Walk sheds light on puppy mills

September is Puppy Mill Awareness Month. Iowa has more than 200 puppy mills and is the second worst state in the nation for having puppy mills. Work is being done at all levels, from those who are working with legislators, such as Iowa Voters for Companion Animals. Those who are going out into schools and other places educating people, such as Bailing Out Benji, others who peacefully protest pet stores who choose to sell puppies that come from a mill, and those who choose to adopt from a local rescue/shelter.

What is a puppy mill? A puppy mill is when a licensed USDA breeder has many male and female dogs that they breed to sell to pet stores all over the U.S. for profit. The dogs are kept in cages just 6 inches bigger then they are. They don't get any socialization, touch grass, play fetch, learn commands and feel no love from the humans who hold them as prisoners in cages. Some kennels are outside so they have to endure the hot humid temps, rain, hail, snow and freezing cold temps. Others are kept inside where they see no sunshine and never get fresh air. Either way they are trapped, prisoners for life.

A Puppy Mill Awareness Walk will be held 1 p.m. Sept. 28 at Noelridge Park. Go to www.iafriends.org to register and for more information.

Shannon Studt

Lisbon