THE PUPPY MILL PROJECT OFFERS EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS
CHICAGO, IL (JUNE 2013) – It's a fact that 99% of all puppies sold at pet stores are from a puppy mill, bred in deplorable conditions. However, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ASPCA, between 70-78% of adults do not know what a puppy mill is. Chicago based The Puppy Mill Project recognizes this and makes it their mission to educate the public about inhumane puppy mill practices, offering educational sessions for everyone from school aged children to members of civic groups and organizations on college campuses.
The Puppy Mill Project was founded in September 2009 and immediately it was determined specific educational sessions would benefit the community. These specialized sessions are offered at no cost to the community and a small team of volunteers donate their time to make them happen.
With a curriculum that covers all ages, The Puppy Mill Project educates diversified audiences on what defines a puppy mill, and what are a consumer's alternatives to avoid supporting inhumane breeding. Presentations make plain assessments stating, when you purchase a puppy from a pet shop, you are not “rescuing” the puppy. Rather, you are helping puppy mills make money! Commercial breeders misuse dogs, entrapping parent dogs in undersized living spaces with soiled cages. In order for puppy breeding facilities to profit, dogs live in inhumane conditions with inferior nutrition, and are given no human companionship. As prisoners for profit, puppy mill parents are awarded little to no rest from breeding, inadequate shelter from the elements, no exercise, and inadequate veterinary care, grooming, and socialization. The presentations attempt to expose the hush-hush inhumane treatment of the breeding dogs and puppies living in the mills. Puppies bred in such inhumane conditions often suffer from notable medical and behavioral problems. And yet unfortunately, two to two-and-a-half million puppy mill puppies are born and sold each year.
Through these educational sessions, The Puppy Mill Project's goal is to advocate for the breeding dogs left behind in the mills, encourage rescue and adoption versus purchasing a family pet, support pet stores with “humane business models,” and discuss how to identify responsible breeders. All presentations are given in an age-appropriate manner regardless of the age of the audience. Above all, they work hard to make sure that man's best friend is treated like man's best friend!
ABOUT THE PUPPY MILL PROJECT
Based in Chicago, Illinois, and founded in 2009, The Puppy Mill Project is a non-profit organization created to educate the public and raise awareness about the systematic animal cruelty in puppy mills.
Since 2009, The Puppy Mill Project has been successful in closing down four stores that were selling puppy mill dogs, and converting several others to a "Humane Pet Store Model". They have facilitated the rescue of over 200 puppy mill dogs. The organization has successfully educated hundreds of school-age children through its' Humane Education Program, as youth outreach is very important for the future.
Cari Meyers, the Founder, has made it her passion and life's work to put an end to puppy mill cruelty. This is done through community events, peaceful protests, humane education, donations, and the media. It is the only organization in Illinois dedicated solely to ending puppy mill cruelty. For more information, please call 847-261-4245, or visit www.ThePuppyMillProject.org.