Sandra, I'm proud to know you, too. Your actions outside that puppy chain-store will 'educate' many people who do not know what puppies in such places have had to endure.

We have pet-store 'chains' here, too. We also have different animal welfare laws in different states. But a recent new law here has given our animal welfare groups & individual citizens more 'teeth' is standing up against poor treatment of puppies & animals generally.

This law, not only covers blatant cruelty, but it also says that people have a 'duty of care' for the everyday welfare of their animals according to 'acceptable standards'. We've just referred to this law to report people to the authorities who were selling puppies at 5 weeks of age. We claim that it is not acceptable to separate puppies at 5 weeks of age from their mother...& that, therefore, the owners are failing in their 'duty of care'. The animals welfare authorities now have the right to go check those people out. And they did!

The law gives the animal welfare authorities more power over puppy-mills & petshops...because they no longer have to wait until there are extreme cases of cruelty. Now those places know that they have to meet 'acceptable standards' in every aspect. And animal advocacy groups are speaking out very clearly & publicly on what those 'acceptable standards' should be.

Best wishes with the wonderful work you're doing in facing down the pet-shop chain.
Marie