Puppy Mill Awareness Day this Saturday in Lancaster County
The fourth annual event dedicated to making the general public aware of "pet mills" will be held Saturday, Sept. 15 in Intercourse, Pa. Many animal rescue groups from the surrounding area will attend the event to draw attention to dogs that have been rescued from unscrupulous breeders.
Pet mills are essentially animal production houses where puppies, kittens, and other animals are produced as an open-market commodity. Because they are operated for profit, pet mill operators find it necessary to cut corners to maximize profit margins. As a result, the health of the animal suffers because pet mill puppies are often denied proper medical care, shelter, and other essential needs.
In the worst of pet mills, female dogs are kept perpetually pregnant, producing litter after litter in cramped, unhealthy living conditions. Because many females become breeders at far too young an age, they have too many repeated litters and, eventually, their bodies give out.
"Pet mills are a big problem throughout the United States and bring attention to the issue is a step toward educating the public about pet overpopulation and animal cruelty," said Julie Castle, director of community programs and services for Best Friends Animal Society. "We also want to encourage any would-be pet owner to never purchase an animal from a pet store, but instead look to shelters that are full of animals waiting for good homes."
The day will include a candlelight vigil in Harrisburg, speakers, a dog walk, free food, inforation booths, a microchip clinic and other pet-oriented activities. Confirmed speakers include Chris DeRose of Last Chance for Animals; Demitry Herman of Dogs Adverse Reactions, Rikki Rockett, animal advocate and star of the rock group Poison; Laurryn Simpson of Dog Adverse Reactions, and Jesse L. Smith, special deputy secretary, dog law enforcement for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
One of the event's key organizers is Carol Araneo-Mayer, whose rescue group, Adopt-a-Pet, will participate.
"The idea is to have fun, and to learn more about the puppy mill problem in Pennsylvania," Araneo-Mayer said. "We thought we'd go to the heart of the problem - Lancaster County - which has more commercial dog kennels than any other county in the state. People who rescue puppy-mill castoffs know Lancaster County well."
Another of the event's organizers comes to Pennsylvania all the way from Los Angeles. Last Chance for Animals.
"Kindness to Animals Builds a Better World for All of Us"
