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Demonstrating Compassion for Dogs

March 13, 2009, 8:59AM MT

By Jennifer S Hayes

Puppies Aren’t Products: Las Vegas campaign launches

Puppies Aren’t Products: Las Vegas campaign launches

By Cathy Scott, Best Friends staff writer

“Puppies Aren’t Products” was the message heard loud and clear during a puppy-store protest in Las Vegas.

The peaceful demonstration -- the first held in Las Vegas that was sponsored by Best Friends -- was about informing people that they have choices when selecting puppies. And that was why a dozen volunteers spent three hours on March 7, handing out literature and holding signs protesting the sale of dogs.

(click on the image to the right to see a video explaining the Puppies Aren’t Products: Las Vegas campaign)

The “official” start date of the demonstration is Saturday, March 14. Similar to successful puppy story protests in Los Angeles, the Las Vegas action will keep the issue in the public eye by returning to the location on a regular basis over time.

As the dedicated volunteers stood on a public sidewalk, many drivers honked and gave them a thumbs-up. Some unrolled their windows to let their dogs riding with them stick their heads out to say hello.

Stopping to learn more from the volunteers -- staged near a puppy store in the northwest section of the Las Vegas Valley -- was Joanne Roche with her Yorkshire terrier, Root Beer.

Nine years ago, a family member purchased Root Beer from a store in Melbourne, Florida. She wants to get another companion, “but this time I would like to adopt a rescued Yorkie,” Roche says.

She’s not alone. “I was one of those people who didn’t know about puppy mills and pet stores,” says volunteer KB Sisco. “I bought my chow chow, Zeke, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I had no idea about commercial breeders and how the dogs are treated. I was ignorant and uninformed.”

Now, she’s committed to letting others know that they have choices too, including adopting dogs from shelters -- thereby saving a life -- instead of buying puppies that are bred commercially. “I’ll be here every Saturday,” Sisco says, “informing good people about the pet trade.”

Puppy mill campaign specialist Kelli Ohrtman says adopting instead of buying is worth it in the end. “They can find specific breeds of dogs at animal shelters,” Ohrtman says. “They don’t have to go to a store. They might have to be patient, but they’ll eventually find the dog they’re looking for.”

And that was what Saturday was all about, informing the public and, at the same time, encouraging store owners to stop selling puppies.

“If we educate one person,” volunteer Tami Simon says, “this is worth it.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

? If you are interested in volunteering for the Puppies Aren’t Products: Las Vegas campaign, please e-mail Tiffani Hill: tiffanih@bestfriends.org

? If you bought a puppy at Chi-Chi Couture Puppies, or any other pet store in Las Vegas and want more information about where it came from, please e-mail Kelli Ohrtman: kellio@bestfriends.org

? Take action today! Sign up for action alerts and breaking news from the Best Friends team. Text “LVPets” to shortcode 42107.

? Learn more about how you can help by joining the The Truth About the Pet Trade community on the Best Friends Network.

? Download the guide, “Nine Things You Can Do to Help Stop Puppy Mills”

Photos and video by Clay Myers, Best Friends photographer
Posted by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends staff

Comments

Posted March 13, 2009, 2:9PM by Kelly4cats

Every time someone buys an animal they are putting money in the pocket of these puppy mill owners which just allows them to keep on enslaving these animals. Have that money go to a needy rescue group instead and adopt a healthy and loving dog from them.

Another wonderful thing about adopting from a rescue group is they get to know each animal, all the details on their personality and health. Can puppy mill owners or store employees tell you these things? NOPE!

Posted March 14, 2009, 12:5AM by kbluvsdogs

I pray that the eyes of this pet store owner will be opened to see what horror they are supporting by selling puppy mill pups!

Posted March 13, 2009, 6:37PM by PokieH

Mine mamma will be der amorrow to help hold sines and protest wid her furrends.

Pokie-HOntas

Posted March 17, 2009, 4:35PM by tiffani

Our Vegas campaign wants you! Sign up to volunteer as a Protest Team Member, Flyer Distribution Team Member, Distribution Chair, PR/Marketing Chair, Volunteer Committee Team Member, or Community Outreach/Tabling Team Member! Click on My Membership Tools in the upper right, then Volunteer, then Search to sign up.

Posted March 13, 2009, 2:13PM by mxipp

Great work, guys! I hope you get lots of local news coverage and more volunteers each time you're out there!

Posted March 14, 2009, 1:46PM by marys

Horray for all you wonderful volunteers in Las Vegas helping the pups!!

Posted March 16, 2009, 2:8PM by ruthy92

I'm always so impressed by the good people who step forward and say "I didn't know. I bought a puppy mill puppy, and realized it was a mistake, and I want to educate others."

It's take a truly kind heart to be able to do this.

Too many people just remain in denial, or don't want to find out the truth about the dog they bought.