tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74682275816474042142024-03-14T06:06:17.491-07:00The Family Puppy BoycottPam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-34979017427692441822019-04-29T05:31:00.001-07:002019-04-29T05:32:17.665-07:00Predatory pet leasing schemes in Michigan<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In 2017, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) issued <a href="https://www.aspca.org/news/beware-puppy-leasing">consumer alerts</a> through the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/acadiana/news-events/news-releases/2017/03/leasing-a-new-puppy/">Better Business Bureau </a>and media outlets warning families about predatory financing practices, including “pet leasing” where the puppies are held as collateral. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Financing options allow puppy stores to sell puppies to families who otherwise are not able to pay the full price. Depending on your credit history, you might end up "renting" your puppy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Check the fine print!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When puppy buyers sign a lease agreement, the leasing company buys the puppy from the puppy store and retains ownership of the puppy until the customer makes all the monthly payments.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Puppy buyers can be easily misled by the financing language because the store employees do not understand the loan terms or simply desire to make the sale by glossing over them. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcxWbNTLDdJnuIycpMHFIsPaFjonBs5SyLyHprpks31mUQk_EAEPzGlqPsfqsfrLHL-KTFDVyMwLutIiIrhIgnfUiISnyjcRIsOdlTP99kxzQtC0xERjHFB06Vi75L4ji4dLuJyw4za4/s1600/IMG_9624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcxWbNTLDdJnuIycpMHFIsPaFjonBs5SyLyHprpks31mUQk_EAEPzGlqPsfqsfrLHL-KTFDVyMwLutIiIrhIgnfUiISnyjcRIsOdlTP99kxzQtC0xERjHFB06Vi75L4ji4dLuJyw4za4/s320/IMG_9624.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><i>The Family Puppy (Novi, MI) September 27, 2011<br />Photo Credit, Puppy Mill Awareness SE Michigan</i>. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Two Michigan pet stores offer pet leasing: The Barking Boutique (Grandville) and The Family Puppy (Flint, Troy, Novi), resulting in <a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/mi/grandville/profile/pet-services/the-barking-boutique-llc-0372-38226271">complaints</a> filed with the BBB. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Both stores advertised “My Pet Funding” last year as a financing option on their websites. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The ad’s fine print read as follows: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">“AFTER MAKING YOUR REGULAR MONTHLY PAYMENTS </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">AND A SEPARATE RESIDUAL PAYMENT AT THE END OF THE LEASE</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </span><u style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-align: center;">OWNERSHIP WILL TRANSFER TO THE BUYER</u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now both The Barking Boutique and The Family Puppy stores advertise "Credova" on their websites. According to Credova's wesite, they are not actual lenders. The bottom of their website states:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Credova provides a software platform for retailers </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">to access third-party providers for </span><u style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">lease-to-own financing </u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and other lending products based on a consumer’s credit profile."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Barking Boutique and Petland (Novi) puppy stores also offer high interest rate loans through Lending USA. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">According to a recent <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/05/16/repossess-fido-lawmakers-look-ban-pet-leasing/615348002/">USA Today article</a> “Pet leasing has been drawing scrutiny from lawmakers and animal welfare groups since media reports highlighted consumer complaints against Reno, Nevada-based Wags Lending, which pioneered the practice. Nevada and California have now outlawed pet leasing, and New York lawmakers are proposing legislation prohibiting lease contracts "where dogs or cats are used as collateral." </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In January, </span><a href="http://www.thefamuanonline.com/news/view.php/1036824/Bill-would-end-pet-leasing-in-Florida" style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Florida</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> joined the list of states with plans to ban predatory pet lending. The bill would require contracts to be voided if the pet could be used as collateral to ensure payments of the contract.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Even the <a href="https://www.akc.org/clubs-delegates/government-relations/government-relations-blogs/akc-board-addresses-predatory-pet-leasing/">American Kennel Club</a>, a longtime supporter of the commercial dog breeding industry, opposes pet leasing:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“AKC supports a ban on predatory pet leasing schemes that victimize potential owners, undermine a lifetime commitment to a pet, and do not confer the rights and </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">responsibilities associated with legal ownership of a pet.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bloomberg’s March 1, 2017 article “<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-03-01/i-m-renting-a-dog">I am renting a dog</a>” includes the most thorough coverage of this new tactic to help peddle puppies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Related blog: </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://puppymillawarenessmichigan.blogspot.com/2018/08/warning-puppy-loans-and-rental.html">Warning Puppy Loans and "Rental" Agreements</a></span></span></span></div>
Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-1960015932536760112015-09-22T12:11:00.001-07:002015-09-22T12:12:56.942-07:00Letter to Twelve Mile Crossing at Fountain Walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZvrtiCLqX3G3aGVhtjuyh1qv4cUCoS3vhyphenhypheniGqt0EhXv448JbnH6OH8dUWmlY62NIOpi-Jk2ByLT4zl6IkU6k7Q2vYrzPpv23P8hrAOKz9FL0BOd5Nandoo2Rz6i9PUAXBl6ZOItu1R8/s1600/IMG_9625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZvrtiCLqX3G3aGVhtjuyh1qv4cUCoS3vhyphenhypheniGqt0EhXv448JbnH6OH8dUWmlY62NIOpi-Jk2ByLT4zl6IkU6k7Q2vYrzPpv23P8hrAOKz9FL0BOd5Nandoo2Rz6i9PUAXBl6ZOItu1R8/s320/IMG_9625.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Twelve Mile Crossing at Fountain Walk, 44175 W 12 Mile Rd
Novi, MI 48377<br />
September 22, 2015<br />
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Dear Ms. Kaufman,<br />
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This letter is to inform you are we holding our annual Puppy Mill Awareness Day event in Novi again this year on September 27th with 27 other local organizations near the Fountain Walk. Last year, nearly 200 participants created a human chain along Novi Road to bring awareness to the very important social issue involving Michigan pets.<br />
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Puppy importation records show The Family Puppy, operating out of your shopping center, is shipping in puppies with diseases, illnesses and genetic issues and are still working with out-of-state commercial breeders.
<a href="http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2014/10/05/Toledo-owner-defends-business-on-1-year-anniversary-of-opening.html">Read More</a>:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-VASZlb1Z6Vo3NVBW7WmWJTJoZyZwLEVgqx5s0a9k4kVJgD4CoQ3b1PpZqy5BtmRSHVTP5jBf9zP2YLwVlTFDRqJI3T9iMkaM1f8qVS_UXWlgMpIbh8kfm_5ZpDzMW4CMkf_WN14qa0/s1600/081312Photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-VASZlb1Z6Vo3NVBW7WmWJTJoZyZwLEVgqx5s0a9k4kVJgD4CoQ3b1PpZqy5BtmRSHVTP5jBf9zP2YLwVlTFDRqJI3T9iMkaM1f8qVS_UXWlgMpIbh8kfm_5ZpDzMW4CMkf_WN14qa0/s320/081312Photo1.jpg" width="309" /></a>“Puppy mills” and “kitten mills” are large scale commercial breeders that produce millions of animals every year for commercial sale without regard for the health and well-being of the animals. Pet stores selling live animals have traditionally been a sales outlet for young dogs and cats bred in puppy mills and kitten mills both within the United States and abroad. It is estimated that 10,000 puppy mills produce more than 2,400,000 puppies a year in the United States and that most pet store puppies and many pet store kittens come from puppy mills and kitten mills, respectively.<br />
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Responsible dog breeders belong to local breed clubs, which normally have a Code of Ethics that does not allow sales to pet stores. Good breeders have waiting lists and never a surplus of puppies. Responsible breeders take pride in their work and want to know where their puppies are being placed so they can re-home them if there are any problems.
It is not feasible for large-scale commercial breeding operations to provide appropriate care to the animals because it would eliminate the profits these businesses seek. It is cost prohibitive to employ the number of people necessary to clean, perform maintenance, feed, exercise, socialize, bathe and groom the animals, as well as, to provide proper housing, space, food, water, supplies, and veterinary care. These operations are relying on as little expense and as much production as possible. The animals are sold as a commodity at auctions, to brokers, and to retail stores. There is no concern for the quality of life of the dogs. In itself, keeping a dog confined for its lifetime for the sole purposes of continuous breeding is cruel and inhumane.<br />
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According to our latest interstate shipping records, Steven Lehman (Middlebury, IN) has been a primary puppy supplier to The Family Puppy. In 2015, Lehman was cited for having expired medications, not seeking veterinary care for a senior (9 year old) breeding female with lumpy discolored breasts, leaving excessive hair and grime on feeling containers and leaving water with accumulated grime. Lehman has a history of similar violations to the Animal Welfare Act going back to 2009 and kennels from 16 to 39 adult dogs at one time. The USDA has not been able to inspect Lehman’s kennel annually. On many occasions, no one is available at the kennel when the inspector arrives.<br />
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Most families would never purchase directly from facilities like these, and the standards are far below what almost any person would consider acceptable.<br />
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In 2013, Lehman shipped 95 puppies to The Family Puppy stores and 17 (or 18%) of them had some genetic related item listed on their interstate shipping record as noted by the store’s veterinarian. The genetic items noted included unclosed soft spots on skulls, missing testicals, loose knee caps, and under bites. The Family Puppy should not work with irresponsible breeders that would ship animals with these conditions.
