Dahna Bender
Give the Gift of Hope with ‘Giving of the Heart’ Christmas CD by Dahna Bender
My ‘Giving of the Heart’ Christmas album is a labor of love, driven by the love I feel for every precious pup still living in the nightmare of a puppy mill (if you aren’t familiar with the horrors of puppy mills, click here to learn about them). When I met 
Theresa Strader of National Mill Dog Rescue, I knew I’d met an angel. Her passion and drive was all it took to get this incredible organization off the ground. Theresa started NMDR 7 years ago and in that time they have saved more than 9,600 dogs from puppy mills. Relying solely on donations and grants for funding, they rescue discarded puppy mill breeding dogs from all over the county, and transport them to their home base kennel, ‘Lily’s Haven’, near Colorado Springs. Once at ‘Lily’s Haven’ each dog receives veterinary care, grooming, and most importantly, LOVE. I will forever be inspired by the dedication shown by their many volunteers and supporters; each of these individuals a part of facilitating rescues and aftercare, eventually helping to place each precious pup in a loving forever home.
I have been blessed to have the voice to create my ‘Giving of the Heart’ Christmas album, and the resources to offer all proceeds to support NMDR’s tireless efforts to help these innocent, abused dogs. I have believed from it’s inception that a completely selfless act of kindness can oly be successful if it’s pure – and there is no organization more pure than National Mill Dog Rescue.
The album is available on CD, digital Mp3 download, and iTunes.
CLICK HERE to purchase, or preview the music below.
| Name | Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Noel | 3:19 | |
| 2 | Jingle Bells | 2:29 | |
| 3 | The Little Drummer Boy | 3:45 | |
| 4 | Silent Night | 3:25 | |
| 5 | What Child Is This (feat. Karmine Alers) | 3:56 | |
| 6 | Sleigh Ride | 2:57 | |
| 7 | The Christmas Song | 2:34 | |
| 8 | Breath of Heaven | 4:25 | |
| 9 | Winter Wonderland | 3:09 | |
| 10 | Oh Holy Night | 3:36 | |
| 11 | Grown-Up Christmas List | 4:50 | |
| 12 | Wintersong | 3:45 |
Stunning USDA Setback for Puppy Mill Dogs
In a stunning setback in their efforts to increase enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), USDA has suddenly reversed course and decided to, once again, tolerate substandard conditions at puppy mills. Dr. Chester Gipson, USDA’s chief of enforcement for the AWA, recently told animal advocates that the USDA needs “to enable breeders to sell their dogs to pet stores” and citing violations is an impediment to such sales.
In the past few years, many municipalities have enacted ordinances restricting pet stores to only purchasing puppies from breeders with no violations on their federal inspection reports. These ordinances are intended to protect consumers from buying dogs from substandard puppy mills.
Shockingly, USDA has made the decision to help substandard breeders circumvent these ordinances and to continue to sell puppies in spite of continuing violations. USDA has recently instructed their inspectors not to cite breeders for “minor” violations as such documentation is making it more difficult for breeders to sell their puppies. When questioned as to their definition of “minor,” or as to how many minor violations of the Animal Welfare Act will be ignored per facility, and for how long such violations will be tolerated, USDA responded that it will be left up to the individual inspector and admitted that no guidance has been provided for the inspectors.
At a recent meeting of dog breeders, USDA officials told breeders that, “if at any time a violation has the potential of affecting your business, please call our office immediately and let us know,” emphasizing that USDA stands ready to enable breeders to market their dogs to pet stores.
In an effort to further aide substandard dog breeders, USDA has hired a long-time puppy mill lobbyist and advocate, Julian Prager, to be its “Canine Advisor.” Mr. Prager’s duties will include assisting in the training of USDA inspectors. Ironically, Mr. Prager has consistently opposed all laws regulating puppy mills and vigorously opposed Pennsylvania’s new puppy mill law, and most recently, fought against implementation of USDA’s new regulations on puppy mills selling over the Internet. Mr. Prager also opposed a law to prevent puppy mill operators from performing surgeries such as C-sections and debarking on their own dogs. Julian Prager seated with AKC lobbyists. This year the AKC allocated $10,000 to oppose Missouri’s new puppy mill regulations. Yet, this is the individual that USDA has hired to assist in the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, the law which regulates the same industry that Mr. Prager has served to promote and protect for several decades.
Please contact the Secretary of Agriculture and remind him that the AWA stands for the Animal Welfare Act and not the Dog Breeders Welfare Act. USDA’s sole focus, as mandated by Congress, should be on the welfare of the dogs and not the welfare of the substandard breeders’ businesses regardless of how the neglect of their animals is hurting them financially.
