-designer dog. It's so sad.
If you watch Cesar, the Dog Whisperer, you'll see that most dogs (and owners) can be rehabilitated, if given the chance. Please consider adopting from shelters, animal control agencies, and breed rescue organizations. support laws against puppy mills! Donate to those small, but dedicated animal rescuers in your community (AzCats here in Phoenix has trapped, spayed and neutered about 10,000 stray cats in the last 10 years-- and it's all volunteer work, with donations).

If you want to show your children the "miracle of birth," you can always foster a pregnant dog or cat, or foster stray kittens or puppies until they are ready to be adopted by the shelter. They need help with this so they won't have to put the puppies and kittens to death. If you foster neighborhood strays, or feed them outside, please get them spayed and neutered. Adopt out any kittens you can, but only if they are spayed/neutered-- it can be done when they weigh two pounds.

And please, please, please--- be responsible. Don't let your cats and dogs have babies. There are millions that are put to death every month. I wouldn't like to have that sad job, and I don't want to ask anyone else to do it on my behalf!

Thank you, Lisa Ling. My daughter met you when you spoke at Loyola Marymount and she was very impressed and inspired by you! What a priceless job you are doing!

Posted by  on April 04, 2008 6:29 PM

Thank you Lisa!
Oprah’s message: Make animal shelters your first stop!

On your show today, millions of Americans learned that

99% of pet store dogs come from mothers with
● Urine saturated matted fur
● Untreated tumors, tooth decay, blindness
● Exposure to the heat, to the cold, to flies and parasites
I won’t let my dollars help keep them that way.

Oprah also stated that you CAN find the dog you want in animal shelters and pet rescue! How? Visit RescueDirectory.com to find dedicated animal lovers in your area with pets waiting for your loving arms to scoop them up right now!

Posted by  on April 04, 2008 6:08 PM

THANK YOU from so many of us for shedding light on animal cruelty (i.e. puppy mills) and being the voice of innocent animals who have no voice to speak for themselves nor help the situations the are placed in by the greed of mankind.

Posted by  on April 04, 2008 5:15 PM

Lisa, THANK YOU for your work on puppy mills. You and Oprah have done a tremendous thing by bringing this issue to light.

PLEASE-- YOU MUST ALSO DO A REPORT ON "FACTORY FARMING" IN THE MEAT INDUSTRY FOR OPRAH. THIS IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT ANIMAL ISSUE THAT MOST AMERICANS ARE NOT AWARE OF. EVEN THE ANIMALS WE EAT DESERVE TO LIVE AND DIE WITH DIGNITY.

Posted by  on April 04, 2008 5:06 PM

Hi Lisa, This report was incredible. Thank you for shedding light on this issue! Hopefully more people will go to shelters, breed rescues, or responsible breeders after seeing this. If Oprah's influence can catapult a book to the best-sellers list, then hopefully this report will encourage more folks to avoid buying a pet at the pet store.

Posted by  on April 04, 2008 11:38 AM

THANK YOU LISA!

For doing this report on Puppy Mills. My daughter and I have been personally rescuing the Shiba Inu breed for the last 4+ years. Over half of our foster babies have been millers. The condition you showed unfortunatley didn't surprise us at all as we get them in with legs so stiff and bad they can't walk, or they spin in circles because that's how they excersized in their little crates and at 2 and 3 years old lost half their teeth because all they had was feces to eat because they were either not fed enough or were pushed out of the way by more agressive dogs! I hope with all my heart that some day I have to give up rescuing because the American Public gets smart and stops these awful greedy people in their tracks! DON'T SHOP ADOPT! SPAY AND NEUTER!
GO GIRL! WE LOVE YOU.

Posted by  on April 04, 2008 10:46 AM

myspace.com/rescueink rescueink.org you must see this animal abuser bounty hunters

Posted by  on April 03, 2008 10:01 PM

Hello World, I have a pet rescue group in the Midwest along
with friends, Sharon, Cindy and Rona.
We have been organized for 6 years this month!!
We are a non profit, 501C group, dedicated to finding good
homes for any dog that needs one. We also believe in
spay/neuter. Please visit our website to learn about a
special Cocker Spaniel girlie, we named Peaches. She was
thrown away by her millers in Centerville, South Dakota.
Police found her, starved, sick, looking for her pups.
She had milk in teats and had given birth probably
just 6 weeks prior. We took her in when no one would.
What a dolly, she wags that bobbed tail in spite of her obvious
pain. Vet said she has a massive ear infection (both ears)
mammory tumors, infected vulva bad, rotten teeth and
in spite of obvious pain, does not complain. Wow, what a Dog!!!!!!
Peaches has to be operated on to remove tumors, dental, and
have her ears cleared up.
Very sweet and darling girl. Pray for her, Network for her.
Go see her story on our website, Please!!!!!!!
She is estimated to have had 8 litters in her 5 years of life.
3 C sections!!!!!!!! Obviously her owners made profit off of her
pups, then threw her out to die in the Woods of South Dakota.
www.petpalsforlife.org is our website. Please go see the
story of this survivor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please watch Oprah and Lisa Ling's story of the Kennels from HELL,
called Puppy Mills!!!!! We have many stories.
Susie a pet pal Gal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by  on April 03, 2008 7:09 PM

After you see the show, when you're good and outraged, write your Senators and Congress reps, the US Secretary of Agriculture (AgSec@usda.gov), your state Secretary of Agriculture, and anyone else you can think of who should hear us saying "THIS MUST STOP"! These atrocious places are under the jurisdiction of the USDA and they give it very little priority. Somethin's gotta give!

Posted by  on April 03, 2008 4:23 PM

I can't wait for more people to be exposed to just what is going on out there. These poor animals being treated as product, never given the love and attention they need and deserve. I rescued a former mill breeding dog (a pug) and the poor thing didn't understand what play time was. I gave her a good life, but various conditions she had made it end too soon. Thank you for not only exposing Oprah to this (I know she has a great affection for her labs), but now her whole legion of "followers".

NEVER buy from a pet store! I hope there will soon be a day when you can't even buy puppies at the mall!