Puppy mill advocates say, "Send a message to Pennsylvania’s commercial dog breeders: We will not help you prosper!
From North Penn Puppy Mill Watch:
Pennsylvania animal advocates recently learned of an upcoming dog auction that’s scheduled to take place on October 7 at the notorious Buckeye Dog Auction in Holmes County, Ohio – the only dog auction east of the Mississippi – that is known to fetch high prices on breeder dogs.
In reaction to newly passed PA laws that are slated to be enacted in the near future, many commercial dog breeders believe that lowering their dog complement might prevent the need to implement more humane conditions at the kennels but the law is not based upon how many dogs are owned – it is based upon how many dogs are sold. Any kennel selling more than 60 dogs in a 12 month period or the sale of even one dog to a pet shop or pet shop broker would cause the kennel to be classified as a commercial breeding operation and mandate improved kennel conditions.
Approximately 400 breeder dogs are slated to hit the auction block on October 07 and animal advocates are being asked NOT to purchase any of them.
"To do so will only encourage future auctions," said Carol Araneo-Mayer, co-founder of Puppy Mill Awareness Day, and vice president of Adopt A Pet.
Helen Ebersole, co-founder and board president of United Against Puppy Mills, agreed and noted that specific breed rescues have found that not bidding on dogs actually drives prices downward and helps discourage future auctions.
Instead, advocates who are intent on traveling to Ohio are encouraged to wait in the parking lot and offer to take – free of charge – any dogs that did not sell since many breeders do not want to take unsold dogs back to their kennels.
Mary O’Connor-Shaver of Columbus Top Dogs and the Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions reiterated her request to Pennsylvania officials for an all out boycott at the October 7 auction:
"Dog auctions are a tragic embarrassment to Ohio and it’s humane-minded citizens. We have been asked if people should "buy" or "rescue" these dogs. We are asking for an all-out boycott of this event. Buying at the auction will simply mean that it will be profitable. If it is profitable, it will continue and more dogs will be bred for sale at future Ohio Dog Auctions. …"…
A closed door meeting with [Chief of the Dog Law Enforcement Bureau Jessie L. Smith] was held on Wednesday, September 30, for the purpose of discussing how to help the dogs slated to go to auction although the advocacy community was not invited and is still being kept in the dark as to any potential plans for the October 7 auction or how they might actually help these dogs.
The plight of the Pennsylvania breeder dogs is not a private matter – it affects every individual who cares about dogs and, more importantly, every Pennsylvania resident who regularly donates money or time to help educate the public or care for animals who are no longer wanted and in need of shelter and, ultimately, a new home.
Advocates are asked to do the following:
DO NOT BUY DOGS at the October 7 auction or pay breeders in advance of the auction for their unwanted breeding stock.
YOU can help make a difference by not buying at the auction. Breeders should not be rewarded with money for their decision to downsize and continue operating without having to upgrade their kennels to include more humane living conditions for the dogs.
BOYCOTT THE OCTOBER 7 OHIO DOG AUCTION
DO NOT ALLOW BREEDERS TO PROSPER IN AN ATTEMPT TO CIRCUMVENT
PENNSYLVANIA’S NEW LAWS!
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Note: Read about other controversies surrounding the 2008 Pennsylvania puppy mill law: The government’s funding of puppy mills and a lawsuit by breeders to stop implementation of the new law.