Contact Secretary Tom Vilsack at [email protected], leave a message at (202) 720-3631 or write him at:
Secretary Tom Vilsack
U. S. Department of Agriculture
Room 200-A
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250
Below is an example of what to write in either email or snail mail correspondence to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack:
It has come to my attention, through a social media campaign, “Accountability
Now”, USDA inspectors are incorrectly issuing violations for commercial dog
breeders. USDA inspection reports show breeding dogs clearly suffering, and in
pain, and inspectors issuing indirect violations.These breeding dogs need USDA inspectors to do their job correctly and enforce
the Animal Welfare Act.The issue of incorrect reporting of violations was addressed in in the OIG 2010
report and a corrective plan put in place. Today this corrective
plan is clearly not effective.The USDA’s 2015 Budget Summary and Annual Performance Plan does not contain the
words dog, breeding, kennel or canine once in relation to the AWA, which only
appears four times in the 127-page document. Where do the commercial breeding
dogs fall?Advocates for breeding dogs across the country are becoming aware of this
monumental problem with USDA inspections and are calling on you, the Deputy
Administrator for Animal Care USDA APHIS to make the changes needed to protect
breeding dogs to the fullest extent the Animal Welfare Act allows.
Harley to the Rescue – Two Puppy Mill Survivors Hit the Road to Rescue Dogs
In a unique twist to the very serious issue of puppy mills in the United States, two puppy mill survivors, Harley and Teddy, will hit the road this week with a team from National Mill Dog Rescue to rescue puppy mill dogs. DOGS SAVING DOGS!
PRLog – Jul. 27, 2014 – COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Dogs Saving Dogs! It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s two tiny Chihuahuas saving dogs from puppy mills again! Two puppy mill survivor superheroes, Harley and Teddy, will head out into the Midwest July 29th on yet another on their ‘Harley to the Rescue’ missions to save more than 60 puppy mill dogs with National Mill Dog Rescue.
Harley, a 13 year old Chihuahua and an iconic figure in the world of puppy mill awareness through social media, spent 10 years as a commercial breeder in a puppy mill. His one-eyed, grizzled image is immediately recognizable, due primarily to the fact he lost an eye being power washed at the puppy mill. Although suffering with congestive heart failure, he actively uses his Facebook page with 52,000+ followers to spread awareness about the cruel realities of puppy mills and raise funds for non-profit rescue groups.
Teddy is Harley’s sidekick and ‘Team Driver’. He uses his page with 20,000+ followers to spread puppy mill awareness and share his experiences of learning about life outside the cage. .
‘Harley to the Rescue’ started out as a campaign to raise the $2,500 needed to fund one rescue of approximately 25-30 dogs. Now they’re on the road to rescue more! To date, these two dogs have raised over $200,000 to rescue 364 dogs from the horrific conditions in puppy mills.
Through their social media outlets, they chronicle their journey into the world of puppy mills, all from the perspective of puppy mill survivors. Dogs Saving Dogs! Follow the mission of these ‘caped crusaders’ and support their cause!
To learn more: https://www.youcaring.com/harleytotherescue4
National Mill Dog Rescue is a Colorado Springs based 501(c)(3) organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes discarded commercial breeding dogs from puppy mills. NMDR relies on volunteers to care for the dogs, from the moment they are surrendered to the time they are adopted and beyond. The organization depends on the generosity of the public to provide the high level of care for our dogs and to continue to be able to save them.
National Mill Dog Rescue started with a single sentence in an e-mail that Theresa Strader received: “50 Italian Greyhounds in need.” A large-scale breeding operation, or ‘puppy mill’ was going out of business and all 561 dogs were going to auction. One of those dogs was a seven-year-old Italian Greyhound named Lily. The moment their eyes met through the wire of Lily’s tiny cage, Theresa knew her life had changed forever and that this new life would include Lily and a mission to bring about lasting change.
In honor of Lily, National Mill Dog Rescue was established in February 2007 to give a voice to mill dogs across the country. Since then, NMDR has rescued more than 9,100 puppy mill survivors, all while maintaining a strict no-kill policy. Every single dog that comes through the doors is spayed or neutered and given whatever additional medical care they need – without exception. They are groomed, many of them for the very first time. Years of filth and matted fur are removed, allowing the beautiful dog underneath to shine. Soon they learn about all the simple pleasures that they had never previously known – clean water, toys and treats, a soft bed, and most importantly, the love of a human companion.