The USDA standards are mostly ‘survival standards’. These standards are poorly followed and badly enforced. In 2010, the USDA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG), the law enforcement arm of the agency, released a report criticizing the USDA’s long history of lax oversight of commercial dog breeders under the Animal Welfare Act. The report reviewed inspections and enforcement actions taken against dog dealers from 2006-2008 and found that USDA inspectors failed to cite or properly document inhumane treatment and brought little to no enforcement actions against violators.<br />
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We hope you address this problem and consider signing a Puppy Friendly Pet Store Pledge agreeing not to sell puppies or any live animals in Fountain Walk. Just last month, the Humane Society of the United States assisted the Gibraltar Trade Center, a large public market in Mount Clemens, Michigan, in implementing a “puppy friendly” policy. The market’s new policy does not allow any animal sales at all, but welcomes adoptable dogs, cats and birds from Macomb County Animal Control. Read more:
<a href="http://www.candgnews.com/news/animal-control-now-offering-open-adoptions-gibraltar-85905">Animal Control now offering open adoptions at Gibraltar </a><br />
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I would be happy to speak with you about any concerns or questions you may have about converting your shopping center to a humane outlet for homeless pets, or puppy mills in general. I can also offer to help facilitate relationships with local shelters and foster-based rescue organizations to reduce the number of healthy pets euthanized in Michigan.<br />
<br />
Pam Sordyl<br />
Founder of Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan
Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-81814639944407467452014-07-14T04:29:00.001-07:002019-02-14T07:21:17.897-08:00Human Chain through Novi<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYY2xVzjhiWpemufn0a-qEZClSBay8u246z_8AtvF2VfssFDAgLmF0ATBybs-m1E488Y8Qyx6aQoIQNOewAGFEfhzvXsxYixJDy1Mr6XViiYPHT2vk2Ol_mxluPcMbqrZfo1C4K1Jl1M/s1600/Flyer_v7_nologos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYY2xVzjhiWpemufn0a-qEZClSBay8u246z_8AtvF2VfssFDAgLmF0ATBybs-m1E488Y8Qyx6aQoIQNOewAGFEfhzvXsxYixJDy1Mr6XViiYPHT2vk2Ol_mxluPcMbqrZfo1C4K1Jl1M/s1600/Flyer_v7_nologos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Let’s tell </span><st1:place><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Novi</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> to stop selling puppies from puppy mills! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/524594081002013/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular">Join us</a> to form a Puppy
Mill Awareness Human Chain through </span><st1:place><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Novi</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: "calibri";">. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<st1:place><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Novi</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> is </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Michigan</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-family: "calibri";">’s “Puppy Retail Capital” with two big box puppy stores.
<u>Petland</u> is located in the Twelve Oaks Mall and is our nation’s largest
retail chain importing an average of 80 puppies a month. <u>The Family Puppy</u>
is located in Fountain Walk across the street and is our state’s largest
retailer of puppies with three remaining stores. Learn more about their
suppliers on <a href="http://michiganpuppymills.com/shameful-pet-stores.php">our website</a>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7HXK6NHhR8lRi8bvti67LWxeQhytV1ZrEQe-JXZXxDRe8PM_Or-1Az4KVI4MUDQ7pZULDnZXwSAQ81g_jYgmN60VscMvNu-InfNtL24FEHB-pQbsVI7AwCxX-PvXY2Oe4ufm2LTVc00/s1600/PMAHumanChain092014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7HXK6NHhR8lRi8bvti67LWxeQhytV1ZrEQe-JXZXxDRe8PM_Or-1Az4KVI4MUDQ7pZULDnZXwSAQ81g_jYgmN60VscMvNu-InfNtL24FEHB-pQbsVI7AwCxX-PvXY2Oe4ufm2LTVc00/s1600/PMAHumanChain092014.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Join us on </span><st1:date day="20" month="9" year="2014"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Saturday,
September 20, 2014</span></st1:date><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> from </span><st1:time hour="12" minute="0"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">12:00 pm – 1:30 pm</span></st1:time><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> to form a Human Chain through </span><st1:place><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Novi</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: "calibri";">. Wear a red bandana. Rain or shine, so consider bringing a rain coat
as it will be hard to hold an umbrella and hold hands. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Our goal is to have 300
people holding hands from the south end of the 96 overpass to the entrance of
the Twelve Oaks Mall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Participants are
asked to stand on east side of road. Check-in near Denny’s or Famous Daves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">HOSTS:</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> Puppy Mill Awareness of </span><st1:place><span style="font-family: "calibri";">SE Michigan</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> and The Humane Society of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-family: "calibri";">United States</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> (HSUS) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">PRIMARY CONTACT:</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pam Sordyl
734-718-7100<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">CO-HOSTS:</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If your
organization, shelter or business would like to co-host this event, please send
an email to <a href="mailto:pmamichinfo@yahoo.com"><span style="color: blue;">pmamichinfo@yahoo.com</span></a>,
attention Pam Sordyl. Early notification requested by July 14<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Co-hosting would only involve a few things:</span><br />
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<li><div style="mso-special-character: line-break;">
<b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Your logo on our flyer</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> and other event materials. </span></div>
</li>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Event promotion</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> on your facebook, twitter and website. Very easy!<o:p></o:p></span> </div>
</li>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Attend!</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> Wear your organization’s t-shirt and a red bandanna. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">The more organizations behind the event, the louder the message to
the City Council and Mall Management. We want the mall to GO HUMANE and the
city to prohibit the retail sales of puppies!</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">EVENT DO’S and DON’TS</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">DO wear a red bandana.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">DO wear your animal welfare organization’s
t-shirt. If independent, wear a black or white shirt. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">DO bring a rain coat, umbrella’s won’t work if
we are holding hands!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">DO NOT Bring your dog. </span><st1:place><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Novi</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> road is too busy and dangerous.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">DO NOT Bring your own sign. We will provide
them. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">DO Park in designated parking areas.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">DO NOT walk or park in Twelve Oaks mall
parking lots. We have to stay on public property. For this event we will
not need to cut across the mall property. The easement is approximately 20
feet from the road.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">DO NOT go into either puppy store, before,
during or after the event. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">DO NOT block the footpath, so please make sure
that you stay up against the east-side railing of the overpass and allow
free passage of cyclists and pedestrians.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">DO NOT pass out flyers. We will have approved
literature and can not interfere with traffic. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">DO NOT interrupt the flow of traffic. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell people to pull around near one of
the check-in areas if they have questions. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">DO NOT approach cars exiting the mall at the
light. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">DO be peaceful and do not engage with any
opposition. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">DO NOT respond to any taunts, verbal abuse or
insults coming from passerbys - YOUR ADVERSE REACTION is what they want.
We usually just wave as if they were supporting us!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">DO obey police officers, no questions asked.
Always cooperate even if you feel like something is unfair. We can always
handle issues at the police station the next day. Direct officers to an
event coordinator. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">NOTHING is permitted to be put into the
ground. We may have pre-approved banners, but they will need to be held. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">NOTHING is permitted to be affixed to any part
of the overpass, railings, or municipal signs. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">NOTHING is permitted to be dropped or thrown
from the overpass. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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</div>
</div>
Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-42775091940711214692014-01-17T07:34:00.001-08:002014-01-17T07:36:36.539-08:00Is The Family Puppy closing stores? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIV7RdkfEOR6P8XfsDSErtOMRMSWXkGA5L0QqXAPFg2pFni4FALnSxwYuLRbsA1PM6Z1fbyjFYiH-KaCmcju7E2Rfyvf1o1jDSRMfvraSF-wduPEZbevHcR5xmw00218KRoyP44Rpn68/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIV7RdkfEOR6P8XfsDSErtOMRMSWXkGA5L0QqXAPFg2pFni4FALnSxwYuLRbsA1PM6Z1fbyjFYiH-KaCmcju7E2Rfyvf1o1jDSRMfvraSF-wduPEZbevHcR5xmw00218KRoyP44Rpn68/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIV7RdkfEOR6P8XfsDSErtOMRMSWXkGA5L0QqXAPFg2pFni4FALnSxwYuLRbsA1PM6Z1fbyjFYiH-KaCmcju7E2Rfyvf1o1jDSRMfvraSF-wduPEZbevHcR5xmw00218KRoyP44Rpn68/s1600/001.JPG" height="300" width="400" /><br />
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</a><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx596Fq0L55RpR3vIRN88skCqEpWDMQdHeT4E-iHLfgPJWWcdOlLmL7QN-1H0RiPCMiUFSXaIvAVJlTouJD6qfH04J1nTykMWFgGEeQrXpswhmjvZ4rHs-mESakvNEJbHJKOwh_Wb7Gwo/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx596Fq0L55RpR3vIRN88skCqEpWDMQdHeT4E-iHLfgPJWWcdOlLmL7QN-1H0RiPCMiUFSXaIvAVJlTouJD6qfH04J1nTykMWFgGEeQrXpswhmjvZ4rHs-mESakvNEJbHJKOwh_Wb7Gwo/s1600/003.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Their </span><st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Brighton</span></st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> location at the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Green</span></st1:placename><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Oaks</span></st1:placename><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Village</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> is definitely closed! Check out our store front photos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Their </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Roseville</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> location at
the Macomb Mall has been closed for “maintenance” issues all week. The Mall
Management stated they are having HVAC issues. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Over a year ago we learned The Family
Puppy may be struggling in </span><st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Brighton</span></st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. Former employees were reporting reduced hours, layoffs and few
customers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This fall we learned that
their veterinarian, Dr. Barbara Griffith, was servicing the store for free in
exchange for referrals. In the past, the store actually paid their vets. Was
this another sign the store was struggling? Possibly. In a 2012 statement to
the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Dr. Pinkston, who was servicing their </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Flint</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> store, stated he
