This is a great article about amazing works of art. I viewed Cyrus' website, reading the description of each piece he created. It's amazing what each piece signifies. I also would love to see this as a traveling exhibit. The way to end a cycle is to educate and train so history doesn't repeat itself. I would love to see the 575 Project make a huge, positive impact on the world.

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IF breeders need to breed, they should spay and neuter every PET Quality animal that they sell. Bottom line. IF you need money that bad, then this is no better than PIMPING a child.
I have rescued ragdolls, siamese, persians, ragdolls, norwegian forest cats, siberians, the list goes on. AND the true heart break is seeing these animals so traumatized, so defeated in spirit after being dumped or ending up in a dang shelter. So many die, or crawl into a corner to die, refusing to eat and giving up. PLEASE I do not know why, other than greed that we still breed or allow it. Reputable breeders WILL spay and neuter their pet quality pets before selling.

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Great story Kelli. Unfortunately, we live in a world where money rules.

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Excellent piece, Kelli. Thanks. Heavy sigh.

God bless, Cyrus. Such a talented man and, of course, a founder.

Sometimes when I talk to people about breeders (commercial or otherwise) and shelter deaths, I just get this blank stare. For me, the root of the problem is lack of a feeling of collective responsibility. Most people look at breeders as being outside of their control, as if the industry will live on regardless of what they do. Very few have any clue how many animals are killed in shelters each year; they presume the animals deserve to be there and that only those who are the most sickly or aggressive are destroyed. We all know better. It has everything to do with resources and nothing to do with being "worthy" of life. My two most recent saves were pulled off of death row by a local rescue group. Both had dates with a needle and both were beautiful, healthy dogs who had been abandoned.

if someone can find a way to make people think in terms of being personally part of the problem, perhaps that would help. Instead of being someone else's problem, we need to recognize this as our problem. We control it. We can change it.

I've often thought that anyone who buys a companion animal should be required to personally witness the destruction of a companion animal. After all, it is their purchase which leads to the death of another.

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I presently am a breeder of Ragdolls and Chi's. I bred Siamese for many years. Just recently I have been seriously thinking of giving up breeding. I have continued to do it only in part for the money, [[every breeder knows this,] but mostly for the love of the cycle of the pregnancy , the birth , and the newborns soon to be underfoot. Lastly a very happy new owner who has been waiting for this very special kitten or puppy.
After reading an article about kittens and cats being left in droves in carriers in parking lot shoppingcarts by heartbroken homeowners that had been forclosed upon my thought was that I wished I could open a shelter for those pets and their owners and let the owners help run the shelter. Great idea , if someone could make it come true.
It made me start to think more seriously about all the homeless animals. Having previously helped at a Second Chance Spay/ Nueter Clinic and seeing firsthand the amount of cats that were feral and put back into the wild was brought back to mind. I had also trapped a litter of feral kittens with a very friendly mom and they were all placed. I always wanted to foster animals but between my daughter and myself I figured we could never let them go and would have a house full of animals. Well thats what we have now. The only two differences are that one I make a little bit of money that I desperatly need two if you are making money it is easier to let them go.
This is some food for thought. I have already contacted Karen Spilka in regards to presenting some kind of bill before the legislature that would make it a law that your cat and dogs had to be spayed and neutered. It would somehow have to accomodate breeders for legal rights {[I think] Maybe x number of permits could be given out so we could continue to have SOME puppies and kittens. We need to change the system the way it is now . IT DEFINATLY IS NOT WORKING. THEY WANT TO KILL THE FERAL CATS AT THE HIGHWOOD CONDO ASSOCIATION IN FRANKLIN MASS? iT WAS IRRESPONSIBLE PEOPLE WHO LEFT THEM OFF IN THE FIRST PLACE AND NOW WE WANT TO KILL THEM???? It all comes down to the same, something needs to be done . It doesn't matter weather you are a breeder or a cat owner who just doesn't bother to grt your cat or dog fixed. WE NEED TO DO SOMTHING DIFFERENT. What are the readers thoughts on a possible bill of this nature?

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Most of it does come to money.

Breeders are making huge amounts of money that is primarily untaxed, thanks to lax regulations and lack of licensing.

They can hide these underground businesses, hide the income, and make a mint.

That goes for puppy mills, but it also goes for a very many of these "hobby" or "responsible" breeders or "show" breeders.

They don't admit it, in fact they whine about "losing money." It's a smokescreen. They make a lot. They just rationalize not reporting with fake "deductions" in their heads and never file the proper paperwork or pay the taxes they do owe.

Also the AKC could not survive without its puppy mill registration money. The AKC employees profit immensely, but all those "responsible" breeders profit through the dog shows, breed clubs, registry services that they enjoy thanks to that puppy mill money.

Puppy mill money pays for it, so these breeders rationalize opposing rules and laws for the mills because the mills are serving them.

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This is an amazing project and I great angle to take on this issue. The reality that so much wonderful dogs die in shelters every year because lack of space breaks my heart. They want a chance a home and can offer so much love when given the chance. Thanks for doing your part with this project.

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charrack, people have tried to pass spay neuter bills such as the one you suggested that have exemptions for smaller breeders.

The problem is that the breeder lobbying organizations like AKC oppose them all, in part because the AKC makes a whole lot of money from puppy mill registrations. So they work to support the interests of the puppy mills.

I do hope that you will consider another form of income other than breeding. There are many other ways to bring in income. Maybe people have some suggestions?

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Am I reading this correctly that the 575 exhibit will be on display at Dixie State College in St. George starting November 12? If so, that's awesome!!

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IF breeders need to breed, they should spay and neuter every PET Quality animal that they sell. Bottom line. IF you need money that bad, then this is no better than PIMPING a child.
I have rescued ragdolls, siamese, persians, ragdolls, norwegian forest cats, siberians, the list goes on. AND the true heart break is seeing these animals so traumatized, so defeated in spirit after being dumped or ending up in a dang shelter. So many die, or crawl into a corner to die, refusing to eat and giving up. PLEASE I do not know why, other than greed that we still breed or allow it. Reputable breeders WILL spay and neuter their pet quality pets before selling.

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"Why Are We Still Breeding and Buying Pets?"

Great question.

My guess:

1. Ignorance
2. Dollar Bills
3. Kill "shelters" are 9 to 5, thus preventing many would be adopters from getting to the "shelter" in time to adopt, since most are at work from 9-5.

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Is this a touring exhibition? What is the cost to rent it, does anyone know? I organize exhibitions for an academic library and wonder if we could have it here - though funding is always hard to find.

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Anyone interested in hosting the 575 Project can contact Cyrus Mejia at: cyrus@bestfriends.org

Thanks!

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The people that cant make it to the kill shelters ( which most are open on Sat ) can go to rescue groups on the weekends..most hold their adoptions every weekend..then once a spot is open, they can go pull more animals from kill shelters. Also, a lot of rescue groups will do adoptions by app. on weekdays.

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INTENSE projects. Makes me want to get it on TV. I vow to contact every puppy/pet breeder I come across on Craigslist and relay this info to them. The selfishness must be confronted! N.

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