Harley’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/harleyfreighttraintaylor
Teddy’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/teddybearburchfield
NMDR Website: http://milldogrescue.org
Tell The USDA We Want Puppy Mill Accountability NOW
The USDA is in charge of protecting commercial breeding dogs – aka: Puppy Mill breeding dogs. Through yearly inspections of kennels and breeding dogs therein the USDA inspectors issue violations of the Animal Welfare Act to the breeders.
This system has failed to protect breeding dogs from abuse and in humane conditions. Failure of this system has been documented by the Inspector General in scathing internal investigation reports as far back as 1992 and as recent as 2010.
Animal advocates are asking for ACCOUNTABILITY NOW!
A campaign has begun to sound the alarm and force USDA to retrain inspectors, correctly categorize violations as direct and indirect, issue monetary penalties when warranted, and enforce the Animal Welfare Act to the fullest extent of the law.
Please contact your state’s U.S. Senators and Congressional Representative and ask that they help with this very important campaign by sponsoring and supporting legislation holding the USDA accountable to the Animal Welfare Act – that they work across the aisle to see changes made. Send letters by mail, send emails, make phone calls. If you are a rescuer of a puppy mill breeding dog, tell your story and send pictures.
Click here to find your Senator’s contact information.
Click here to find your Congressional Representative’s contact information.
Please also contact:
Dr . Chester Gipson
USDA/APHIS /Animal Care
4700 River Road Unit 97
Riverdale, MD 20737-1234
Email: [email protected]
Tom Vilsack
United States Secretary of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave S.W.
Washington, DC 20350
Please share this with everyone you know and ask them to be the voice for the helpless hopeless breeding dogs!
Connecticut Governor Signs Puppy Mill Legislation
Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy was joined by state legislators and puppy mill advocates for the signing of Public Act 14-77: An Act Concerning Certain Recommendations of the Task Force on the Sale of Cats and Dogs from Inhumane Origins at Connecticut Pet Shops.
The new state law will increase standards for Connecticut retail pet shops and breeders. Here is an overview of what the bill does:
- Require pet shops to reimburse customers for veterinarian expenses incurred to treat a dog or cat that becomes ill shortly after purchase from the shop (this now will cover the purchase price of the animal and veterinary costs).
- Prohibit pet shop licensees from purchasing dogs or cats from a breeder who has violated U.S. Department of Agriculture animal welfare regulations in the past two years.
- Require the state Commissioner of Agriculture to develop a standard of care applicable to in-state dog and cat breeders by Dec. 31, 2014.
- Require pet shops to post the U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection reports for breeders of any dog offered for sale.
To view of the complete legislation, click here.
“There is evidence that puppy mills around the country have employed practices that any reasonable person would consider inhumane,” Malloy said while signing the legislation at a ceremony at the Greenwich Animal Shelter.
“By signing this bill into law, we are setting standards in Connecticut to ensure that animals are living in humane conditions,” Malloy said. 
Suffolk County’s Puppy Mill Bill – A Labor of Love
Suffolk County is the first municipality in New York State to regulate pet dealers and the source of the puppies they offer for sale to unknowing consumers. The “Puppy Mill Bill”, sponsored by Legislator Jay Schneiderman and Legislator “Doc” Spencer passed the legislature unanimously on June 3rd, 2014 in Hauppauge.
The bill sets standards for cage size, how cages are stacked, and will require dealers to provide inspection reports of the breeding facilities on request as well as post publicly that that information is available.
The bill also bans dealers in the county from buying animals from commercial breeding facilities that have:
- A direct violation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (which regulates breeders) within the past two years
- ‘No access’ violations on the two most recent inspection reports from the USDA
- Three or more different indirect violations, other than “no access violations,” on the most recent USDA reporter
- One or more recurring indirect violations on the most recent USDA report
There would also be a fine up to $500 per violation.
Barbara Dennihy, a local animal advocate spearheaded a movement to regulate pet dealers in Suffolk County in 2010. Along with other local animal advocates she went before Suffolk legislators asking for a ban on the sale of puppies in Suffolk County to combat puppy mill abuse. FOIL documents from New York State Agriculture Department show pet stores in Suffolk County source their puppies from horrible puppy mills some with horrible violations from the USDA against breeding dogs. Nothing could be done at that time because of an existing preemption in the NYS Agriculture law.
