While puppy mills have long been a hot topic within the dog community, the subject has only recently garnered mainstream attention with specials on Oprah [3] and ABC’s Nightline [4]. (See also “Busted” [5] in The Bark, May 2009.) Even Cesar Millan is using his star power to do a puppy mill exposé that airs tonight (May 8) on National Geographic [6]. While the increased exposure has certainly had an impact, millions of Americans still unknowingly support puppy mills.

Last year Utah-based Best Friends Animal Society [7]decided to target pet stores, puppy mills’ main source of income. The animal advocate group launched Puppies Aren’t Products [8], a campaign that stages weekly peaceful protests in front of stores that sell puppy mill dogs, a tactic that hurts sales and educates the public. Best Friend’s efforts began in Los Angeles, Calif. [9], a state where they estimate euthanized shelter pets have cost taxpayers over $250,000,000 to date.

Puppies Aren’t Products demonstrations have already resulted in the closing of Pet Love [10], a 15-year-old pet store in Beverly Hills, and the replacement of Pets of Bel Air with Woof Worx [11], a store that showcases rescue dogs for adoption. 

The success of the Los Angeles chapter has inspired campaigns in Las Vegas, Nev. [12], and, most recently, New York City [13]. Last week Best Friends volunteers began a new protest location in front of Manhattan’s American Kennels [14]. Participants reported that many people were unaware that the pets inside were mass-produced in deplorable conditions.  

Puppy mills are hard to regulate through the government so I do believe that change must come through education. I admire the persistence of the Puppies Aren’t Products volunteers and am excited to see the impact they’ll have in the New York area and beyond.