Oprah to investigate abuse at puppy mills REAIR May 29

[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.

[K9karen]

I had no intentions of watching it after the previews, but I caught some of it since I have no will power. I'm with Pam, the poor, innocent beauties, with "E"s marked on their cards, being led to die, was pathetic. I lost it. I was beside myself (another glass of wine please). And the guy who makes the decision....what can I say?It's on now as a rerun and I shut it off. I won't be able to sleep.

[Emeraldgreen]

We have satellite and I was able to watch it at 10:00p.m. tonight. The whole show was so difficult to watch and I was actually scared to see it.
The last part with the shelter and the euthanasias was heartbreaking. I was absolutely in tears. Those beautiful faces and kind eyes as the men wrapped the leash around their mouths as muzzles before putting them down. I just felt so awful for not doing anything about it all this time that I've been on the planet. I've always rescued all my animals and have always had them spayed and neutered but I am looking forward to dedicating a part of my life to doing more to help the animals. It's hard to know where to begin. I know so many of you on this forum are right in the middle of helping animals like these and I'm so thankful to know that you are out there.
I'm excited because another woman and I are currently in the process of setting up a group where I live to start caring for the feral and abandonded cats. The SPCA has offered to help subsidize some of this care and we've already found some people quite interested in volunteering. The ultimate goal beyond caring for them and trying to rehome some of them is to also set up a spay/neuter program and be able to offer help to other animals in addition to the cats. I'm moving in a few months from this area but I want to help get this off the ground before I leave. And I'm hoping it will give me some more experience to work with something similar where I will be moving.
This show was good. Hard to watch but good.

[Seravieve]

I watched it yesterday when it initially aired. I was glued. I knew I shouldnt be watching it, because seeing shows like that make me want to go adopt more doggies... But we cant.. dang subdivision rules and nosy neighbors.

I couldnt change the channel. My hand wouldnt do it. Im SOOO glad that Oprah did that show. People need to see these things, they need to know. Think of all the people who had no idea about puppy mills who watch her show. She has such a huge following, its just wonderful.

Parts that really touched me... When they were walking the yellow lab and talking about how it'd never walked on the ground before. You could see it walking all weird because it was so used to walking on the wire cage.

And the whole euthanasia part too.. ugh. Thats when I got MAJOR LES. I had to get up and dry my face off.. shoot. That guy got to choose who lived and who died just based on how they looked in their cages. E for you.. E for you...
And then them showing the guy getting them out for their last walk to the E room. ugh. I couldnt handle that part.

Zeke and Bunny were both on 'E Row' at our local animal control. Both had been returned numerous times. Zeke had been there for a total of 6 months.. their limit. So we were able to save two precious pups from early deaths.. but I just couldnt imagine being that guy, having to chose who gets to die. Ugh. And when he said maybe 4 out of 50 of their dogs get adopted! Thats HORRIBLE. All of those dogs being put down... And they showed the freezer. Oh geez.

And thank you Midwest US... where the most mills are.. Makes me so proud to live in the midwest. Not.

Hopefully it will change people. Makes me want to go to our local Mall Pet Store and chew them out. "99% of all dogs at pet stores are from Puppy Mills."

[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.

[buttercup132]

Well here's what happens when there are no good breeders.
I found this on another forum I'm on but it can be used for any purebred.
Without good breeders there would be no keeping the good lines no keeping up with the breed standard.

Just a Pet by Jenny Peacocke

This is for those of you who think that breeders such as myself are too difficult, too elitist', too hard and expensive to get a puppy from because all you want is JUST A PET!

Why do you turn JUST A PET into a negative? Why do you think that JUST A PET is less than a show dog or [an obedience dog or agility dog] Why do you think that you are settling for second (or third or worse) best?

And those people reading this who have decided that they want a [Crested as] JUST A PET! Why do you want a [Crested]? Because of it's temperament? Because of it's looks? Because of it's energy? It's joy in life? Or one or some of many other wonderful [Crested] traits?

How do you think we keep these things in our breed? Simple! It's by careful, selective, planned breeding to always try and produce the best possible so that any JUST A PET we put in homes can give those characteristics that are so much a [Crested]. It costs a caring breeder just as much to produce JUST A PET as to produce a show or [therapy dog]. They a re usually the same litter and usually could be the same pup!!

