Archive
Wordless Wednesday #113
One more puppy miller bites the dust
Sometimes the tide turns in a dog’s favor.
For 161 Malamutes in Montana it took a while for that tide to turn, but turn it did.
On October 18, 2012, the owner of the dog breeding facility (i.e., puppy mill) in which these dogs were kept, Mike Chilinski, was convicted of 91 counts of animal cruelty.
According to Jefferson County district attorney Mathew Johnson said the dogs were “were in serious poor health from lack of adequate nutrition”. Four veterinarians testified during the trial and said most of the dogs were severely underweight, and had scars and parasites.
I can’t help but be happy on behalf of the dogs that suffered and/or died under his care. Here in Minnesota, we are lucky to get an animal cruelty conviction for dogs suffering under similar conditions. Let’s face it the laws suck here.
That’s right. I’m not mincing my words today.
A many of you know, it is my never-ending plea that people stop buying puppies from pet stores or over the internet. I have shared the following information over the past few years, but it bears sharing again.
USDA-licensed does NOT mean they are not a puppy mill.
Mike Chilinski does not appear to have been a USDA-licensed breeder, but that is not too surprising these days. Most puppy millers are choosing to forgo the USDA license to avoid inspections. Without the USDA license they cannot sell to pet stores, but they CAN sell over the internet as Mr. Chilinski did.
“This case should open people’s eyes to the fact that even people who advertise alleged ‘show-quality’ dogs may actually be operating puppy mills,” she said. “It’s easy to hide the truth behind a professional-looking website that seems to say all the right things.” (Gina Wiest, executive director of the Lewis and Clark Humane Society)
Having a dog with an AKC certification means nothing. Puppy mill dogs can also be AKC certified.
Responsible dog breeders do not sell their dogs to pet stores or over the internet
“I have shipped dogs for 30 years and have never had an incident. I have dogs in Australia and on every continent.”(testimony of Mike Chilinski)
Puppy mills are cruel and horrible places where dogs are kept in deplorable conditions because it’s not about the dogs, it’s about the money.
Bill and Carole Peterson of Nye, provided a deputy with photos of what they suspected of being a puppy mill. The couple went to the residence in mid-September to purchase a Malamute puppy and say they were horrified by the conditions of the dogs, which were living in kennels full of feces with little to no water. (Puppy mill and illegal pot operation busted in Jefferson City, Independent Record, 10/14/2011)
I found it a bit ironic that Mr. Chilinski was convicted without the USDA Proposed Rule Change being in place since he was opposed to it. You can see his name signed here (petitioner #2509):
His comment on the petition?
I’m guessing he still feels his 3rd amendment rights were violated, but it didn’t take the USDA to convict him, just his own cruelty caught on film. One more puppy mill closed down.
Don’t shop, Adopt.
Don’t buy over the internet, Adopt.
An update on the Malamutes rescued last October:
The dogs are now being transitioned to the care of Malamute rescue groups around the country who have offered help in placing the dogs in permanent homes. Lewis and Clark Humane Society says that the finalization of the adoption process will have to wait until after sentencing, in about two to three weeks.
Potential adopters can email the American Malamute Assistance League (AMAL) at contact@malamuterescue.org to get on a list to adopt one of the malamutes.
Dog Park Fun
For last week’s Wordless Wednesday, I shared a photo of some of the dogs (including Jasper) playing chase at the dog park. There were actually a series of photos I took that day featuring the same group. I thought I would share them today and make it an easy going Monday morning post.
I hope they bring you a small smile as you begin your week. Have a great day!
Black & White Sunday #11 – Fun at the dog park
Abby and Clover
My thanks to our hosts for this blog hop You Did What With Your Weiner, My Life in Blog Years and Dachshund Nola.
Unfortunately, WordPress.com doesn’t allow Java script so I can’t provide a direct link to the linky, but you can join here.
Rules of participation:
1) Please only submit a photo! Black and White Sunday is a way to give people a break from long posts, and letting them view more blogs because of that. If you MUST add text, please keep it very short (1-3 sentences)
2) ONLY BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS!!! No color. Black and White Sunday is a challenge to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.