would no longer work with the store because of problems with animals coming in
from out-of-state and the store had a huge debt and was unable to pay him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28oQ8YVnXCl-w2-TUuzeBmVmdOZKb78HolWXri9YI3UV3NSlE4_TMrIvF1Y-EB4WEZTTZzvVqyo5WjC9Vg9LzfZNeu7Ds_8shritR8SJ44qyDhefC4Ey_3N99feUN5ZRAbp-QV7kyRk8/s1600/1236948_10200705628397814_1562249722_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28oQ8YVnXCl-w2-TUuzeBmVmdOZKb78HolWXri9YI3UV3NSlE4_TMrIvF1Y-EB4WEZTTZzvVqyo5WjC9Vg9LzfZNeu7Ds_8shritR8SJ44qyDhefC4Ey_3N99feUN5ZRAbp-QV7kyRk8/s1600/1236948_10200705628397814_1562249722_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We haven’t made it easy for The Family
Puppy, </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Michigan</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">’s largest retailer of puppies. We started protesting their </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Flint</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> store in 2010
attracting regular media attention. After 70 protests in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Flint</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, we extended the
campaign to all the other stores with holiday protests in </span><st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Novi</span></st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Roseville</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Troy</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> and </span><st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Brighton</span></st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. Every mall
manager received an email stating why we were protesting. In 2012 we asked all
the local SE Michigan Malls to pledge not to sell puppies or kittens including </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Green</span></st1:placename><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Oaks</span></st1:placename><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Village</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThiQ_8TvhVOTQ-S8rkdlRQJoqXifHxuZdN249ZJvduGB5svUTE19WrAVM837imGJbHjNCu1rZZQWuwh4wBZS3mkwbNQrCJRnekOlY4Q12QYgXUNARa9e_2reLgGOWP1b29syPU1Tnf0E/s1600/1043980_10200705628637820_1157773405_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThiQ_8TvhVOTQ-S8rkdlRQJoqXifHxuZdN249ZJvduGB5svUTE19WrAVM837imGJbHjNCu1rZZQWuwh4wBZS3mkwbNQrCJRnekOlY4Q12QYgXUNARa9e_2reLgGOWP1b29syPU1Tnf0E/s1600/1043980_10200705628637820_1157773405_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Our efforts at exposing the stores largest
suppliers haven’t made it easy either. Box stores like The Family Puppy and
Petland need big kennels or big brokers to keep the shelves stocked with 8 week
old puppies. Marlin Bontrager (Rome City, In) went from almost 200 dogs to
approximately 50 dogs after we broadcast photos of his USDA violations and
brought the media to the Zoning meeting. Devon Troyer (Middlebury IN) stopped
shipments after local media coverage of his kennel. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Combined with families learning about
puppy mills and choosing to rescue instead, box puppy stores are no longer
popular and will have a hard time opening new stores. Even high priced public
relations firms can’t save them now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We will be supporting the </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Toledo</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> dog advocates in their
campaign efforts and continue to educate families here in </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Michigan</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. Thank you everyone
for all your hard work so far. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-61831998180377690082013-11-20T07:57:00.000-08:002013-11-20T07:58:27.760-08:00Toledo City Council hears debate on proposed pet sale regulations <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUepjx_zn1JAjNMeWaVB2q69m_wabBl5BU_3Z08kTsIN4AK7TIXwVEUV0lKIrafLCwdTam_ajRdPSwbcckjWDzWJdWjomYOgzb-ardJdMpN_MLBSoxEWIAbMTX9l7ogBn5rAubfcZf5Q/s1600/Paula+Hicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUepjx_zn1JAjNMeWaVB2q69m_wabBl5BU_3Z08kTsIN4AK7TIXwVEUV0lKIrafLCwdTam_ajRdPSwbcckjWDzWJdWjomYOgzb-ardJdMpN_MLBSoxEWIAbMTX9l7ogBn5rAubfcZf5Q/s320/Paula+Hicks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<st1:city><st1:place>TOLEDO</st1:place></st1:city> -- <st1:city><st1:place>Toledo</st1:place></st1:city>'s
City Council heard arguments Tuesday for and against a proposal that would
regulate the "sale of dogs and cats" by retail businesses.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Both sides were represented at the forum, but those in favor
of the legislation were the majority of those in attendance. <o:p> </o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Supporters say it would help ensure that unknowing consumers
do not buy animals that may have come from puppy mills.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfgcwk8xevhPO40_d9VIGDorsNPomkaEgeDGyiRuJmMsKW9XxeH0h113GG2mI7qphcMrcZcEPVPE2knT9q0VpPlOI58W558aLGa9i1TgD9e8WPDzEseYR_DPXKtogYkAR3ebhhPuZ4YU/s1600/IMG_1586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfgcwk8xevhPO40_d9VIGDorsNPomkaEgeDGyiRuJmMsKW9XxeH0h113GG2mI7qphcMrcZcEPVPE2knT9q0VpPlOI58W558aLGa9i1TgD9e8WPDzEseYR_DPXKtogYkAR3ebhhPuZ4YU/s320/IMG_1586.JPG" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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Some believe the measure would also encourage those looking
for a family pet to seek out animals in shelters, where they are in the care of
rescues and local humane societies.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Several of the animal advocates in attendance contend that
the Franklin Park Mall's "Family Puppy" store gets their
"product" from puppy mills.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSZD4F0LWB7YqoHzcSRbz4IamLrPdDcUqE7aBMIncvW8zj7-QV5VR4wTqn1x8jnLkJn_4L8fa119b4QCq5MHTvmAR1PbzX6jd7IgEHWF-sJD8NZP2J2MtEOpkSmuhxNMXnJA-vUhK1oQ/s1600/IMG_1591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSZD4F0LWB7YqoHzcSRbz4IamLrPdDcUqE7aBMIncvW8zj7-QV5VR4wTqn1x8jnLkJn_4L8fa119b4QCq5MHTvmAR1PbzX6jd7IgEHWF-sJD8NZP2J2MtEOpkSmuhxNMXnJA-vUhK1oQ/s320/IMG_1591.JPG" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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It's an accusation that the owner of the store has denied
numerous times and did so again during his comments before City Council
members.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
READ: "The Family Puppy" prepares to open at
Westfield Franklin Park Mall<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
"If you pass this ordinance, what will happen is the
families that would come to our store, that want a good source, that want
somebody that has gone to the breeder that is a good source, they will go
somewhere else," Family Puppy owner John Stottele said Tuesday.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Animal advocate and founder of a <st1:place><st1:placename>Lucas</st1:placename>
<st1:placename>County</st1:placename></st1:place> dog rescue, Jean Keating
told City Council she researched "The Family Puppy" background and
found otherwise.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
"I gave you a packet about a week ago that had some
actual data in it, from 3 of the major suppliers of [The Family Puppy]. I think
you can see the USDA is a government agency and they come in about once a year
to these facilities," Keating said of the conditions reported at the
suppliers.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Keating also pointed out that the ordinance would do more to
help keep animals safe than to hurt local businesses.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
According to Keating, around 30 percent of dogs are still
euthanized by the Lucas County Dog Warden despite efforts to get as many
adoptable pets into loving homes as possible. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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The proposal, which would allow the adoption of
"companion animals" from certain groups, would also take a stand
against puppy mill practices.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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City Council could vote on the ordinance as early as next
Tuesday.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-33434579489733658672013-10-06T08:17:00.000-07:002013-10-06T08:17:49.399-07:00Demonstrators speak out against new store in mall<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVRSY0m3V7rRIVdIlBn12TfcueNA9gRrQwStE4XDFfuEoWBl4VO4PL23dkGVNDQ60BSUmdSiRX9liKN6jsJNijSSb1LhgfHuZRi3mT6OAeBJVG0wR-I-nHNuCIH6DH9zeHvEi85p3ews/s1600/101513+PrtScreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVRSY0m3V7rRIVdIlBn12TfcueNA9gRrQwStE4XDFfuEoWBl4VO4PL23dkGVNDQ60BSUmdSiRX9liKN6jsJNijSSb1LhgfHuZRi3mT6OAeBJVG0wR-I-nHNuCIH6DH9zeHvEi85p3ews/s320/101513+PrtScreen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><b>Demonstrators speak out against new store in mall</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">About 70 </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Toledo</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> area residents protested at the
Westfield Franklin Park Mall on </span><st1:date day="5" month="10" year="2013"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">October 5, 2013</span></st1:date><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">. The mall signed a new lease with
</span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Michigan</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">’s largest chain and supplier of
puppy mill dogs – The Family Puppy. The store has a history of working with bad
commercial breeders with violations to the Animal Welfare Act. Even when the
federal inspector tells them to treat an animal in pain in suffering, they
ignore the inspector. These breeders do not listen to The Family Puppy – they
don’t’ care about their standards. The store ends up dropping the breeder
because we exposed them, not because of the violations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Contrary
to The Family Puppy’s claim that “</span><span style="background: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">we only use
breeders that will meet our standards, and those standards are above those of the
Animal Welfare Act”, 14 of the 16 primary</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">suppliers have been cited for violations to the Animal</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Welfare Act and many have been
chronic offenders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some violations
include shelters with temps exceeding 87 degrees, excessive feces, no heat,
unlicensed personnel performing surgeries, unattended bite wounds, poor
ventilation, feet dangling in wire floors, dirty dogs, accumulated grime and
lack of veterinary care.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Family Puppy states they know how to screen a breeder because the co-owner has
“been working with breeders for 35 years”, yet neither owner carries any
professional credentials in the fields of animal husbandry and disease
control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The majority of Indiana USDA
Licensed breeders - who on average, house 52 animals with 8-16 different breeds
- also lack professional credentials in these fields.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">According
to recent inspection reports, two primary suppliers for The Family Puppy are
not adhering to directives from federal inspectors or following rules as
mandated under the Animal Welfare Act (</span><st1:stockticker><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">AWA</span></st1:stockticker><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">):<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">In 2012, The Family Puppy’s
largest supplier, Marlin Bontrager of Rome City IN, was cited for direct
veterinary care violations and when the inspector returned there were six
more violations including more veterinary care related violations.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Two other main suppliers,
Lavern Whetstone of </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Goshen</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><st1:state><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">IN</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> and Verlyn Weaver of </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Topeka</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><st1:state><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">IN</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">, were cited for not seeking
veterinary for animals that were in pain and suffering. Whetstone was told
by the federal inspector to seek veterinary care and the kennel instead
had a “non-professional” remove the membrane of a dog with cherry eyes.
