Recent allegations of unimaginable animal cruelty and abuse at the Berger Blanc have moved animal lovers into action in full protest against the inhumanity. Unfortunately, the environment exposed at the Berger Blanc is symptomatic of a much more profound problem with adoption, breeding and selling of dogs in the province of Quebec.
The sad and disturbing fact is that Quebec is known as The Puppy Mill Capital of North America. Animal rights and abuse prevention in Quebec is nonexistent thanks to lax provincial animal protection laws. Animal cruelty investigations are derailed by the overwhelming demand met with a lack of resources and funding. The reality is that the safety and health of our animals is not a priority in Quebec because we have not demanded that it be. For those of us who respect, love, and cherish our relationships with animals, the provincial animal rights situation is shocking and embarrassing.
I implore everyone who has felt compelled to stand-up and act in reaction to the Berger Blanc expose not to stop there! To elicit real, profound change, we need to look deep into our canine culture and examine the ignorance that has allowed Puppy Mills, Pet Stores, pounds, backyard breeders, and shelters to abuse our animals.
The truth is...
When you buy a dog from a pet store:
- You ARE buying a dog born in a Puppy Mill.
- You ARE filling the order for the next dog to be produced in a Puppy Mill.
- You ARE buying a dog produced strictly for profit.
- You ARE buying a dog with unknown genetic, health, breed and temperament history.
- You are NOT buying a registered purebred dog, no matter what papers are provided.
When you shop at a Pet Store that sells live animals:
- You ARE supporting a business that supports Puppy Mills.
- You ARE supporting Puppy Mills.
- You ARE supporting animal cruelty and abuse.
When you buy a dog from a Backyard Breeder:
- You are NOT buying a purebred dog.
- You are NOT buying a dog that has been thoughtfully bred to ensure sound temperament, structure or health.
- You ARE buying a dog with unknown genetic, health, breed and temperament history.
The common denominator when you buy from a Pet Store or Backyard breeder: You’re supporting and contributing to the culture of animal abuse in Quebec.
On the surface, pet stores and certain breeders may look squeaky clean.
Unfortunately, behind the curtain of cuteness, there is a culture of cruelty just like what was exposed at the Berger Blanc. Squalor, overbreeding, abuse, neglect, unsanitary conditions and countless other unimaginable violations of basic animal decency are the norm for Puppy Mills and other irresponsible breeders of dogs. The victims: The dogs and the future owner.
Change is up to us. To stand against the abuse of animals in this province, we need to be mindful of where our dogs come from and which dog adoption practices we are supporting. The next time you or your family are getting a dog, reflect on the graphic images of the Berger Blanc and consider that behind the veil of that cute doggie in the window, there is a culture of profit that puts the almighty dollar ahead of basic animal rights. There are only two places to buy a dog: a reputable breeder or a responsible rescue group. The rest are wolves in sheep clothing.
To help future dog owners find reputable breeders and rescue groups, Pup launched www.pupmatch.net, a website dedicated to helping individuals and families find the right dog from the right source.
For more information about the Berger Blanc cruelty allegations and what you can do to make it stop, visit: www.bergerblanccruelty.com
The sad and disturbing fact is that Quebec is known as The Puppy Mill Capital of North America. Animal rights and abuse prevention in Quebec is nonexistent thanks to lax provincial animal protection laws. Animal cruelty investigations are derailed by the overwhelming demand met with a lack of resources and funding. The reality is that the safety and health of our animals is not a priority in Quebec because we have not demanded that it be. For those of us who respect, love, and cherish our relationships with animals, the provincial animal rights situation is shocking and embarrassing.
I implore everyone who has felt compelled to stand-up and act in reaction to the Berger Blanc expose not to stop there! To elicit real, profound change, we need to look deep into our canine culture and examine the ignorance that has allowed Puppy Mills, Pet Stores, pounds, backyard breeders, and shelters to abuse our animals.
The truth is...
When you buy a dog from a pet store:
- You ARE buying a dog born in a Puppy Mill.
- You ARE filling the order for the next dog to be produced in a Puppy Mill.
- You ARE buying a dog produced strictly for profit.
- You ARE buying a dog with unknown genetic, health, breed and temperament history.
- You are NOT buying a registered purebred dog, no matter what papers are provided.
When you shop at a Pet Store that sells live animals:
- You ARE supporting a business that supports Puppy Mills.
- You ARE supporting Puppy Mills.
- You ARE supporting animal cruelty and abuse.
When you buy a dog from a Backyard Breeder:
- You are NOT buying a purebred dog.
- You are NOT buying a dog that has been thoughtfully bred to ensure sound temperament, structure or health.
- You ARE buying a dog with unknown genetic, health, breed and temperament history.
The common denominator when you buy from a Pet Store or Backyard breeder: You’re supporting and contributing to the culture of animal abuse in Quebec.
On the surface, pet stores and certain breeders may look squeaky clean.
Unfortunately, behind the curtain of cuteness, there is a culture of cruelty just like what was exposed at the Berger Blanc. Squalor, overbreeding, abuse, neglect, unsanitary conditions and countless other unimaginable violations of basic animal decency are the norm for Puppy Mills and other irresponsible breeders of dogs. The victims: The dogs and the future owner.
Change is up to us. To stand against the abuse of animals in this province, we need to be mindful of where our dogs come from and which dog adoption practices we are supporting. The next time you or your family are getting a dog, reflect on the graphic images of the Berger Blanc and consider that behind the veil of that cute doggie in the window, there is a culture of profit that puts the almighty dollar ahead of basic animal rights. There are only two places to buy a dog: a reputable breeder or a responsible rescue group. The rest are wolves in sheep clothing.
To help future dog owners find reputable breeders and rescue groups, Pup launched www.pupmatch.net, a website dedicated to helping individuals and families find the right dog from the right source.
For more information about the Berger Blanc cruelty allegations and what you can do to make it stop, visit: www.bergerblanccruelty.com
