Seeing the sea of cars parked on the grass lot when I arrived at today’s Puppymill Awareness Day, I already knew the capacity crowd (1500 people) that was expected was met to the delight of co-founders Walt Hargis, Kathy Hargis and Carol Araneo-Mayer.
Now I could go tell you exactly what happened at this year’s event, but I feel I would be redundant in my account of the day’s details since I have written about this day for years. You can read a factual account of the day’s event here.
What you didn’t know about the day…..Kathy, Walt and Carol worked tirelessly for this year’s event and have already begun the planning stages for next year’s event. These three have never gotten the credit they so deserve for creating puppymill awareness day. No disrespect to the HSUS or Last Chance for Animals, sponsors of PMAD, but it was these three who co-founded and prepare for this day.
Their dog “art” auction raised $6,000.00 last night before awareness day. That is fantastic and all the money raised is being used strictly for puppymill awareness. Walt and Kathy will be traveling to North Carolina next May to help get puppymill legislation passed in that state. It was passed over this year. Sound familiar to those of us in PA. North Carolina is getting a very bad reputation for puppymills.
Walt gave a speech at Elizabethtown College a few weeks ago to a group of at least 100 people. Because of his speech, 40 of them volunteered their services at the day’s events. Whenever help was needed today, an announcement was made over the PA system and there they were.
Walt is passionate about ridding the world of puppymills; although he tells me he will never see it happen in his lifetime. His passion is as strong as mine and for most of the people who attended, without a doubt!
Walt and I have had some very intense and long conversations about PMAD and the horrors of puppymills. He and his ex-wife, Kathy, who by the way are the best of friends (I am impressed with these two) had taken in dogs from our good ole’ buddy Derbe “Skip” Eckhart years ago. A reminder, Eckhart’s hearing is Tuesday at Lehigh Valley Courthouse. Curious to see if he is a no-show. I will keep you informed.
As I looked around the grounds, there were over 40 rescue organizations in attendance……and that is great! More rescues, etc. participate each year. Taking a closer look, I recognized so many of these groups who have been on my tv show. I am so passionate, myself , to create awareness of these groups who do such a great job in their own right. All of the people involved in each group do a tremendous job in helping individual animals. They, too, deserve not only the recognition but the respect of others for the work they have to do because of others who discard their unwanted pets or because of what puppymillers do to the dogs. Thank you to all for the hard work, dedication and perserverance you have committed to helping animals!
The infamous march through Lancaster County took place but with a bit less enthusiasm from years gone by as told to me by others. I, myself, was unable make that trek because I currently have a cast on my lower leg and am using crutches. Chris DeRose and Rescue Ink led the walk.
What I learned from Linda G., a frequent commenter/reader of my blog, is that no signs with the word “Amish” (as seen in the above photo) were allowed to be used during this walk. The reason- it is considered profiling. Please… Lancaster is notorious for Amish puppymillers. No, not all puppymillers are Amish. But let’s get real. But the participants obliged.
Also, I have to give a big thank you to Linda and Mike for allowing me to sit in Mike’s chair as Victoria Stilwell , the HSUS and Chris DeRose spoke! I was prepared to stand but was so happy for the opportunity to be able to sit and listen to the speeches. Many sincere thanks to the two of you!
I had known two puppymill awareness day events that were to be held in England on this day and it is fantastic that word is spreading not only in the states but in the world.
But is it enough? PA has changed its laws. But is it enough? If laws aren’t enforced, what good will the law do? We can have puppymill awareness day in all states. But is it enough? Kennels have been shut down in PA with the new law while others which were once illegal are becoming legal and expanding. Someone, please explain the rationale to me.
As I said earlier, Walt and I have had some serious conversations about this. We are dedicated to educating the public about the horrors of puppymills and the connection to pet stores. We feel education is the key. People are listening but in my estimation not enough people are listening. So we will keep on talking and educating the public. Puppymills need to stop…..what is done to these dogs trapped in puppymills is so horrendous and criminal. These dogs have feelings.
Have you ever accidently stepped on your dog’s foot? Did he scream out in pain. I will guarantee you he/she did. So don’t tell me these dogs don’t have feelings. If only everyone who could get an inside glimpse of a puppymill, you would know what I’m talking about.
So here’s to Walt, Kathy and Carol. Job well done. And all of us know our work is never done. Congrats on this year’s event!!