Weaver was cited for a pregnant dog with a build up of thick dark crust on
her teeth. The store continued to work with both breeders despite these
continued violations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Jean Keating from the Ohio Coalition of Dog Advocates is leading
the campaign to block The Family Puppy from expanding in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Toledo</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">. Here is a link to
her interview with Channel 24 at the protest.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.northwestohio.com/news/story.aspx?id=955378">http://www.northwestohio.com/news/story.aspx?id=955378</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: x-small;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span>
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<!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-21415033231769778812013-10-06T08:01:00.002-07:002013-10-06T08:01:45.065-07:00Michigan Pet Stores Linked to “Horrible Hundred” Breeder List<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pz6KOPx_QkWBVlnWuEpppzwP1T1vvLHtXzV_PQYO-kOYAePFdl2XOJkJHt_XFfRrFR7BB3IGzXdDedZbDmk7tOcl9LZu376d0KpgNwaK3gaJ-x9cQ35UhOs6wzJWDVW91no1ySdu_wI/s1600/32-A-0260Bontrager20121022p14+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pz6KOPx_QkWBVlnWuEpppzwP1T1vvLHtXzV_PQYO-kOYAePFdl2XOJkJHt_XFfRrFR7BB3IGzXdDedZbDmk7tOcl9LZu376d0KpgNwaK3gaJ-x9cQ35UhOs6wzJWDVW91no1ySdu_wI/s320/32-A-0260Bontrager20121022p14+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 8.4pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
<st1:state><st1:place><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></strong></st1:place></st1:state></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 8.4pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
<st1:state><st1:place><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 18.0pt;">Michigan</span></strong></st1:place></st1:state><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 18.0pt;"> Pet Stores Linked to
“Horrible Hundred” Breeder List </span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 8.4pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Five on
the HSUS’s list of problem puppy mills sold puppies to <span style="color: black;">Petland
and The Family Puppy</span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></em><em><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">:
July 17, 2013<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;">CONTACT:</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span>Pam Sordyl, (734) 718-7100,
pmamichinfo@yahoo.com<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Novi, Mich.</b> – Puppy Mill Awareness
of Southeast Michigan announced today that two Michigan pet stores receive
puppies from substandard breeding facilities listed in a recent report by the
Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) in May. In May, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The HSUS’s “<a href="http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2013/05/horrible-100-puppy-mill-report-050913.html#id=album-193&num=content-3361">Horrible
Hundred</a>” report lists 100 problem puppy mills, based on the conditions
documented in publicly available inspection reports and on evidence obtained
during HSUS research and investigations. According to interstate transport
records, Petland in </span><st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Novi</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and The Family Puppy in several east </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michigan</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> locations received puppies from five of the
breeders on that list between 2009 and 2012. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michigan</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> consumers need to know where these puppies are
coming from,” said Pam Sordyl, founder of Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast
Michigan. “The cute displays in pet stores don’t tell the whole story—that those
sweet puppies may have come from horrific conditions in a puppy mill far away.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Petland is located in The
Twelve Oaks Mall in </span><st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Novi</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. The Family Puppy pet store operates five
locations in the Detroit Metro area: </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Genesee</span></st1:placename><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Valley</span></st1:placetype><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Center</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Flint</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, Fountain Walk in </span><st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Novi</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, </span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Green
Oak Village Place</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> in </span><st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Brighton</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, Macomb Mall in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Roseville</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, and Oakland Mall in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Troy</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 8.4pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Family Puppy received shipments of puppies from
Marlin Bontrager of Rome City, Indiana a large-scale breeder. Shipping almost
250 puppies to The Family Puppy stores in 2011, made him the largest single
supplier to the pet store chain. Bontrager made the Horrible Hundred list after
multiple violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act, including repeat
veterinary violations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.4pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Petland Novi received shipments from four of the
Horrible Hundred puppy mills between 2009 and 2012:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Darlene and Charlene Koster/Rainbow
Ranch Kennel in </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Minneapolis</span></st1:city><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">, </span><st1:state><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Kansas</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">: Received an official warning from the
USDA for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Kimberly Coleman/TLC’s Kennel in </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Clinton</span></st1:city><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">, </span><st1:state><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Missouri</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">: Fined $8,250 by the USDA for
violations of the Animal Welfare Act<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Ervin Raber/Golden View Kennels of
Baltic, </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Ohio</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">: Cited for “Potentially Devastating” violations of the
Animal Welfare Act for the presence of zoonotic disease and sick and injured
dogs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></strong><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Daniel Schlabach/Evergreen Designer LLC in Charm, </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Ohio</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">: Cited for several violations of the
Animal Welfare Act.<strong><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The case of a puppy from
the last breeder on the above list, Daniel Schlabach/Evergreen Designer LLC of
Charm, </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ohio</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, demonstrates the hereditary health problems often
associated with puppy mill dogs. In 2011, newlyweds Rod and Lindsey Rebhan
purchased an Australian shepherd puppy named “Jack” for $1,000 from Petland
Novi. “We considered Jack to be our first baby, our little boy," said Lindsey
Rebhan. About a month after being purchased, Jack had his first seizure. After
25 seizures over the next four months, the Rebhans made the difficult decision
to have him euthanized. Because Jack's epilepsy was so severe, his veterinarian
said that the condition was probably hereditary. Petland Novi eventually refunded
the sale price of the dog, but did not reimburse the Rebhans for the veterinary
bills. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:
normal'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black;
font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>A dog photographed by a USDA
inspector on May 2011 at facility of Daniel Schlabach (Evergreen Designers
LLC) in Charm, </span></i></strong><st1:State><st1:place><strong><i
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lindsey Rebhan said that if they had seen the “Horrible Hundred”
report they would not have gone to the pet store to purchase him. Photos of the
kennel taken on </span><st1:date day="2" month="11" year="2011"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">November 2, 2011</span></st1:date><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, show a dog with scabs and ulcerations on his
muzzle; an underweight dog; four dogs with diarrhea; dirt and hair buildup in
den boxes; two dogs with raw skin on their paws; a dog with a cloudy left eye;
and a dog with a runny nose and a cough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the </span><st1:date day="9" month="5" year="2013"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May 9, 2013</span></st1:date><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <a href="http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2013/05/horrible-100-puppy-mill-report-050913.html#id=album-193&num=content-3361">press
release</a> about the “Horrible Hundred” report The HSUS called on authorities
to more closely monitor these and the thousands of other facilities across the
country, and urged state legislators to pass stronger laws to protect dogs in
puppy mills. Most of the 100 facilities on the list have been cited repeatedly
by federal or state inspectors for violations such as injured and sick dogs who
had not been treated by a veterinarian, animals left in the freezing cold or
blistering heat without protection, filthy conditions, and, in some cases,
operators who performed surgeries on dogs without a veterinary license or shot
and killed unwanted dogs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is currently no state law to regulate dog
breeding facilities in </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michigan</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> or to protect consumers who purchase sick animals from pet stores or
breeders. To address this oversight, Senator Steve Bieda (D-Warren) and Senator
Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) have introduced the “Puppy Protection Act,” S.B. 117
and 118, to establish guidelines for housing, sanitary conditions, enclosure
space, exercise, and veterinary care of dogs in all large-scale breeding
kennels in </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michigan</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, including those who sell puppies to pet stores
and directly to the public. Senators Jones and Bieda have also introduced the “Pet
Lemon Law,” S.B. 348, to alleviate burdening veterinary bills for dogs
purchased from pet stores or breeders who turn out to have health problems. Both
pieces of legislation are awaiting their first hearing in the Senate
Agriculture Committee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To learn more about the
Horrible Hundred report, visit <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2013/05/horrible-100-puppy-mill-report-050913.html#id=album-193&num=content-3361">www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2013/05/horrible-100-puppy-mill-report-050913.html#id=album-193&num=content-3361</a>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Puppy Mill Awareness of </span></i><st1:place><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Southeast
Michigan</span></i></st1:place><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> is working to end the mass production of dogs in
commercial kennels, or "puppy mills.” Our mission is to educate the public
about the cruel cycle of commercial dog breeding and the pet store link. Read
more at <a href="http://www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness">www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-79649874090500329192013-01-04T16:06:00.000-08:002013-01-04T16:31:27.052-08:00The Family Puppy's Breeder in the Hot Seat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Family Puppy had to drop another top supplier due to our campaign efforts. So much for having standards in place that the store can't enforce. If you haven’t been reading our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/PuppyMillAwarenessMichigan">Facebook</a> postings, you missed all the media stories yesterday on our Noble County campaign targeting The Family Puppy’s big puppy farmer – Marlin Bontrager. <a href="http://www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness/photos/12422932/">Meeting photos</a> on our meetup.<br />
