Pet Love Shack
Don't Buy that Doggy in the Window
Companion animals in our society (as reflected
in our law) are considered no more than property, and this perception underlies
much of our cultural abuse of these animals. The discarding of unwanted
animals is common, even socially acceptable behavior: an estimated 25 million
animals become homeless every year (of which 27% are purebred dogs). Of
these 25 million homeless animals, an average of 9 million die on the streets
from disease, starvation, exposure, or injury; 16 million die in pounds/shelters
(50% are turned in by their caretakers).
The cause for the senseless death of
these "pets" is the consumer who just can't resist that adorable kitten,
puppy, bunny, etc. at the pet store. This perpetuates and subsidizes the
intentional breeding of these animals, who will probably eventually end
up in the street or a shelter. Then if the buyer doesn't spay or neuter
the animal, the problem increase exponentially.
A common form of breeding puppies is
in low-budget, backyard breeding factories. In many of these puppy mills,
one will find overcrowding, filth, and malnourished/neglected animals.
Approximately, 360,000 of these unhealthy puppies are sold to pet stores
and at least 90% of the half million purebred puppies sold in pet stores
are from puppy mills.
Pet stores, like puppy mills,
are a business, and so profit is the prime motivator. For example, Docktor
Pet Center (popular nationwide pet store chain) has had 812 animal cruelty
charges brought against the stores in five different states since 1987.
An inherent problem with the stores is that not all of the "goods" get
purchased, so they will be discarded to provide space for younger, more
desired animals.
We already have an overpopulation crisis
for companion animals. Instead of purchasing your next pet from a pet
store which supports and creates animal abuse, go to your local animal
shelter and adopt an animal. You can save him or her from a fate of
death or life. Please spay or neuter your pet in order to prevent adding
to the overpopulation problem. The blame for companion animal overpopulation
rests with human. We caused those desperate, tortured eyes looking
out from behind the bars, and only we have the power to save them.
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