After a 3 year long campaign by animal advocates from all over New York State to get the preemption lifted, this past January Governor Cuomo signed a bill to lift the preemption allowing local municipalities to regulate pet dealers as long as they do not pass any bill to ban the retail sale of puppies that are raised in a safe and healthy manner. Before the ink was dry Barbara contacted Legislator Schneiderman and asked him to sponsor a bill to regulate pet dealers in Suffolk County. Working with local animal advocates and Schneiderman a bill was put together to regulate pet dealers. This is a first step in holding pet stores accountable. They can no longer hide the source of the puppies they sell. The real end to this horrible business practice lies with the consumers. They need to stop buying puppies from retail stores and over the internet.
“If you cannot meet the parents or at least the mother of the puppy, see the condition of the kennel the dogs live in, see the veterinary records for the parent dogs, and check references – then you should not purchase that puppy. If you do, you are probably supporting puppy mill cruelty. Pet stores use puppy mills to get puppies, that is a fact.”
My husband and I joined this effort near the tail end to help where we were able. We do not just get involved with awareness and fundraising, but on the legislation level too! My heart is full today!
New Minnesota Puppy Mill Law Goes Into Effect July 1st
As Puppy Mills continue to take center stage in animal welfare efforts, new laws are popping up around the country – from Chicago to New York, and now in Minnesota. As of July 1st, 2014 Minnesota will see the first of their puppy mill laws go into effect. Samantha Bohn, a columnist with the St Cloud Times and parent of a puppy mill survivor, wrote this wonderful piece on what it means for those in the puppy mill industry and what it will mean for the state.
From the St. Cloud Times…
A new era is beginning for cats and dogs bred in Minnesota. Beginning July 1, all commercial breeders of cats or dogs in the state must obtain a license to operate. Signed May 20 by Gov. Mark Dayton, the new regulations on commercial breeding operations set a precedent in our state.
Prior to these new regulations, Minnesota had no laws to license, inspect or regulate commercial dog and cat breeders. With this new law, breeders must not only obtain a license, they will also face inspections — both before a license can be issued and at least annually thereafter. The law also stipulates that animals be provided “daily enrichment” with “positive physical contact with human beings and compatible animals at least twice daily.”
These stipulations, among others, are aimed at preventing unethical operations that breed cats and dogs in literal filth with little to no adequate shelter, food, water or veterinary care. Not to mention, so-called “puppy mills” are notorious for poor breeding itself, resulting in deformed, unhealthy animals.
As an owner of a puppy mill dog that was discarded either by the facility or its previous owners, and as witness of the atrocities by puppy mills, I am fervently in favor of increased regulation of breeders. Ethical breeders in the state providing appropriate care and facilities shouldn’t fear the law. This law is meant to prevent unscrupulous breeders who enter into breeding purely for profit and do so at the expense of their animals’ lives and well-being.
If you haven’t witnessed puppy mills firsthand, I invite you to perform a Web search of puppy mills. These atrocities occur in Minnesota. In fact, depending on who or which organization you talk to, you might hear Minnesota at the top of the list of the most notorious states for puppy mills.
Recently, The Humane Society of the United States released a sampling of “problem puppy mills” in the U.S. The organization listed five breeding facilities in Minnesota, one as close as Eden Valley.
Minnesota made history last month, and I hope it will continue to do so in the area of animal rights. These new regulations — along with one enacted this year working to offer a second life to animals used in research facilities — are a small but paramount step in the direction of a more ethical, progressive society that protects its most vulnerable.
Thank you to Samantha Bohn for writing this important piece. Click here to visit it on the St Cloud Times website. Samantha welcomes comments and suggestions, and she encourages readers to submit pet questions she can explore at [email protected].
Are you interested in helping rescue discarded puppy mill breeding dogs? Visit www.milldogrescue.org
How to Fight a Puppy Mill
The Huffington Post frequently blogs about animal welfare situations, including puppy mills. Yesterday they featured an article full of good and bad news. The good: there is currently a lot being done to stop puppy mills across the nation. The bad: there is still a lot more to do.
From the Huffington Post…
Most people understand there’s a difference between selling a puppy and selling a toaster oven, but do our laws? It depends where you look.
Across the country, puppy mills — which in many cases are legal — are allowed to put profits ahead of pet welfare in the sole interest of their own profit-driven desires, churning out puppy after puppy like household appliances on a conveyor belt.
The good news is that states are finally addressing cruel breeding and animal selling practices, as well as strengthening industry accountability, with a variety of laws designed to protect and save lives. While some of the laws are stronger than others, they’re all no-brainers to those who see animals as more than products, yet many state legislatures are still resistant to regulation. Two current battlegrounds are North Carolina and Illinois, but many more states are tackling these issues.