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The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting lasted four hours and drew in 115 people, three tv stations and a couple local Noble County newspapers.<br />
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<a href="http://www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness/photos/12390392/">Six kennels</a> were in the hot seat for not having their kennel permits, but the spotlight was on Mr. Bontrager. The news reporters turned on their camera’s for this young Amish man’s plea for 200 adult dogs. Not one board member seemed to be alarmed at the number of dogs he was requesting and no one asked about animal welfare conditions. However, the Zoning Administrator made sure the board knew that the kennel was “clean” for his announced visit.<br />
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Bontrager not only faced a row of cameras, but a photo display next to the board of his neglected dogs standing on wire floors over their own feces and urine with painful eye conditions. I brought enlargements for the room to see. <br />
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Unfortunately the BZA board would only limit speakers in opposition to those that lived within ½ mile from the kennel. This is not normal protocol in other Indiana counties. Luckily, on Saturday before the meeting, I visited 15 of Bontrager’s neighbors. Many were Amish, some sharing the same name. So guess what? They were in support of their fellow Amish neighbor. I was able to snag two signatures and left packages for the rest including some embarrassing photos of his filthy kennels. You know how nose neighbors enjoy hearing these things. Maybe they will discourage him from embarrassing their community more.<br />
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It was disappointing that the BZA board selected their own items from the Comprehensive County Plan that would demonstrate how the kennel fits well into the community – It is a niche market! We could have made strong case as to why it does not fit. So the BZA could have looked at more than land use, but they choose not to. <br />
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The BZA review process admittedly took no consideration of humane treatment of animals, compliance with laws - locally, at the state level - or federal (one petitioner claimed USDA oversight, yet USDA confirmed earlier in the day they are NOT licensed), nor the opinions, data, facts, or concerns from anyone in Noble County outside of those who live adjacent to the petitioners. <br />
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Overall, we still did an amazing job with what we ‘could do’ in the short time frame. We found out about the kennels coming forward mid December!<br />
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The <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-noble-county-no-permits-for-puppy-millers">Change.org petition</a> was a huge tool - getting over 800 signatures and many included emails so we could send updates and invite locals to the meeting. We also were able to get 13 neighbors to sign in opposition.Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-7960194006562674152012-10-30T10:54:00.000-07:002012-10-30T10:55:56.169-07:00USDA releases over 60 horrific dog breeding photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdu-fekJ91utD2F5fFCwU8b19t0C8sTTQxFFswbYnJKKxUZdSKypwCeWzR40igymMS1dUByB5lXegf8PhnHFOReCVR8zYtyuK9AGJG6CYtYwKm8yCAxl8f2RfrdHVovBjXHLgStPM7_M/s1600/41-A-0356Lehmann20101020p14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdu-fekJ91utD2F5fFCwU8b19t0C8sTTQxFFswbYnJKKxUZdSKypwCeWzR40igymMS1dUByB5lXegf8PhnHFOReCVR8zYtyuK9AGJG6CYtYwKm8yCAxl8f2RfrdHVovBjXHLgStPM7_M/s320/41-A-0356Lehmann20101020p14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>Local watchdog group plans protests at<br /> store’s five locations over the holidays</em> </div>
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released over 60 kennel inspection photos taken at The Family Puppy’s suppliers. The Family Puppy is Michigan’s largest puppy retailer. Photos reveal horrific cramped conditions and nightmarish activities involving unlicensed surgeries. Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan plans to warn the public with protests at the chain’s five locations this holiday season. <br />
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<a href="http://michiganpuppymills.yolasite.com/tfpphotogallery.php">Photos are published on the groups website</a>.<br />
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The Family Puppy stores are located at the following malls: Genesee Valley Center located in Flint Mi; Fountain Walk located in Novi Mi; Green Oak Village Place located in Brighton Mi; Macomb Mall located in Roseville Mi; and Oakland Mall located in Troy Mi. The protest schedule can be found on the group’s Meetup calendar. Concerned citizens are invited to join the protests. <br />
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“These photos are like scenes from a horror movie,” said Pam Sordyl, founder of Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan. “Families looking for a puppy this holiday season should rethink spontaneous puppy purchases and always avoid puppy stores.” <br />
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According to a PetShopPuppies.org report, The Family Puppy has been shipping puppies from a mega mill, Brad D.S. & B.E. Grotewold located in Lake Mills, Iowa since 1998. The last known puppy purchased in 2011 was reported to have giardia, a bladder infection, be under weight, and very itchy. This puppy was delivered through a third party (broker) named Patrick Fulton. Fulton supplied two parvo puppies, a very deadly virus for puppies, this spring and investigated by The Michigan Department of Agriculture. <br />
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Photos from Grotewold’s commercial kennel show a build up of dirt and grime on walls, severely rusted cages, chewed and warn surfaces, an excessive accumulation of feces and food waste in the furnace room and a large amount of maggots and flies. <br />
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“These puppies are sick and underweight because they are coming from filthy puppy factories like Grotewold’s,” said Sordyl. “Since the public can not easily visit the parents located in distant states, we feel these photos are crucial to our group’s outreach campaign.” <br />
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In addition to these photos, <a href="http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/efoia/">USDA inspection reports</a> can also be found online open to the public. <br />
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This year the store’s primary breeders had some serious direct violations to the Animal Welfare Act. Marlin Bontrager, from Rome City Indiana, is The Family Puppy’s top supplier of puppies. According to this summer’s federal inspection, Bontrager was caging 177 adult dogs and had two serious direct violations including not seeking veterinary care for a sick puppy. Suffering was prolonged by not taking the puppy to the veterinarian. In addition, the inspector also cited Bontrager for housing dogs in temperatures in the 90’s. Dogs were observed heavily panting and puppies were stretched out on the wire floor trying to stay cool. Bontrager has a history of violations going back to 2008 related to housing, shelter, primary enclosures, cleanliness, feeding and vet care. <br />
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“Our organization has reached out to the owners of The Family Puppy asking them to stop all orders from this kennel, he is clearly a repeat and chronic offender,” said Sordyl. <br />
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Devon Schrock, another of the store’s primary breeders, was cited for accumulations of grime and hair in the primary enclosures. This harbors diseases. In addition, Schrock’s drainage system was cited as the upper washdown was draining into a pen on the bottom where two dogs were exposed. There was hair and sludge accumulating. <br />
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“This is disgusting and would not meet the standards of the general public,” said Sordyl. <br />
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The Puppy Mill Awareness Meetup is working to build awareness toward ending mass production of dogs in "puppy mills." The group’s public education campaign teaches the public about the origins of pet store puppies and lobbies for stronger laws for animal breeding. </div>
Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-34852149283787076292012-10-15T08:42:00.000-07:002019-02-14T07:21:49.916-08:00Watchdogging Puppy Stores that claim “Adoptions”<em><strong><span style="font-size: large;">"The kittens arrive on Tuesday with the puppy deliveries" stated one employee.</span></strong></em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0NRbJSXl2SxrGB9824VspO2Sse9YrBVQYx6D6PKfpOY8fo6dPNRiEfjHBNgoqyJBHXw7T4Fqul8xH0EPSVgzFOmgJIocNd_EepJYZNI7Sku-JQobT5Pny7QR1-P09AkeGiXGizX9WV0/s1600/Unwanted+Litters+Flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0NRbJSXl2SxrGB9824VspO2Sse9YrBVQYx6D6PKfpOY8fo6dPNRiEfjHBNgoqyJBHXw7T4Fqul8xH0EPSVgzFOmgJIocNd_EepJYZNI7Sku-JQobT5Pny7QR1-P09AkeGiXGizX9WV0/s320/Unwanted+Litters+Flyer.jpg" width="250" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Eyebrows were raised when The Family Puppy announced their All American Adoption Program around the same time they hired a public relations company in March of 2011.<br /><br />Was the store trying to “look good” with the new campaign being launched against them in Flint? We scratched our heads wondering what this new program was really all about. How come there were not puppies “for adoption” in the store? You will be surprised at what we found out with a little survey. <br /><br />Let’s start with the back story on this. First, The Family Puppy claims to have saved over 11,000 unwanted puppies and kittens, according to their website in October 2012. Wow, that is a lot of rescued animals and would surely make them look like heroes in the community. But wait, 11,000 animals would equal 785 pets a year. Detroit area animal shelters don’t even take in that many kittens per year at their individual shelters. How can that be possible when the store usually only has 3-4 kittens in the store at one time and sometimes no kittens at all? <br /><br />This was the first red flag. <br /><br />Next, why was this All American Program not featured on their website for 10 years? When their newest store opened in Flint the store was asking for “unwanted” litters of puppies and kittens. They never mentioned their “All American Program” on these flyers. The store must have learned quickly that no one was going to just ‘give’ them popular small breed puppies. Even the shelters don’t have a surplus of puppies. Puppies simply do not stay puppies for long and are usually adopted out quickly. <br /><br /><strong>The store misleads the public by staying they are saving puppies.</strong> <br /><br />When the Flint store opened in December 2009, Puppy Mill Awareness called in January to ask some questions about the Taking Unwanted Litters flyer posted in the store. We asked the manager about their claim that they "help adopt out unplanned litters to help overcrowding in shelters." The manager stated that the store adopted out 10,000 animals - mostly kittens - from unplanned litters. Ok, two years later they have increase their impressive number to 11,000. That would equal 500 per year. As a reference point, the Genesee County Humane society took in almost 600 kittens in one year. So is it possible for The Family Puppy to take in that many kittens when most people don’t even know they are ‘rescuing’ unwanted litters? Not the first place I would think to take my unwanted litter. <br /><br />The numbers just don’t add up. <br /><br />We decided to do a survey. <br /><br />Our initial survey in March 2011 showed that all five stores did not have any kittens and was offering only<strong> one dog that was actually a returned dog.</strong> A customer returned the dog. They were advertising this returned fixed beagle with prior health problems as an “adoptable” dog. He was 4-5 months old. On store did say they were expecting some puppies from their vet. They told me to check back in the spring for kittens. The Genesee County HS had 3 kittens and 40 cats available at that time. <br /><br />Why would the store not take in cats? For obvious reasons, they don’t SELL! <br /><br />In October 2012, we completed another survey. This one revealed all five stores had young kittens available for $249. The price went way up from their initial prices back in 2010 of approximately $179. It appears the store decided to start fixing them before SALE. What I found most interesting was two stores actually had the exact date of births for the kittens. One store said they were not familiar with the program and the other employee in the store did not know about it either. All the stores stated they usually don't have unwanted litters of puppies available. <br /><br />This is my favorite response - one store stated that the kittens arrive on Tuesday when the puppies arrive! So where are the kittens really coming from????</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_olCfD7fcOsoS5MeKdrjLI5KiHa2PunlSozvvG8aweYzC2b8bPlM3zZj4czNK-pQkCXNSj-vhMFEJIyP38mvD6zAahAUmalbMPo50NdvZ2FQkgnSnEQpzExyLqMJA1kJs53P_RmfW-cw/s1600/SurveyPrintScreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_olCfD7fcOsoS5MeKdrjLI5KiHa2PunlSozvvG8aweYzC2b8bPlM3zZj4czNK-pQkCXNSj-vhMFEJIyP38mvD6zAahAUmalbMPo50NdvZ2FQkgnSnEQpzExyLqMJA1kJs53P_RmfW-cw/s320/SurveyPrintScreen.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><br /> <strong>Survey Summary</strong> <br /><br />~ Mostly kittens. <br /><br />~ Kittens are also delivered with the puppies on Tuesdays! per Fountain Walk employee. <br /><br />~ Only one puppy available for “adoption” during two surveys of five stores. This one dog was a returned purchase. <br /><br />~ Employees stated they do not usually get in unwanted puppies. <br /><br />~ Some employees were not familiar with the program.<br />
