Oprah to investigate abuse at puppy mills REAIR May 29

[Ginger's Mom]

I just wanted to know why people would go to a breeder or pet store as opposed to going to a shelter, and that I couldn't understand why. I never got what I thought was a good explanation. I got: 'I don't know what I'll get at a shelter', 'I go to a reputable breeder', 'it's none of your business', 'are you saying a purebred has no value??', that's what I got. It was all quite strange...

Although I prefer to get my dogs from a rescue or a shelter, I do believe in supporting GOOD, RESPONSIBLE breeders. If everyone only got mutts and badly bred dogs from shelters, there would be no one taking responsibility for actually making the health, form and function of dogs the their responsibility. Keeping healthy, well-bred, well trained dogs is as important to an animal lover as doing away with backyard breeders and puppy mills. I find it "quite strange" that you think the only dogs that should be owned, adopted, cared for, are those that are bred irresponsibly.

I am not a fan of Oprah Winfrey, however, I do believe she has the power to get the message out there. And I am in favor of anything that will make people more aware of the horrors of puppy mills. I plan on telling as many people as I can about the show. I will have to record it myself.

[RedMenace]

I find it "quite strange" that you think the only dogs that should be owned, adopted, cared for, are those that are bred irresponsibly.

Geez, I didn't think the poster said that at all. I think it's 'strange' that you said that. He/she was just posing a question. Which I actually find interesting. My personal opinion: if you do go to a breeder, that's fine. But know this. When you do it, you have chosen not to save a life. And that's certainly your choice. Also, are you going to blame the shelter dog for being bred irresponsibly? Do they deserve a death sentence because of it?

[MoonandBean]

All my life, I've wanted a golden retriever or yellow lab...but other cute mutts kept sneaking into my life and I have yet to have one. The time is finally right for a new dog and while I would love to go buy a purebred golden or yellow, I just can't do it. I have to rescue one. From what I've read, hundreds of puppies are killed every day in the south due to overbreeding and irresponsible pet owners. The pet rescues here in the northeast are loaded with puppies from the south (so many yellows and goldies to choose from) and so that is where I will get my next puppy.

[elizabethann]

Did anybody watch Oprah? It's on right now, but I'm at work. Let me know if you watched it and what you thought of it. I'm going to the Oprah message board right now to see what people are talking about.

[Spiritwind]

I watched the whole show and I thought overall she did a great job of explaining and showing why you should not go to a pet store for your puppy... and how reputable breeders are not the problem... its the puppy mills that are the problem!..

Good show.. thought she did well.... especially suggesting going to a shelter for your pet, but if you decide to go to a breeder make sure you go to a responsible breeder....

[lizbud]

The show just ended here about 1/2 hr ago. I thought it was a very
good show.I'm glad they kept the "touring puppy mills" down to 30 mins,
as a whole hour of seeing this horror would make people sick to their
stomachs.

I did like that the Animal Control Shelters & private Shelters were included
in the tour. Showing folks that 30% of all the dogs are pure breed. I also
liked how they showed people the great need to spay & neuter our pets.

It was a great show & it so neat that Oprah shared the film tribute to
her RB Sophie. Gave me LES, big time.

[Powerlounger]

All my life, I've wanted a golden retriever or yellow lab...but other cute mutts kept sneaking into my life and I have yet to have one. The time is finally right for a new dog and while I would love to go buy a purebred golden or yellow, I just can't do it. I have to rescue one. From what I've read, hundreds of puppies are killed every day in the south due to overbreeding and irresponsible pet owners. The pet rescues here in the northeast are loaded with puppies from the south (so many yellows and goldies to choose from) and so that is where I will get my next puppy.

Thank you MoonandBean, that's it in a nutshell. I cannot in good conscience go to even a reputable breeder and get a dog, when that very action will condemn another dog to death.

[Grace]

We watched the show. Thought it was very well done.

Too bad more places around the country aren't like the county we live in. Here, it is illegal to sell pets in a pet store. Can't be done - no way, no how.

Yes, there are cats at the local Pet Smart - cats from the local Humane Society - for adoption.

And it has been this way for many years.

