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Oprah Adopts New Puppy

March 05, 2009, 11:49AM MT

By Cheri Moon

Brings Focus Back on The Adoption Option and The Truth Behind Puppy Mills

Brings Focus Back on The Adoption Option and The Truth Behind Puppy Mills

By Turner Houston, Best Friends Network Volunteer

It’s the talk of the animal welfare world and entertainment community: Oprah Winfrey adopted a puppy on Sunday, March 1.

Yes, she adopted, not bought a puppy. And by doing so, she has kept true to a vow she made after learning the real story behind the origins of dogs-for-sale.

Oprah’s Show Shined National Spotlight On Puppy Mills
Winfrey, a self-described “dog person” has several dogs, but last year, she lost her beloved 13-year-old cocker spaniel, Sophie, to kidney failure. The loss was so devastating to Winfrey that she dedicated a show to Sophie in which she talked about kidney failure—and most importantly— puppy mills and the truth behind “that puppy in the window.”

(Watch the slideshow from reporter Lisa Ling’s investigation of puppy mills.)

The attention Winfrey focused on the horrors of puppy mills brought a national spotlight on the plight of millions of dogs suffering their whole, brief lives sequestered in squalor and filth, with little to no human contact or even exposure to grass and fresh air. PETA awarded Winfrey “Person of the Year” in 2008 because of the prominence her show gave to stopping puppy mills.

Winfrey herself was so shocked to see what puppy mills were really like that she vowed her next dog would be adopted. She took time to grieve Sophie’s loss and the loss of Solomon last fall, her 14-year old dog, before she was ready to look for a new pup to join her pack.

Oprah Smitten With Cocker Puppy
On Saturday, February 28th, Winfrey went to a local shelter, PAWS Chicago, to see what dogs might be available for adoption. Winfrey had already donated $10,000 to PAWS in Sophie’s memory, so it was a familiar shelter to her.

There, Winfrey spotted an 8-week-old, blonde-colored cocker spaniel puppy and was smitten. “[The dog] is really cute,” say Lisa Nowak, PAWS Chicago spokesperson. “Oprah saw her and fell in love with her. She was very excited.”

Winfrey returned to the shelter on Sunday with her longtime partner, Steadman Graham, and they took the female puppy home with them. There has been no word on whether Winfrey plans on keeping the puppy’s shelter name, Amanda, or changing it. But we hear talk that Oprah’s show on Friday, March 6th may contain more details about her new puppy. Stay tuned.

Statistics About Puppy Mills:
• 4-5 million animals die in shelters every year (roughly 11,000 every day)
• 20% of animals in shelters are purebred
• It’s estimated that 4 million dogs are bred in puppy mills every year
• There are nearly 6,000 USDA-licensed commercial kennels in the U.S. (and untold numbers of unlicensed).

How You Can Help
• Best Friends has saluted Oprah’s work to expose the truth behind puppy mills and her success in bringing national attention to these inhumane dog “farms.” You can thank Oprah and join The Best Friends’ Campaign to Stop Puppy Mills.

• There is a lot you can do to help bring an end to the terrible suffering of puppy mill dogs. Learn more about puppy mills and what you can do to stop them here.

Photo by taken by Elf as seen on Wikimedia.com.

Posted by Cheri Moon, Best Friends Staff

Comments

Posted March 06, 2009, 2:52PM by ruthy92

lmiller, nearly all labradoodles come from puppy mills.

And there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog.

Michelle Obama, unfortunately, caved in to "status symbol"pressures.

I think the President DID want to adopt a shelter dog. But he got trumped.

Posted March 06, 2009, 10:29AM by cambridgeratmom

Portugese Water Dog

Posted April 04, 2009, 3:12PM by CharlesandMaxxum

I watched the show on puppy mills...I never knew places like that exsisted...thanks Oprah for opening everyones eyes on puppy mills....and for saving your new puppy!

Posted March 05, 2009, 12:51PM by rmlamasney25

Yes! terrific news. I hope Oprah features her new pup on her show, to keep adoption vs. purchase in people's minds. I read that the Obamas plan to bring home their pup in April, and they had a specific breed in mind (forget which)....see the current People interview w/Michelle O. I hope Oprah urges the Obamas to adopt their pup from rescue! Best wishes to Oprah and her new family member, and thanks for keeping your word, you are a woman of integrity.

Posted March 06, 2009, 11:53AM by jboyle_23235

I am so overwhelmed with happiness that Oprah kept her word and adopted her new best friend! Thank you Oprah for all you have done to promote the cause of companion pet overpopulation, the evils of puppy mills, the importance of spay/neuter and to ADOPT not buy.

Posted March 06, 2009, 12:51PM by lmiller

There are no PWDs in rescue. They are not a real popular dog- very hunting oriented, not really a good family pet, need tons of exercise and can be quite destructive if they don't get their way. Do not understand why the President wants that type of dog for his girls, I would have thought the Laboradoddle would have been a better choice.

Posted March 06, 2009, 6:22PM by ktsmom

Oprah had her new puppy on todays show. It's Sadie, and she's adorable. Sadie's 3 brothers were also brought out-and I'm sure they're all spoken for by now. Oprah was even considering adopting one of them. Hurrah for the adoption from a shelter!