Puppymill Awareness Day

Yesterday was Lancaster's Puppymill Awareness Day at the Intercourse Community Park. It was a PERFECT day for an outside event--clear blue skies, cool with a light breeze and the beautiful sun shining down on the day. Nick, Tink, and I went to help with the NEBTR table which Amy and Mike from the Rescue headed up. It was wonderful to finally meet them and Gracie and Amanda and Tom as well as their Starla and Rascal. A few other members stopped by including Tiff and Janice and some others who i can't recall by name.

Gracie and Rascal

Amy created paws forever kits that create a permanent clay impression of your pups foot. I believe they will be available on the NEBTR website at some point. Tink and I did some baking (ok, i baked and Tinker taste tested.) Peanutbutter treats, banana biscuits, and dehydrated sweet potatoes were on the list. We also had some cooling collars that another member, Victoria makes.
creating a paws forever print : )

There was quite the turnout to the event with lots of rescues present including the Frenchie rescue network, coast to coast daschunds, 2 boxers groups, bassets, a transport crew, the Lancaster Humane League, a Schiztu rescue among others. Whole foods provided a free organic and vegan lunch that was quite tasty.

Gracie giving love to Tinker

Part of the awareness day was a march through intercourse protesting and raising awareness about the cruelty and reality of puppymills. There are so many Amish run mills in the area. People need to become aware of the fact that if you buy a dog from a petstore you are supporting a mill and all the atrocities associated with a mill. There is legislation that is in the house and senate right now trying to change rules and regulations concerning the overall housing conditions of the dogs, but nothing is going to change unless people voice their concern and do something about it. Animals are not a crop and should not be treated as a product.

Anyways, it was a great day for networking, meeting some neat people, hearing amazing stories of great dogs, enjoying the beautiful weather, working to raise awareness of the mills, and taking steps to stop the ways mills currently function. I certainly learned a bit through the entire day and am very greatful that we were able to attend.

Tink would have slept all day on my lap if we let her! She was a great sleepy spokesdog for the Boston Terrier! She actually did fantastic yesterday (no surpise there.) I would also like to point out that I have an amazing husband. Not only did he come along, but he worked hard at the table selling the available items and he enjoyed it. Hopefully there will be a time when we won't need a day like yesterday, but until then we will plan on attending and helping out in any capacity we can.

Here is the link to the awareness day for those of you who would like more information.