3) ONLY LINK UP IF YOU ARE PARTICIPATING IN BLACK AND WHITE SUNDAY!! No spam, please.
4) Grab the badge and link up!
5) Of course, have fun!
Favorite Video Friday – How a Greyhound fits in
As it gets colder here and throughout the midwest, we are all looking for more ways to stay warm – adding an extra blanket, turning up the heat and cuddling a little more with our pets.
This week’s Favorite Video Friday features a greyhound who is looking to stay warm in an unusual way. One has to wonder how he manages to fit himself into such a small space.
Is he looking for warmth? Does he feel safer in small spaces? Does he just want to let the cats know they don’t own the place? I’m not sure, but either way, it’s adorable to see. I hope you get a giggle out of this greyhound’s attempt to fit in.
Happy Friday everyone!
Puppy mill news we can all cheer about
A couple of weeks ago, I shared a story on my Facebook page about work being done to ban the retail sale of animals in Los Angeles, California. Well, guess what? It passed!
This is really great news for many reasons, including:
- It stops the flow of puppy mill dogs into Los Angeles, and essentially closes down another avenue in which puppy and kitty mills can sell their dogs and cats.
- It increases the chance that a a dog sitting in a shelter, or being cared for by a rescue, will get adopted, thus finding homes for the dogs and cats who really need them most.
- It provides a model for how we may be able to stop puppy mills at a local level.
Already other cities and towns are calling to find out about the work done to pass an ordinance like this, and you can bet people are already thinking about how they can organize and pass one in their communities. Chicago, in particular, appears to be the next big municipality to consider such a progressive ordinance.
This definitely looks like a model for the future. One thing we know for sure, it will hit puppy mills right where it hurts them most – their pocketbooks.
Want to know more about how Best Friends and local Los Angeles city leaders led this change? Read “At long last, pet sales on the way out in L.A.”
My kudos to the Best Friends Animal Society, and most especially Elizabeth Oreck, for leading this work. I have great respect for all you do. You continue to lead the fight for animals in such new and creative ways. Thank you for leading from the front.
Wordless Wednesday #112
Raise $5000 for Rescue Pets This Week – Just Tweet and Post! #BTC4A
For every tweet and blog post featuring the #BTC4A hashtag (short for Be the Change for Animals) from October 22-27, Petco will donate $1 for rescue pets – up to $5000 – at BarkWorld!
Roxie – Available for adoption through Minnesota Sheltie Rescue
Now this is a fundraiser I can get behind!
Rescues don’t see donations of this size every day. Heck, they are lucky to even see it in a year!
Having worked with my rescue group, Minnesota Sheltie Rescue, for over a year now. I can vouch for the impact a donation like this would have on one rescue, much less three.
I know, first hand, how much my small, local rescue does in my community. So many small rescues are doing the same thing across these United States. They help so many animals in need and could help so many more if only they had the money to do so. I understand the impact generous donations have on the work they do.
The money you donate pays for spaying, neutering, vaccinations, dental care, heartworm testing, and treating injuries or illness. Why not make these goals as easily attainable as possible?
Roxie was saved just over a month ago and is now ready for her new home. Her story can be the story of many other rescued pets with your help. It’s so easy!
ACT NOW!
- Tweet this now through Saturday, October 27th at 11 AM (EST) :
Rescue pets receive $1 from @Petco at @BarkWorldExpo for each #BTC4A tweet from Oct 22-27! Learn more: http://ht.ly/eEls7
- Blog about what rescue means to you, now through Saturday, October 27th at 11 AM (EST). Add #BTC4A to your post title. Add your post link (not just your domain) to the blog hop list below to be counted. Bonus: Each time your post is tweeted, you’ll earn more money for rescue pets!
- Nominate your favorite no-kill 501(c)3 rescue or shelter at the Petco booth through Friday, October 26th! (BarkWorld Attendees only.)
