Male volunteers take part in the "Muscles Against Mills" campaign launched by Save-A-Pet Animal Rescue and Adoption Center, Inc. during "Puppy Mill Awareness Month".
Save-A-Pet Launches "Muscles Against Mills" Campaign
Announcement Comes on the Heels of USDA Crackdown of Online Puppy Mills
To help further raise awareness of the deplorable conditions of puppy mills, Save-A-Pet Animal Rescue and
Adoption Center, Inc. has launched its "Muscles Against Mills" campaign. The campaign coincides with
September's designation as "Puppy Mill Awareness Month" and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's recent
crackdown on online puppy mills. Earlier this month, the USDA
announced the agency had closed a loophole
in the federal Animal Welfare Act that exempted Internet dog breeders from being licensed and inspected.
Under the new rules, sellers will either have to let buyers see the animals in person before they purchase
them or obtain a license and be subjected to inspections by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services
division of the USDA.
"The new law regarding Internet puppy mills is a step in the right direction," said Save-A-Pet Founder/President
Dori Scofield, who has long been an outspoken advocate in the fight against puppy mills. "However, so much more
needs to be done. All of us in the fight against cruelty are anxiously awaiting for Governor Cuomo to sign a
new bill - A740a/S.3753a - into law, which will allow local government to set forth legislation regarding the
standard of care for pet shops and puppy mills in New York State."
To that end, Save-A-Pet wanted to join the fight and launched its "Muscles Against Mills" campaign, to correspond
with Puppy Mill Awareness Month.
While the public has become more aware in recent years of the conditions of puppy mills, many still do not
understand the horrors that routinely take place in such locations and continue to buy dogs from irresponsible
breeders or pet shops.
"These dogs live in the most inhumane conditions imaginable," said Ms. Scofield, who has had a hand in the closing
of pet shops in her area. "People only see the cute puppy in the store, but if they saw the filthy wire cages and
horrific abuse the parents of these animals suffer while being forced to breed over and over again, they would
'adopt, not shop,' as we always try to tell everyone."
"The pet population has reached an all-time high - especially here on Long Island," said Ms. Scofield. "We all
need to do our part to further raise awareness for the cause and hope that the growing movement will fuel additional,
necessary legislation - both on a national and local level."
Save-A-Pet urges the public to come by the shelter to see the many companion animals that are available for adoption.
If you cannot adopt a pet at this time, please consider volunteering or making a donation to the shelter.
For more information, please contact Save-A-Pet at (631) 473-6333 or visit www.saveapetli.org.
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