News
Puppies Aren’t Products: Las Vegas is in Full Swing
April 01, 2009, 11:3AM MT
By Kelli Ohrtman
Join the fun (we need you!)
Join the fun (we need you!)
Can you hang a poster? Do you enjoy educating people about puppy mills and pet stores? Do you want to be involved in a positive program that has a direct impact on puppy mills and pet stores? If so, the Puppies Aren’t Products campaign needs you!
We need to reach more people who aren’t aware of puppy mills—the ones who may still walk into a Las Vegas store and come out with a puppy. A month ago, the Puppies Aren’t Products campaign launched in Las Vegas with peaceful demonstrations in front of Chi-Chi Couture Puppies. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many honks, waves and thumbs up from passers-by. A dedicated team of about twenty volunteers has made it possible to start the campaign, and now it’s time to branch out and really start making an impact. Below are the specific volunteer jobs we need your help with:
Posters and Flyers
It’s an easy, cheap and effective way to reach people. All you need to do is pick up a stack of posters from our point person, and hit your favorite hang outs. Any coffee shop, library, grocery store, groomer, veterinarian office etc. with a bulletin board is fair game for getting our message out there.
Tabling
We provide the materials and a little coaching, you host an informational table where people can stop by and learn about pet stores and puppy mills. Think grocery stores, home improvement stores—places where the management has an animal-friendly attitude. We are looking for people to be at a table a couple hours, once a week, and also for someone to help organize this effort, to line up new locations for informational tables.
Demonstration Participant
It’s the most fun a person can legally have while standing on a street corner for three hours on a Saturday. Our demonstrations are calm, fun and positive. You hold a sign and hand out literature to interested people passing by. We provide a (mandatory) one-hour training so you’re prepared to answer questions on the issue and the pet store, and to make sure we’re all keeping things safe and legal.
Legislative Ally
Do you care about seeing lasting change to Nevada’s puppy mills? Lawmakers are considering several bills that would regulate Nevada’s breeders, and they need to hear from people who care about animal welfare. It’s as simple as a few clicks on the state legislative website, or making a call to a committee member. If you’re up for it, going to hearings will show support for important legislation, and you can have a hand in seeing it passed.
How to get Involved
Contact Cherie Damron, No More Homeless Pets specialist at cheried@bestfriends.org.
For more information about the campaign, visit puppiesarentproducts.com
Posted by Kelli Ohrtman: Best Friends Animal Society
Photo by Clay Myers