Poor Dave. What a dismal view. this discussion about puppy mills has
been/AKC/what to do, has been just that, a discussion. Unfortunately,
sometimes what we mean, or what we might post tongue-in-cheek, sounds
different to people than what we meant it to sound. But this discussion
has gone on before and will go on again.
There really is no consensus we can reach here. We all come from
different walks of life, have different values and perspectives, and
different ways of expressing ourselves. Some of us have been "in dogs"
40+ years, some less than a year. Some of us have gained a lot of
knowledge and experience, some are just learning. So you see, we are
bound to have lively discussion but the one thing we all have in common
is our love of dogs and, in particular on this list, Cavaliers.
It is difficult to think about any dog of any breed in a commercial
operation/puppy mill. We can't even agree on that definition and why?
Because no one can. In my own animal Control Board Advisory group in my
county, we are trying to work up the difference in definition of "puppy
mill", "commercial breeder", "backyard breeder", and "hobby breeder."
That may become a moot point now that the Doris Day Animal League got us
all put under the USDA as commercial breeders.
We don't agree on whether or not to rescue dogs from the auctions. On
the one hand, intellectually, we know that to buy those dogs only
perpetuates the problem. But which of us would condemn anyone for doing
it?
What can we do? We need to be aware of what is going on. We need to be
careful that we don't just take as gospel anything we see e mailed to
us, do some research before pointing fingers at AKC or whomever.
Support organizations that are at least TRYING to do something, even if
they aren't doing it as quickly as we think they should. Support one
another when needed. If there is a problem breeder or puppy mill in
your area, maybe the rest of us could write letters.
The most important thing is to be involved in your own community. Take
note of what your humane society, animal control, etc. are doing and if
they are not up to your standards, WORK with them and try to get them
there. We cannot save the world, but each of us can make our own little
part of it a better place for the animals we love.
The other thing that is important, is to remember to love your fellow
man and treat them with as much compassion and understanding as you
give your dogs.
Carol Williams
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