Puppy Mill Awareness Day (PMAD) 2010- this past Saturday I attended the 8th annual PMAD. The original PMAD. It is estimated that 1500 people showed up for this annual event. The day is about educating and creating awareness about puppy mills that exist not only in PA- the puppy mill capital of the East Coast- but in the entire United States. That is why Awareness Day events have popped up all over the nation, the UK and Australia!
And it all began with co-founders, Walt and Kathy Hargis, of New Jersey. Walt was unable to attend because he was in a motorcylce accident in August. He was there in spirit. He told me how frustrating it was not to be there but he will be there next year. Hang in there, Walt!!
Perhaps what may separate PA’s PMAD is the “walk through Lancaster County” where most puppy mills originate as depicted in the above photograph. People blew their horns in support of the walkers.
Unfortunately, we must continue this fight. Puppy mills exist. Why? Because people still buy puppies from pet stores, the internet, flea markets or roadside stands. We keep the puppy millers in business by buying the puppies they create in their horrific breeding facilities where the moms and dads live their entire lives in small cages for the sole purpose to breed for profit.
And our new law to protect these dogs, Act 119, is in the process of making revisions to the new law that would make so many of the new changes to help these dogs/puppies null and void. Please call Attorney General, Tom Corbett, before the end of this week, to tell him no to these new provisions. If these new provisions are put into effect, they will be in direct violation of Act 119 which clearly states no wire flooring and each dog must have access to an exercise run.
Our work is not done. BUT, I must hand out kudos to everyone who is helping to spread the word and educate the public about puppy mills!