I would never breed a litter to simply produce pets for the pet market. This is puppy milling. This is also MUCH cheaper. You do not need to work hard at proving your dogs abilities. You do not need to check on health and temperament. You do not need to match up the BEST stud for the bitch you have. The first male [Crested] you find will do (easier if he lives at your place ... and cheaper).

The fact that I would never breed a litter to simply produce pets for the pet market does not mean that I would not happily sell a whole litter to JUST A PET homes. It does mean that they would be getting the quality [Crested} they deserve as their JUST A PET!

If this is not what you want from your puppy there are plenty of 91breeders' out there who mate (or 91accidentally' allow the mating of) their male ( or their friends male) to their bitch and will happily sell you a puppy. Probably even proudly announce that they are registered with whatever controlling kennel club is in your country..... well so can any purebred dog born of purebred parents be. Doesn't mean a thing about health, quality, temperament, ability, etc.

It is up to you to decide whether your JUST A PET should be considered by you and others as THE BEST' or whether you go out with the idea that y our dog is second best to the competing' ones.

To me JUST A PET is the most special dog there is!

[Powerlounger]

So, if I go to a 'reputable' breeder, will that save the life of an innocent at the pound???

Hmmm. let me think now...hold on, that might be a difficult one. Let's try and wrap our minds around that, shall we??

[Ginger's Mom]

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.

Whoa, little girl, take a deep breath. People buying dogs from breeders that are interested in the health and development of their favored breeds of dog are NOT responsible for pet over population. Irresponsible pet owners who don't get their dogs altered, backyard breeders, and puppy mills are. Even if everyone on here were to get a dog from a shelter every single year, it wouldn't make a dent compared to the dogs that are being irresponsibly bred, either intentionally or unintentionally. Now, I believe your intentions are good, but telling people who are responsible pet owners that they are killing dogs by buying from a reputable breeder is not going to have the effect you want. You need to change your tactics to get people involved in more active regulation of all animal breeders.

[lizbud]

Whoa, little girl, take a deep breath. People buying dogs from breeders that are interested in the health and development of their favored breeds of dog are NOT responsible for pet over population. Irresponsible pet owners who don't get their dogs altered, backyard breeders, and puppy mills are. Even if everyone on here were to get a dog from a shelter every single year, it wouldn't make a dent compared to the dogs that are being irresponsibly bred, either intentionally or unintentionally. Now, I believe your intentions are good, but telling people who are responsible pet owners that they are killing dogs by buying from a reputable breeder is not going to have the effect you want. You need to change your tactics to get people involved in more active regulation of all animal breeders.

Amen to that.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I watched Oprah's show last night and I thought that it was very well done.It sure gave me LES though. I thought that puppymills had to pass certain inspection codes or they would be put out of business. The one's that I've seen on Animal Planet were always shut down due to their horrible conditions. I sure wish that they'd all become illegal.

Hopefully with Oprah's large following, she'll be able to reach a lot people and change their minds about where they go to adopt their future dogs. I know that in the area where I live, there are no pet stores that sell dogs. There are a few petstores that hold dog rescue adoptions though which is much different. The same goes for cats.

When I was much younger I remember going to the mall and going to the petstore and looking at all of the cute puppies. Little did I know that they came from puppymills. I didn't even know what a puppymill was back then. I hope that children can be educated about this so we can hopefully change things for the better.

I was also glad that Oprah said that buying puppies off of the internet is very bad too. My brother and SIL bought their puppy off of the internet. Even though the breeder was listed as being local, he flew the puppies in from another state. They adopted a Puggle and she became very sick after just a few days with severe kennel cough. My brother tried to talk to the breeder and he didn't even care and he hung up on my brother. He was able to stop payment on the check but they still lost their down payment and had to spend a lot of money on vet bills. Even their vet was horrifed to know that they bought their puppy off of the internet. He said that she most likely came from a puppymill. She recovered and is now doing well. I sure hope that they learned there lesson and that they'll adopt from a shelter or rescue group in the future. The sad thing is that most of their neighbors have also bought their dogs through the internet and even my SIL's sister did this.