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Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-8322620700168659112012-10-07T06:11:00.005-07:002019-02-14T07:22:12.412-08:00Never, Ever Buy a Puppy From a Pet Store<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Every pet shop will assure you, solemnly, that their puppies are different. Their puppies don't come from puppy mills, but from wonderful local breeders - pillars of the community, in fact. The reality is that no responsible breeder would ever place one of their puppies in a pet shop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But my local pet shop says... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">"We buy our puppies from responsible local breeders." <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Yes, the employees are told to say that. Ignore it. Virtually all pet shop puppies come from commercial breeders and puppy mills, no matter what the employees say. And even if the commercial breeder or puppy mill is local rather than 300 miles away, what difference does that make? Irresponsible breeding practices are irresponsible whether the breeder lives in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Timbuktu</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> or just around the corner. The location makes no difference. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">"We buy only from USDA-licensed breeders." <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">USDA stands for the United States Department of Agriculture. Their business is farming and livestock. The USDA knows little or nothing about dogs. As long as a breeder's paperwork is in order, the facilities are disinfected, cages are a (very) minimum size, and no infectious diseases are immediately obvious, the kennel passes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The USDA has not the slightest interest in...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">* whether the breeder knows anything about his breed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">* whether the dogs used for breeding look like their breed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">* whether the dogs used for breeding act like their breed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">* whether the dogs used for breeding are free of genetic health problems such as hip dysplasia, eye diseases, or heart defects – all of which show up long after you buy the puppy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A USDA license is not something that should reassure you. On the contrary, it is warning sign that a breeder is cranking out lots of puppies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">"Our puppies' health is guaranteed!" <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ah, yes. The wonderful pet store guarantee. This reassuring platitude is how pet shops try to get around the expenses of genetic health testing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The pet shop offers to REPLACE unhealthy puppies – instead of seeking to prevent them in the first place by requiring their "wonderful" breeders to do genetic health tests on every parent dog used for breeding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Let's look at this from the PUPPY'S point of view, shall we? Guarantees don't help a puppy at all. YOU get your money back, but the puppy still has to live with the health problem that might have been avoided if his breeder had been seeking to produce healthy lives instead of scrambling to keep his expenses down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pet shops aren't too worried about having to honor their guarantees, by the way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">* First, they count on your becoming attached to the puppy and being reluctant to return it. They know that most of us have soft hearts and would keep a sick puppy even if we're forced to spend a thousand dollars and heartbreaking months or years trying to nurse it back to health.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">* Second, the guarantees are carefully written so that whatever your particular puppy develops probably isn't covered or you won't have all the "proper" documentation to prove it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">* Third, many genetic health problems don't show up for months or years. Either the guarantee has expired by then, or you're completely unwilling to give up a dog you've had that long. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My advice to you is to IGNORE everything pet shop people tell you. The pet store industry has sophisticated marketing manuals that teach pet shop owners and employees exactly what to say to persuade you to part with your money. Don't be gullible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Pet Shop Advantage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Oh, yes, pet shops do have advantages, which is why people buy from them in the first place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">Instant access to LOTS of puppies. Tracking down puppies from breeders and rescue groups takes time and effort. With less common breeds, you may find no current litters and your only option would be to put your name on a waiting list. Whereas the pet shop is just a short drive away and is open all day, six days a week. There are pet shops in neighboring communities, too. You just look them all up in the phone book and make the rounds until you find something you want. If they don't have the breed or color or </span></div>
Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-84546738471058057152012-05-29T06:11:00.000-07:002012-10-30T10:50:09.969-07:00Pet store refuses to accept diagnosis of parvovirus, orders puppy to die<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<st1:state><st1:place><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Michigan</span></i></st1:place></st1:state><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’s largest puppy retailer is caught shipping in <br />
urine stained, underweight and under aged puppies<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from puppy broker – vet quits<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Michigan
Department of Agriculture has received multiple complaints involving The Family
Puppy pet store related to a parvo outbreak and underage puppies resulting in
discontinued vet services.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Family Puppy pet store is located in the Genesee
Valley Mall at </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">3341 S
Linden Rd, Flint, Michigan.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dr. Pinkston, of Swartz Creek
Veterinary Hospital, who has been servicing The Family Puppy<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>since the store opened in 2009 put in his official
notice to end the relationship on February 29, 2012. The Michigan Department of
Agriculture workorder included an interview with Dr. Pinston stating “the
puppies were coming in with urine stainings, unkept fur and underweight body
conditions.” Pinkston was uncomfortable with the store working with brokers
rather than breeders and the store owed him a large amount of money. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The relationship upbruptly ended
after a pet store employee brought in a female Bichone Frise/Yorkshire Terrier
mix<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with diarrhea, lethargy, vomitting
and anorexia. The puppy tested positive for parvovirus.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Parvovirus is a very
contagious and deadly disease that could cost $1,000 per night in veterinary
costs to treat”, said Pam Sordyl, founder of Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast
Michigan. “Families who visit the store could bring this virus home to their
own pets if the store is not quarrantined and disinfected properly”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">According to Dr. Pinkston’s
report, John Stottele, the pet store owner refused to accept the diagnosis of
parvious and ordered the puppy to be euthanized. Dr. Pinkston stated he felt
Stottele was trying to dictate how to practice veterinary medicine. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Michigan Department of
Agriculture is currently investigating the store’s puppy shipments from out of
state commercial breeders and brokers to ensure puppies are at least eight
weeks of age.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">History of Complaints</span></b><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeat Michigan has been
collecting complaints related to ill animals purchased at The Family Puppy. Over
70</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> complaints have
been logged and 29 different type problems have been noted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">“The
Michigan Pet Lemon Law SB 574, pending a hearing on the Senate Floor would
protect consumers from purchasing ill dogs and cats from pet stores, breeders
and dealers.” said Sordyl</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Connection to
Puppy Mills</span></b><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sordyl’s breeder investigation revealed that the Family
Puppy has worked with breeders from Minnesota, Indiana and Ohio over the last
three years. The store claims they pick-up and transport </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">all of their puppies to the five
store locations, yet over 170 puppies have been shipped from a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">broker/distributor, Patrick Fulton</span>, in
Minnesota with violations to the Animal Welfare Act, including selling puppies
under age and insufficient floor space requirements.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">“The
female Bichon/Yorkie was brought into Pinkston’s office just under 6 weeks of
age. It is illegal to sell puppies under eight weeks.” said Sordyl. “These dogs
are coming off the truck sick because they are too young to be shipped from the
</span><st1:place><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">Midwest</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">. Their immune systems have not yet
been developed”. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Pet stores, including The Family Puppy, will tell
customers that they do not get dogs from puppy mills, but only mass-breeding
facilities can fulfill the demand for retail pet store orders. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Puppy Mill Awareness Meetup is working to build
awareness toward ending mass production of dogs in "puppy mills." The
group’s public education campaign teaches the public about the origins of pet
