mill251 Puppy Mill Action Week beginsThis holiday season, thousands of puppies will be purchased as holiday gifts for loved ones. Many unsuspecting shoppers, however, will be giving their loved ones the gift of animal cruelty.

Yesterday marked the beginning of Puppy Mill Action Week (it also marked the beginning of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence), so expect to see a lot about puppy mills and what you can do to stop them in the coming days.

Here is a video from a recent undercover investigation that the Humane Society of the United States conducted in Virginia.

What you can do to shut down puppy mills:

  • Adopt from local animal shelters and rescue organizations, never buy from pet stores, websites or newspaper ads
  • Boycott pet stores that sell dogs; tell the store owners why you are boycotting them and have your friends do the same
  • Write letters to the editor of your local newspapers
  • Educate your friends and family
    Sign up for our free monthly email newsletter or volunteer list-serve to stay up-to-date on events, actions and legislation.
  • Help end the status of animals as property. One easy way of doing this is to refer to yourself as a caretaker, guardian, companion or friend rather than as an “owner” or “master.” Much of the suffering on behalf of animals is due to their status as mere objects to be done with as their “owner” pleases.