[Pam]

I just finished watching the Oprah show. I taped it because I knew I wouldn't be home. I am still wiping tears off my face. I think the show was well done. I was happy to hear that they also mentioned Breed Specific Rescues. I know that many people watching were probably never aware of that should they not find the specific breed they are looking for at their local shelter. I wish maybe it was made a little more clear about how to contact a breed rescue.

All in all it was an informative show, explaining the need for spaying/neutering and even showing the process of a neutering. The hardest part for me was the segment on euthanasia. I totally lost it as those little souls were labeled with an "e" and then led to the room from which they would never return. Let's all pray that with Oprah's vast audience and influence (she recommends a book and it becomes an instant best seller) that legislation may some day be passed to shut these hell holes down!!! Forever!!!

[caseysmom]

I sure hope your right Pam, I am a wimp and didn't watch. I think it comes on again in a bit here and I may watch I am not sure the previews were almost too much.

[Tora Oni]

All my life, I've wanted a golden retriever or yellow lab...but other cute mutts kept sneaking into my life and I have yet to have one. The time is finally right for a new dog and while I would love to go buy a purebred golden or yellow, I just can't do it. I have to rescue one. From what I've read, hundreds of puppies are killed every day in the south due to overbreeding and irresponsible pet owners. The pet rescues here in the northeast are loaded with puppies from the south (so many yellows and goldies to choose from) and so that is where I will get my next puppy.

I know living in louisville I have looked on petfinder and their is a Golden Retriever Rescue called G.R.A.N.D.S. and I read that any dog around 12 or older is free of charge to a good home but they do have background checks and I'm sure they careful about placing an older dog since the person needs to provide medical attention and a peacful enviroment in other words no rowdy two year olds baging on the dog hips and trying to ride him. Which dogs are not ponies or miniture horses. I watched Oprah and I was actually disapointed they didn't mention petfinder.com since they have tons of link of shelters, humane societies, and rescue groups for more than just dogs. I found out about puppy mills back when I was 12 or 13 and after that I never looked at a petstore again without thinking about the animal's background. I just hope this really reaches people across the nation because it hasn't really hasn't been put out their in the news.

[sabies]

I too am glad Oprah did this show. I feel for her loss of Sophie - I've always related to how Oprah spoke of her beloved dog.

Although I was already a shelter supporter, one thing I did learn is that puppy mills are legal. Why? How is that possible? Even if you put aside emotional, moral, and humane issues, what about the financial aspect for tax payers? Would our shelters be overcrowded if puppy mills were shut down? Would someone have to euthanize a perfectly healthy dog if puppy mills were illegal?

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Ughhh! I fricken missed it! I wish I was able to see it! From reading the above posts, it sounds like it was a great, but very sad show.

[buttercup132]

Many years ago, on this site, I caused a huge ruckus with a post asking why would someone go anywhere other than a shelter to get an animal. I never could understand the logic of going to a breeder or a pet store. I was skewered. By so-called animal lovers. But I feel, and very strongly, you want an animal, go to a shelter. Save a life. People don't like to be told that. Let's see how they feel about these puppy mills. Which, no doubt, many on this board have knowingly or unknowingly purchased from. And they will rationalize their purchase with the most imbecilic logic. So, I'm curious to see how they will handle this show.

I doubt they were saying go buy a puppy mill dog or pet store dog. Yes alot of people on here are pro rescue but they are also pro good breeding, there's a difference between good and bad breeding. What if you want a certain breed and that almost never ends up in a shelter? What if there are no breed rescues near you? What if they don't adopt out to people who live in apartments,no fence,kids, cats etc ?
When it's a common breed like a lab or something then sure I don't see a point really in not getting one from the pound unless you want a sport dog or show dog.

As for the show I missed it too, I'm hoping to find it on youtube or something.

[Powerlounger]

You know, I really don't care what other people think at this point. These are the facts: Go to a breeder or go to a pet store. That very act sentences another animal to death. Do you people recognize that that IS A FACT?
If you don't like that fact, well isn't that just too bad.

If you saw all those poor innocents being euthanized on Oprah and still want to go to a breeder for a dog, reputable or not, I have nothing to say to you.

Flame away.