I t’s good news that municipalities in New York will now be able to enact stricter regulations on puppy mills.
However, prospective animal guardians can also do their part to stop animals from suffering in cruel mass-breeding mills by adopting animals from shelters instead of buying them from pet stores, breeders, parking lots, classified ads or through the Internet.
Puppies and kittens that are sold through these channels often come from warehouses where animals are kept in tiny, feces-caked cages and are never given any love, attention or even a chance to roll in the grass. Food, veterinary care and shelter are often inadequate, and female animals are often killed when their worn-out bodies can no longer produce offspring. Many mother dogs spin endlessly in their cages, driven mad from years of deprivation.
In light of this — as well as the countless lovable animals waiting in shelters for good homes — adoption is the kind option for people who care about animals.
Visit www.peta.org to learn more. Lindsay Pollard-Post The PETA Foundation
Norfolk, Va.