Local advocate Cindy Sanders steps up and shows that it can be done. Nashville follows lead....
by Michelle Buckalew, Best Friends Animal Society(Memphis, TN) For years local advocates have been told that the sale of companion animals at the local flea market could not be stopped. Enter local advocate Cindy Sanders.
A couple of months back, Ms. Sanders made it her mission to tackle the local sales of dogs and cats at the local flea market, and she and a few have finally succeeded. Whether is was timing and/or tenacious spirit, this new policy is now in place thanks in large part to her efforts. The vendors were told in late June that no more puppies or kittens will be sold at the Memphis Flea Market, "The Big One."
The popular flea market is operated and owned by Buffalo, N.Y. based American Park & Swap. Unfortunately birds and other small animals still will be sold. But you can bet that advocates will be going after these vendors next.
When one learns of the poor conditions many of these animals sold actually live in along with the mothers of puppies, not to mention the the tens to thousands of rescue groups in America and the millions of homeless animals, you have to scratch your heads as to who would go to the flea markets and pay the outrageous fees that these vendors ask for. The people you typically see purchasing these animals at these ridiculous fees certainly do not appear to be wealthy...but as some would observe, most seem largely uninformed.
The breeders (mostly live out of state!) who profit were informed in June that the sale of their puppies and kittens will no longer be allowed. About one dozen vendors were given a written notice from general manager Sandy Hembree. American Park & Swap, stated the written notice is their official statement. The new policy it says is a result of media reporting and discussions with animal welfare groups regarding the "alleged" improper care of animals outside of the flea market.
Indeed puppy mill busts, investigative reporting, along with a recent The Oprah Winfrey Show featuring puppy mills have helped raise awareness .Now the flea market will advise patrons to visit animal shelters and/or rescue groups.
Breeder Tim Morris sold puppies there over a decade. He and his partner, Jamie Sellers, operate "Ponderosa Pups" in Pontotoc, Mississippi and sell 10-20 puppies a month in Memphis."This is an ungodly good business for us," said Morris, who resents the puppy mill implications. "If there's a problem with one of our babies, we'll take care of it."
The animals you have seen being sold at the flea markets, as a rule, run from $500- $1200.00...mostly at the higher end. Go to your local animal shelter and you can adopt a pet with all their shots and vaccinations for approximately $75.00. You do the math. Plus you save a precious life and build a stronger community when you adopt.
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Memphis shelters euthanize over 10,000 healthy adoptable animals a year. For breeders to be selling puppies and kittens while so many are being killed is unconscionable. Thankfully the media is helping to bring much needed transparency.
But it takes people who will follow up and go after the ones who are profiting from the ignorance of the public-at-large. Cindy Sanders, along with fellow advocates, have demonstrated to the community that compassion, determination and persistence can indeed pay off and help the animals..no matter how futile you may think the situation.
What you can do:1. Please read new story about how Tennessee Fairgrounds has taken action to ban animal sales since the Memphis ban last month.
No More Animal Sales At State Fairgroundshttp://www.newschannel5.com/global/story.asp?s=8662641Executive Director Cites Growing Concerns As Cause
2. Read about largest Puppy Mill Bust in history of Tennessee conducted in June through joint efforts.
http://www.network.bestfriends.org/tennessee/news/26617.html