store puppies and lobbies for stronger laws for animal breeding.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-26625973699419982712011-07-25T13:25:00.000-07:002011-07-25T13:37:31.193-07:00Directly in the hands of potential puppy-buyers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccoz1ltrZFnsKDNw_UH8cH3exqniyfMBOT6sgZinkPU7XfXulK1vd8sWAwo3x44b_d2F7eEvgdXtW9Me4FI1axjJEcFJMN3DKls0-JPgs6ffTDUKF8KOR910CpkNA-_6XpFRR7_od7aE/s1600/TFP_Flyer1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633389599403569362" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 146px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccoz1ltrZFnsKDNw_UH8cH3exqniyfMBOT6sgZinkPU7XfXulK1vd8sWAwo3x44b_d2F7eEvgdXtW9Me4FI1axjJEcFJMN3DKls0-JPgs6ffTDUKF8KOR910CpkNA-_6XpFRR7_od7aE/s200/TFP_Flyer1.jpg" border="0" /></a> How does Puppy Mill Awareness measure effectiveness? --If the store we are protesting mentions us in their “<a href="http://files.meetup.com/1258100/The%20Family%20Puppy%20-%20A%20Letter%20of%20Introduction.pdf">Letter of Introduction</a>” provided to potential customers! Apparently, The Family Puppy has had to explain themselves one to many times, so they put it all down on paper.<br /><br /><div>Luckily I can read between the lines and call out all the BS. </div><br /><div>The bottom line is, this store is no different than Petland. They have used the same broker and the Amish certianly do not have a squeaky clean reputation either. Just google "Dog Auctions" and have a kleenex box a handy – it is sad and appauling at the same time. Give me a brake with all the PR stunts Stottele. Here are my comments to your Letter of Introduction:</div><br /><ul><br /><li>The Family Puppy has been in business for 13 years, yet only started to make improvements and visit their breeders 3 years ago? I am assuming this is when our group formed and the pressure was on. Or was it after the Detroit Free press exposed the store?We really should not have the words “pet” and “industry” used in the same sentence.</li><br /><li>You said it! I agree, this is an industry wrought with neglect and abuse! </li><br /><li>John, I know you work hours every day, because I am working hours trying to expose you.</li><br /><li>So you admit to working with brokers in the past. That sounds horrible –puppy middlemen. Puppies are not products!</li><br /><li>You mean for 10 years you did not visit a breeder? For 10 years, you relied on brokers to regulate? And now you are experts in regulation?? Again, are you relying on the USDA? Good luck!</li><br /><li>Humm...a road trip the summer of 2008. This is when we formed Puppy Mill Awareness.</li><br /><li>You went to a Missouri Conference for help? Good Lord, that is the Puppy Mill Capital. I certainly hope you didn’t learn a thing from Missouri millers.</li><br /><li>PMA is protesting in front of the Flint store because the Family Puppy sells the most puppy mill puppies in Michigan and the breeders are puppy millers. High volume store!</li><br /><li>There are not 52 stores in the Southeast Michigan area -try 20. It is a dying industry. Many have closed in the last 3 years. </li><br /><li>I have visited The Family Puppy breeders in Indiana.</li><br /><li>The Indiana State Board of Health does NOT inspect kennels. No money.</li><br /><li>This flyer does not mention the sick dogs reported to Pet Shop Puppies and MDA. </li><br /><li>This flyer does not mention the use of any brokers in Ohio or Minnesota. </li></ul>Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-10528625741754471862011-05-11T10:31:00.000-07:002011-05-11T10:35:44.850-07:00Puppy Mill Mothers Not Forgotten in Flint<em>"Flint area dog advocates share a moment of silence at the Genesee Valley Center"<br /></em><br />On the eve of Mother’s Day local dog advocates came together in a moment of<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3F6uWJV70nirGbKkt1ElxsLagfOluGcSFpyC4yQjXK6y8L0TJjzJukj6v00MPW1FqGAfRGUzRrohUauCVPlB5XvFUCdKduXVBmnNsGTYOjes_Yup87-s6fk8gshDNrhNa1U36uXnsxEw/s1600/The+Family+Pupppy+Vigil.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605512649897409202" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3F6uWJV70nirGbKkt1ElxsLagfOluGcSFpyC4yQjXK6y8L0TJjzJukj6v00MPW1FqGAfRGUzRrohUauCVPlB5XvFUCdKduXVBmnNsGTYOjes_Yup87-s6fk8gshDNrhNa1U36uXnsxEw/s200/The+Family+Pupppy+Vigil.jpg" border="0" /></a> silence for the 130,000+ breeding mothers caged in Midwest puppy-factories. A vigil, hosted by Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan, was held at The Family Puppy pet store in Flint.<br /><br />Among the participants were former breeding mothers. Storm, a fluffy Pomeranian, was rescued after being put on an auction block for puppy millers to bid on. “She was a poor breeder and no longer useful” said Julieann Lotridge of Lapeer. Storm, like many <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-52PD5_u6rkfhtYjnL-VelBk42GCvSx7xvZyZebantnK6oriMLdj99gRB4P_jqIM4dP-KUn317-PCkXSqDJ3xJ1KVwwcXu8i8bJ30svCW15A4S9-28bb7AF6UevxH1X01efhO8SGvig/s1600/The+Family+Puppy++Vigil+%2528Paula+Harrington+and+Ellen+Slama%2529.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605512722146768354" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-52PD5_u6rkfhtYjnL-VelBk42GCvSx7xvZyZebantnK6oriMLdj99gRB4P_jqIM4dP-KUn317-PCkXSqDJ3xJ1KVwwcXu8i8bJ30svCW15A4S9-28bb7AF6UevxH1X01efhO8SGvig/s200/The+Family+Puppy++Vigil+%2528Paula+Harrington+and+Ellen+Slama%2529.JPG" border="0" /></a>commercially bred dogs, has two grade 5 luxating patellas, a serious genetic flaw.<br /><br />“Because of Storm and my other puppy mill survivors in my life I have made it a mission to fight for the end of commercial-factory breeding of animals for sale.” said Lotridge.<br /><br />Puppy mills are mass-breeding facilities that raise dogs in <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZQs7nDWmOJL3FatuuTm7UafTItj7ZfhioEohvhpDl24_wrcOyc6OYPFkswdDS0q4G1eS6GDfFzJFFwwaTYc-3w0Lk6zJeB6UA5Tdz-MT07xMG_iTkJxMLcovhyTS6hbiYJ0ndTkap0E/s1600/PuppyMillSurvivors.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605512794960761442" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZQs7nDWmOJL3FatuuTm7UafTItj7ZfhioEohvhpDl24_wrcOyc6OYPFkswdDS0q4G1eS6GDfFzJFFwwaTYc-3w0Lk6zJeB6UA5Tdz-MT07xMG_iTkJxMLcovhyTS6hbiYJ0ndTkap0E/s200/PuppyMillSurvivors.jpg" border="0" /></a>shockingly poor conditions. They operate with an emphasis upon profits above animal welfare. Breeding mothers are often destroyed or discarded after their fertility wanes. Why is this legal? There is minimal supervision of puppy mills by the United States Department of Agriculture, whose investigators look for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Commercial breeders are supposed to be licensed and meet minimal standards of care. However, if a breeder operates without a license or fails to meet minimum standards, it is often not until he is reported that he gets inspected or cited. Penalties are substantially less than what would be required to encourage improvements.<br /><br />“The best way to stop puppy mills is to refuse to buy from them and their distributors – the pet stores. If we take away their profits, they have no reason to continue.” said Pam Sordyl, the group’s founder.<br /><br />“We are encouraging The Family Puppy and other puppy-pet stores to stop supporting the cruel puppy mill industry through puppy sales, and instead create an adoption program similar to other large pet supply retailers like PETCO and PetSmart” said Sordyl<br /><br />Last fall Puppy Mill Awareness revealed the results of a five-month investigation of The Family Puppy chain store. The investigation revealed that The Family Puppy is Michigan’s retailer purchasing dogs from puppy mills. This spring, a boycott including weekly rallies and a petition were launched keeping the spotlight on the highest volume retailer.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness/photos/1381481/">View Vigil Photos</a>Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-46932158289532054532011-04-29T14:23:00.000-07:002011-04-29T14:30:30.821-07:00Mother's Day Vigil at Genesee Valley MallThis Mother’s Day weekend give a voice to the 130,000+ breeding mothers working overtime in Midwest puppy-factories producing litters for Mother’s Day gifts. Join Puppy Mill Awareness’s Flint team at a vigil-demonstration in front of Genesee Valley Mall from 12- 3 p.m. Candles will be provided along with plenty of photos of mothers who never made it out of the kennels.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUqgVIkgXUfiZmKJGBw_8HFkS42nSNCGvHQ1jimi57ynunmGRlUOc8LjBGWxeXU4KJBB9kvvYPV-ZQNRdqOF3tTtFBLqaifv1t6Hv2X7fzru6QP13JP59WETr7JhXC3US2-QjFK-WU3I/s1600/WeRemember.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601120453791485218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 190px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 163px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUqgVIkgXUfiZmKJGBw_8HFkS42nSNCGvHQ1jimi57ynunmGRlUOc8LjBGWxeXU4KJBB9kvvYPV-ZQNRdqOF3tTtFBLqaifv1t6Hv2X7fzru6QP13JP59WETr7JhXC3US2-QjFK-WU3I/s200/WeRemember.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />If you have a rescued puppy mill survivor, please bring them for the vigil portion of the event at noon. You are welcome to stay, but we do not encourage our furry members to be close to the road during the demonstration.<br /><br />May marks our third month of protesting The Family Puppy pet store this year. Why have we been coming every Saturday in all types of weather? The Family Puppy is Michigan’s largest puppy-selling store. They import on average 100 puppies per month from out-of-state breeders with serious violations to the Animal Welfare Act. Flint does not need any business selling commercially breed puppies working against all adoption programs in Genesee County. Flint will continue to say “NO” to puppy-selling stores!<br /><br />Please join us every Saturday from 12-3!Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-29759928125499328032011-04-25T10:23:00.000-07:002011-04-25T10:26:31.697-07:00The Designer Dog Gimmick<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeDB8KzECqY8GE9KcHPV7rArmLBaOqroqKL8M3IYSud933I65vMvnAdbZQCe2edhaL8r80vUPYwlzINecfZgy8wGLN4CpYrdds8Gd10KFbhCA_-VkjckqS8jnYAcpCmJx4zcVTrFzxe0/s1600/PC020023.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeDB8KzECqY8GE9KcHPV7rArmLBaOqroqKL8M3IYSud933I65vMvnAdbZQCe2edhaL8r80vUPYwlzINecfZgy8wGLN4CpYrdds8Gd10KFbhCA_-VkjckqS8jnYAcpCmJx4zcVTrFzxe0/s200/PC020023.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599573852463714754" /></a><br />On Thursday morning ABC News - Good Morning America, aired a segment on designer dogs. Not only did they promote these dogs as great pets for people who live in cities, have allergies, or don't want a barking dog, but they also stated that the breeding of these mixes produces only the best traits of both breeds in the offspring. They stated that to get these quality puppies you have to pay up to $1,400 in pet stores. There was no mention of where these dogs are bred or how they get to the pet stores!<br /><br />There is no guarantee what the puppies will look like or who they will inherit their temperaments from. One generation will add, combine, and result in total mixture of genes that can result in good bad or any combination in between. Anyone that can read can pick up a book at the library and find out who the whole gene inheritance works. <br />Mix down ears with up ears and now you have added ear problems, grooming problems and on and on.<br /><br />Dr. Wanda Phipatanakul, chair of the Indoor Allergen Committee for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), "The studies have not supported that there's any type of hypoallergenic dog. Even if you get a hairless dog, it's still going to produce the allergen." This is because allergies are caused not by hair, but by a protein found in animal dander, saliva and urine. All dogs produce allergens; a smaller dog may produce fewer allergens, but a person's reaction to the dog also depends on the individual.<br /><br />These so called “Designer Dogs” were likely breed together because they were not registerable, but now breeders and pet stores see that they can market these puppies as the latest trend. These are just gimmicks to make money, it has nothing to do with quality. It is just another way to rip the public off by charging them top dollar for a mix breed. <br /><br />For many years a purebred was a luxury most families could not afford and there were always unwanted litters in the neighborhood to take care of instead of waiting on a breeders list for the next litter. Now that everyone has a purebred, thanks to puppy mills (large commercial kennels), the industry had to develop something “new” for people to “want”. This only drives demand for more puppies produced out of cruelty.<br /><br />If you want a dog that looks like no other, visit the shelter, rescue and call them any designer name you like. This way you are not encouraging the flooding of the country with all those puppies. <br /><br />For all of us that work so tirelessly educating the public about the puppy mill to pet store connection, this was a huge set back. Obviously, Good Morning America, did not do any research on this subject and instead chose to air a totally false and irresponsible piece that chose to encourage sales and "educate" the unsuspecting public about what a "Morkie" really is. New York City is number two in the sale of puppy mill dogs in the country and this segment certainly will help to keep them there.<br /><br />Please contact ABC TV and politely let them know how you feel and ask them if they could cover the other side of the pet trade to ensure the public is well informed. Ask to speak to the producer of the segment at 212-456-7000.<br /> <br />To view the segment Click on the link below:<br /> <br />http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/pet-trend-designer-dog-breeds-13426493<br /> <br />To contact ABC News Good Morning America click on the link below:<br /> <br />http://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3271346&cat=Good%20Morning%20AmericaPam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-32250151234656506442011-03-24T05:02:00.001-07:002011-03-24T05:05:14.021-07:00Sign the Petition and Get the FactsYesterday we launched our online petition asking The Family Puppy to stop selling puppies. Please take a moment to sign this petition. This is yet another way to both educate the public, media and of course, to put pressure on the store. <br /><br /><div id="change_BottomBar"><span id="change_Powered"><a href="http://www.change.org/" target="_blank">Petitions</a> by Change.org</span><a>|</a><span id="change_Start">Start a <a href="http://www.change.org/petition" target="_blank">Petition</a> »</span></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://e.change.org:80/flash_petitions_widget.js?width=300&petition_id=41509&color=1A3563"></script><br /><br />Make sure you download <a href="http://files.meetup.com/1258100/The%20Family%20Puppy%20Breeder%20Fact%20Sheet_v3.pdf">The Family Puppy Breeder Fact Sheet</a> too. