Puppy Mill Awareness Day | 9.18.10

Puppy mills are horrible places where dogs are bred for profit and kept in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions. Food and water are contaminated with waste, animals are often sick or injured without treatment, and they are isolated and unloved. Many animals born in puppy mills have genetic diseases or behavioral issues. When an animal is no longer useful, he or she is killed without compassion or mercy. Sadly, local, state and governments do little to regulate, punish, or stop these cruel and unspeakable horrors. Just this year, a Romulus, New York kennel owner made his own gas chamber and murdered over 90 dogs (story here). He told an inspector for the USDA about this activity at a July 15 visit, and apparently the inspector did nothing. (It is illegal for kennel owners to perform euthanasia, though this is nothing less than murder.)

The Humane Society of the United State offers an number of ideas for caring people who want to help stop puppy mills. To sum them up:

• Get educated
• Educate others
• Adopt, don't buy
• Advocate for tougher governmental regulations
• Donate to animal organizations

Petition at Change.Org
Awareness Day Link

Quotation of the Day

"We live by the death of others: we are burial places! I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look on the murder of animals as they now look on the murder of men."

~Leonardo da Vinci                     .

Stop War

Help the Ithaca Dog Park

The Ithaca dog park at Treman Marina is not supported by city, county, or state funds beyond the land itself. Volunteers maintain the park, and the TC Dog Owners Group relies on donations to pay for the 60,000 biobags used each year, a contract with Cayuga Compost to pick up and compost dog poop, fences (temporary and permanent), and other equipment and amenities at the park. For the first time since the dog park opened, expenses exceed donations. If you enjoy the dog park and appreciate the value it brings to the community, please consider making a donation at the link below! Or, do it for Walter!



TC Dog Owners Group

Ellis Paul Concert

We had a great time at the Ellis Paul concert sponsored by the Cornell Folk Song Society. The concert was in a lecture hall on campus, so EP started the evening by saying, "Turn to page 127 of your textbooks." As always, his between music banter was interesting and funny, and his music was amazing. I've seen him perform in many venues, to many sized crowds, and it doesn't matter if it is a very small group or a packed house, he gives his all to the music.

Quotation of the Day

"Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have, and all that we are, toward creating a world that supports everyone. But it is also securing the space for others to contribute the best that they have and all that they are."

~Hafsat Abiola