Why It Matters
Animal organizations need funds for food, vaccinations, spays, neuters, treatment of injuries and illness – expenses that adoption fees don’t fully cover. General donations allow an organization to address their most pressing needs. Together, we can raise $5000 to assist local, no-kill rescues and shelters!
We animal lovers at Be the Change for Animals, BarkWorld, Petco, and Two Little Cavaliers believe that helping rescue pets is important. We know you do too. Make the difference. Be, Blog and Tweet the Change for Animals!
The BIG WINNERS will be announced this weekend during BarkWorld’s Petco session on Saturday!
You DO NOT need to attend BarkWorld to participate.
Simply tweet or post and help us raise $5,000!
We’ll let you know who wins, right here!!
Can your personality pick your dog breed?
I love personality tests and questionnaires that give you some insight into yourself. When I volunteered at our local shelter, we introduced the Meet Your Match program to help improve dog retention numbers for adopted dogs and cats. I took the short questionnaire and was surprised to find out that I prefer “Green” dogs. I was also surprised to learn that I was not all that common amongst the group of volunteers I worked with every day. Most of my friends preferred the Orange or Purple dogs. It sure gave me insight into myself and the dogs I preferred. I’m not sure I knew that I liked the really busy and active dogs as much as I did. Now? I totally recognize it. I gravitate towards the busy ones the most.
Maybe that’s why I was so interested in this story when I saw it. “What Your Dog’s Breed Says About You” highlights a new study on the correlation between personality and dog breed preferences. It seems pretty similar to Meet Your Match, but reveals new information that may help with pet adoption in the future.
The researchers wanted to see how personality traits would influence real-world behavior and preferences.What they found out was interesting.
Here’s a quick highlight of what was shared in the article:
They researchers asked 1000 purebreed dog owners to take an online survey that measured these personality traits:
- openness
- conscientiousness
- extroversion
- agreeableness
- neuroticism.
The researchers also split the dog breeds into categories using the seven Kennel Club breed groups:
- Gun dogs (e.g., Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, English Setter, Brittany Spaniel, Weimaraner, etc.))
- Hound dogs (e.g., Greyhound, Afghan, Bloodhound, Saluki, Basenji, Borzoi, Dachshund, etc.)
- Pastoral breeds (e.g., German shepherd, Collis, Anatolian Shepherd, Shetland Sheepdog, Border Collie, etc.)
- Terriers (e.g., Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Airedale Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, Soft-coated Wheaton Terrier, etc.)
- Toy breeds (e.g., Chihuahua, Bichon Frise, King Charles Spaniel, Papillon, Havanese, etc.)
- Utility breeds (includes Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Poodle, Schnauzer, etc.)
- Working breeds (e.g., Doberman, Boxer, Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Dane, Mastiff, etc.)
They found that there were some correlations between personality types and dog breed preferences.
- Extroverts were more likely to own pastoral or utility breeds
- Owners of gun dogs and toy dogs were most agreeable.
- Hound owners tend to be the most emotionally stable people.
- Toy dog owners were the most open and imaginative.
The researchers presented their results to the British Psychological Society Annual Conference in London. Their hope is that this new information will help people pick the right breed the first time and lessen the chances that a dog ends up in an animal shelter.
What do you think? If you could identify which dog breed, or mix of dog breeds, best fits your personality would you want to know? Would you use it to help you select your next dog?
Black & White Sunday #10 – Best Friends
Jasper and Cupcake
My thanks to our hosts for this blog hop You Did What With Your Weiner, My Life in Blog Years and Dachshund Nola.
Unfortunately, WordPress.com doesn’t allow Java script so I can’t provide a direct link to the linky, but you can join here.
Rules of participation:
1) Please only submit a photo! Black and White Sunday is a way to give people a break from long posts, and letting them view more blogs because of that. If you MUST add text, please keep it very short (1-3 sentences)
2) ONLY BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS!!! No color. Black and White Sunday is a challenge to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.
3) ONLY LINK UP IF YOU ARE PARTICIPATING IN BLACK AND WHITE SUNDAY!! No spam, please.
4) Grab the badge and link up!
5) Of course, have fun!
No Dog About It Blog 