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSmgZOisNCrVTK8fT4uwIfTTIjbD3uqhCIBF25p6jeu4_NLOyJ07fXoMUc8Klg9asfTu_zI95xwtoxYQJauD6oSr9ayoEwSD5TjERrxjckEJiAOhMyaVnUlXUbjbe0mZGghK-BmZTZHQ/s1600/BreederFactSheetPic_v3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSmgZOisNCrVTK8fT4uwIfTTIjbD3uqhCIBF25p6jeu4_NLOyJ07fXoMUc8Klg9asfTu_zI95xwtoxYQJauD6oSr9ayoEwSD5TjERrxjckEJiAOhMyaVnUlXUbjbe0mZGghK-BmZTZHQ/s200/BreederFactSheetPic_v3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587616155783868786" /></a><br /><br />I believe it is most important to arm the public with the facts. Since puppy stores will never say “Why yes, indeed, our puppies come from puppy mills”, consumers should know what to look for. <br /><br />To make it even easier, simply never buy a puppy from a store or breeder without seeing the parents and the living conditions of the puppy. Keep in mind, some kennels actually have multiple kennels. One is for customers who are purchasing puppies and the others are where most of the breeding dogs live. Since Michigan residents may not travel to Indiana, Minnesota, Iowa or Ohio, we have provided the much needed information they need to make an informed decision. <br /><br />The store can dance around the tough questions and appear to be transparent with breeder names and select photos of some of the kennels. With all of their guarantees, warranties and sales-pitches, it is certainly hard to believe they will sell you a sick dog. <br /><br />Whether you are a puppy buyer or just simply curious to find out if this store “is different”, here are some questions the store does not want to answer:<br /><br />1. How many dogs does your breeder house? <br />2. Do you work with distributors who purchase from other breeders? <br />3. Do you visit ALL of your breeders?<br />4. Do you work with the same breeders as Petland?<br />5. Do your breeders specialize in one breeder and know that breed well?<br />6. Do your breeders have any formal training?<br />7. Are there enough full time employees to take care of the puppies?<br />8. Do your breeders seek veterinary care when needed? <br />9. Do the breeding dogs live on wire floors?<br />10. Are any of your breeders being investigated by the USDA?<br /><br />I have a feeling you would not get straight answers from the store. Puppy Mill Awareness already knows the answers to all of these questions.Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-30075241791522181902011-02-04T12:41:00.000-08:002011-02-04T13:23:56.123-08:00A Letter to the Pet Store OwnersBefore and throughout a campaign, I continue to ask the pet store owners to stop selling puppies and why. The writing is on the wall and we will not be turning our backs o<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDyaDJsbUQtwmzJ-Ft_gRXXlFFXSwDJNthqcrlfWCEEDG4rp68KUCJ2qwJBP9VXl9weIITt1Z00IElulBF3F-RybF349FVWLadnKqmWM_5d-RQX6iPnxW8Y8JFH9Kcytllew9N8fqpB0/s1600/IMG_8139.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569938626558071954" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDyaDJsbUQtwmzJ-Ft_gRXXlFFXSwDJNthqcrlfWCEEDG4rp68KUCJ2qwJBP9VXl9weIITt1Z00IElulBF3F-RybF349FVWLadnKqmWM_5d-RQX6iPnxW8Y8JFH9Kcytllew9N8fqpB0/s200/IMG_8139.JPG" border="0" /></a>n the breeding dogs. Just because they are hidden in shacks, standing on wire floors surrounded by privacy fencing, so the neighbors don't hear their stressful barks ---we still know they are there. I will think about them every day. (Photo: Glen Yoder, Indiana)<br /><br /><br /><br />Dear Mr. Stottele,<br /><br />Thank you for promoting shelter dogs in your stores and attempting to improve standards for commercial breeding. However, conscientious consumers want cruelty free pets and to know exactly where their family members are coming from, not a broker name or a selected-staged photos, to ensure they are not contributing to abuse or neglect.<br /><br />The public is learning about puppy mills and their link to pet stores. They are learning about the Amish’s involvement in commercial breeding. New laws and ordinances are being passed across the country and the future of the pet trade does not look promising.<br /><br />We both know that animals are purchased at pet stores out of impulse without fully understanding the commitment required to provide life-long care for the animal. As a result of irresponsible human decisions, each year thousands of animals are surrendered to local shelters and rescues only to be destroyed due to lack of space, funds, and adoptive homes.<br /><br />Incidents involving sick puppies purchased at pet stores are routinely reported. Transportation from distant states, such as Minnesota, causes stress and increases disease transmission as well as holding animals in a retail environment. Overall, we know that there is an inherent conflict between ensuring profits and caring for animals in commercial environments. The mistreatment of animals is unavoidable. Online reviews, USDA inspection reports and Michigan Department of Agriculture complaints can paint a terrible picture of your operations.<br /><br />The USDA is now issuing more citations in their inspection reports and returning to verify corrections have been made after their internal audit. It will be very difficult for your breeders to maintain their inventories levels and avoid citations.<br /><br />We would like to see all pet supply stores promote adoption only.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Pam Sordyl<br />Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast MichiganPam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-5022243518804996572011-02-04T07:25:00.001-08:002011-02-04T12:41:19.409-08:00February Protests at the ValleyMary is kicking off February rallies this weekend at the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7qZBKlPTSToM_-nA4IWElVLHwzWhb4-T1dh114mpuYWwVKuCOJze2wvJUNzLunRNi7d__h7hPatAHavMwJ8wjxKtkNMEzyABVmvk2r0EHJNohBfBKtWxVZkFSnvLQv08zorYvSwsuNQ/s1600/IMG_8178.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569856693092626418" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7qZBKlPTSToM_-nA4IWElVLHwzWhb4-T1dh114mpuYWwVKuCOJze2wvJUNzLunRNi7d__h7hPatAHavMwJ8wjxKtkNMEzyABVmvk2r0EHJNohBfBKtWxVZkFSnvLQv08zorYvSwsuNQ/s200/IMG_8178.JPG" border="0" /></a>Genesee Valley Mall, home of the newest Family Puppy store. Please join her from 12-3 at the Miller Road entrance next to David's Bridal. Bring your own sign and park at David's Bridal in the back.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Remember Valentines Day is coming up and breeding mom's will be working over time. If they are out in <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR82-9NOuwMgzDqjav0lR3FwGzc-nTJUg5L6ozTx-B6P4j1wVyWvx_Gebwnos8QZahR3Gk5Uajoi7SIIzvXvTpQzybYuWAaQxUoKOoXR4bcfOswgGzFMKJ75wVgCg9Qa98t9NDF_0FuEg/s1600/dog_heart_say+no+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569935108682399970" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 186px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR82-9NOuwMgzDqjav0lR3FwGzc-nTJUg5L6ozTx-B6P4j1wVyWvx_Gebwnos8QZahR3Gk5Uajoi7SIIzvXvTpQzybYuWAaQxUoKOoXR4bcfOswgGzFMKJ75wVgCg9Qa98t9NDF_0FuEg/s200/dog_heart_say+no+2.jpg" border="0" /></a>the cold, you could spend a couple hours helping us hurt sales once again. Bring a<br />friend!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjz3N9nOkmSyU5yMpn80DwTZS575eIdcb5Q9QYX2a9pLGmndaOiBYc36t_OPY9Ktuj4KKXA7aOTX628BWcjkBM5apVNsGqTmrl4Y4snGPIoV7l5EC0xsCFNNFGJA3vEMk7Ue3YKMJu1jo/s1600/IMG_8178.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjz3N9nOkmSyU5yMpn80DwTZS575eIdcb5Q9QYX2a9pLGmndaOiBYc36t_OPY9Ktuj4KKXA7aOTX628BWcjkBM5apVNsGqTmrl4Y4snGPIoV7l5EC0xsCFNNFGJA3vEMk7Ue3YKMJu1jo/s1600/IMG_8178.JPG"></a>Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468227581647404214.post-91756742266106435022011-02-04T04:19:00.000-08:002011-02-04T07:11:29.245-08:00Welcome to the Campaign!Welcome to the Family Puppy Boycott Blog! My name is Pam <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sordyl</span>, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hellooooo</span> to all the Michigan Dog Advocates fed up with puppy-peddling stores, booths, pole barns and brokers. If you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">didn</span>’t know, The Family Puppy is the largest puppy-selling pet store in Michigan pumping thousands of puppies into our communities..thus this live blog.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_L6_bzGT1B5iVJAlWTz1hKMCcevtAoilA9_R6dugkpKAr4qBTvvzonIAn78x2jBa1e4t20L8Z4kI_TpNOCnVQJq7NYaAUtNK-ih5JiAgpejq-8SCxVDzNeqaUM38DgOm7dwEjwz439fw/s1600/Channel12_protestFamilyPuppy.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-uJ4rmXL0JnOYaYQLPvLFmFQWNuQB6makguQTBMuQjOi9mw51x614bv7SH7v3_zOpFtR0qvjplkL-hLbW5ILRr6Bya6Jmm6wyieL0TG8Weu-DsVS8Q3z3_byOUf0M_KCRfKuDKxwPJI/s1600/Channel12_protestFamilyPuppy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569851993744311698" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-uJ4rmXL0JnOYaYQLPvLFmFQWNuQB6makguQTBMuQjOi9mw51x614bv7SH7v3_zOpFtR0qvjplkL-hLbW5ILRr6Bya6Jmm6wyieL0TG8Weu-DsVS8Q3z3_byOUf0M_KCRfKuDKxwPJI/s200/Channel12_protestFamilyPuppy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />For those of you who may just be joining our “Family Puppy Boycott” campaign, you can get up to speed on things by reading our <a href="http://www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness/messages/boards/thread/8511533/10#34104968"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Meetup</span> Message Board </a>that we used last year to post activities.<br /><br />I plan to keep you up-to-date on all of our Family Puppy campaign activities for 2011 here on our blog.<br /><br />So allow me to debrief you. In December of 2009, we learned that The Family Puppy retailer opened a new store at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Genesee</span> Valley Mall located in Flint. We gathered some breeder information and quickly met with the mall management to ensure they investigated the breeders themselves and understood they would be supporting puppy mills. We then launched the <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/tell_genesee_valley_mall_no_pet_stores">Tell <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Genesee</span> Valley Mall "No Pet Stores"</a> petition. Please sign – still active!<br /><br />We called and wrote letters to the store asking them not to sell puppies. They were not open to holding adoption events only. We were surprised that the media covered the over population problem in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Genesee</span> County, as well as, our campaign with many <a href="http://www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness/messages/boards/thread/8511533/10#34104968">articles in the Flint Journal </a>in the first quarter of 2010.<br /><br />Our campaign team grew when we launched <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?sk=2361831622#!/group.php?gid=114943251883855">our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Facebook</span> Group</a>- 235 members to date. Please join us!<br /><br />To help spread the word about puppy mills, we asked local pet supply stores in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Genesee</span> County to sign a pledge not to sell puppies. This was a very successful with almost all the stores pledging. In total, we collected 90 pledges across the state.<br /><br />In the spring of 2009, the focus changed to the store’s commercial breeding facilities, which is what this is all about. We completed a five-month investigation including kennel photos and videos. We released some of our findings in a press release that announced our Puppy Mill Awareness Day Protest at the mall. <a href="http://www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness/photos/998000/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Flyers</span> were distributed.</a><br /><br />Our Puppy Mill Awareness Day event attracted the media including a story about a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Tegan</span>, a sick pup that was purchased. Linda <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Dahl</span> stated the store never did follow up after the interviews. The protest turned out to be our largest rally ever.<br /><br />For <a href="http://www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness/messages/boards/thread/10175179">the holiday’s</a>, the stores busiest time of the year, we launched a series of rallies and issued a another press release - <a href="http://www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness/messages/boards/thread/10083773/0#38840777">Puppy Mill Awareness Plans Round-A-Bout Rallies</a>. Concerned citizens reached many mall patrons warning them about the pet store. We held eleven protests at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Genesee</span> Valley Mall. <a href="http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=7825284">Channel 12 </a>helped us reach the community as well.Pam Sordylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10217690413058239169noreply@blogger.com0