image: dan bradenburg/istockphoto
According to the ASPCA’s website, 7 puppies perished from heat related injuries on August 3rd in the cargo hold of a plane going from Tulsa to Chicago. These pups were purchased from a “commercial breeder” in Oklahoma and were booked on connecting flights to other location across the US.According to Cori Menkin, ASPCA Senior Director of Legislative Initiatives, “Puppy mill operators are creating professional looking websites that convincingly dupe consumers into thinking they are reputable breeders. A sure way to spot a scam is that they often offer to ship the dogs to the buyer without ever meeting in person. No reputable breeder would ever ship a puppy to a buyer sight unseen.”
Unfortunately, the people who sell animals over the internet are not subject to the regulations put forth by the Animal Welfare Act. In fact, Menkin states, “They are able to keep inspectors away and operate without being accountable to anyone.”
Cori continues, “The bottom line is the only way to be sure your new puppy isn’t a product of cruel and inhumane conditions is to see for yourself where he lives….adopt from your local shelter.”
600 animals per hour or 14,000 animals a day are put to death in shelters across the US. Don’t buy online or from a breeder. Make a difference in an animal’s life-adopt or rescue.