You can play a part in ending puppy mills by refusing to buy anything, including both dogs and pet supplies, from a pet store that sell puppies, as well as supporting enactment of strong state humane laws. While the federal Animal Welfare Act sets minimum standards of care, these standards are grossly inadequate — enforcement is underfunded and too often lacks teeth. As a result, state and local laws often offer better protection for these animals.
Monitoring progress in every state provides a good snapshot of how attitudes are changing nationwide. Here’s a very current overview of recent animal welfare struggles and wins in state legislatures across the country as well as at the national level:
- Right now in North Carolina, legislation to prohibit certain inhumane breeding practices passed the House of Representatives in 2013 thanks to the strong leadership of House Speaker Thom Tillis. What the Senate will now agree to isn’t clear, but we fortunately have great friends in Governor and First Lady McCrory who have made the puppy mill issue a priority. We hope for a successful resolution in the coming weeks as the legislature is in session, but you can still help push this bill through.
- Last week, Minnesota lawmakers passed the state’s first puppy mill bill, which will help vulnerable animals in puppy and kitten mills thanks to the creation of a licensing program, annual inspections, and compliance with minimum standards of care for dogs and cats in commercial breeding facilities. The bill was signed into law on May 20 by Gov. Mark Dayton. This landmark legislation passed in large part thanks to Gov. Dayton’s admirable work with local advocates for many years.
- In Illinois, state legislators enacted a pet lemon law last year to hold pet stores accountable if they sell dogs or cats who later become ill. Very recently, at the urging of Gov. Pat Quinn, a bill was introduced to ban the sale of puppy mill dogs in pet stores. Several communities in the state had already enacted similar bans, making this state-wide push possible. However, with so little time left in the legislative session, this measure will likely not be considered before the legislature adjourns for the summer. Learn how you can still take action.
- In Connecticut, a bill awaiting the governor’s signature holds pet shops, breeders, and brokers more accountable for the welfare of the animals they sell by significantly increasing pet shops’ obligation to reimburse for veterinary care, prohibiting the sale of dogs from breeders and brokers with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) violations, and requiring pet shops to post federal breeder inspection reports.
- This bill, championed by tireless animal advocate Rep. Brenda Kupchick, grew out of a task force created by a statute in 2013 to examine possible legislative solutions to the puppy mill problem, including a full ban on the sale of puppy mill dogs in pet shops. A compromise, the present bill instead bans the sale of dogs from USDA licensed facilities that have certain violations of the Animal Welfare Act
- New York state law now authorizes local governments to crack down on cruel and unscrupulous pet dealers throughout the state. Until this change was made, only the state could control the fate of the animals in these facilities. As a result, a number of localities and counties have already introduced proposals to regulate pet dealers on the local level.
- A new law in Virginia requires pet stores to disclose the origins and health histories of dogs they sell, and expands the ability of customers to seek financial remedies if a purchased dog or cat becomes ill. Find out how to thank state lawmakers.
- California now prohibits the sale of animals at public outdoor venues including roadsides and parking lots. These sales endanger animals, and lead to both increased suffering and overpopulation.
- Nevada legislators banned the sale of animals at swap meets.
- Vermont lawmakers passed a measure that improves enforcement of the law protecting breeding dogs and the puppies they produce by providing clear definitions and eliminating legal loopholes.
- West Virginia passed a strong new law in 2013 requiring commercial breeders to be licensed. It also mandates inspections of breeding premises twice per year and sets minimum standards of care for dogs.
- Federally, the USDA now requires U.S. commercial breeders who sell puppies directly to the public sight unseen to be licensed and inspected. For the first time, thousands of breeders who sell dogs over the Internet will have to open their kennel doors to regulators.
Unfortunately, this leaves out puppies coming in from overseas. That’s why we’re still working to encourage the USDA to finalize a federal rule requiring non-U.S. breeders who import puppies to the U.S. to provide certification that each dog is in good health, has received all necessary vaccinations, and is at least six months of age.
Of course, the puppy mill and dog breeding industries are fighting tooth and nail to keep their industries alive with little or no accountability, which is why we need to be active and vigilant. Though contacting your representatives may seem like a futile effort, we’ve seen momentous change come from a loud community voice.
You can also help by taking the “No Pet Store Puppies” pledge not to buy anything from pet stores that sell puppies, and by encouraging others to do the same. Pet stores typically purchase puppies from USDA licensed breeders, many of whom are frequent violators of the federal Animal Welfare Act, and are allowed to sell even after repeated violations, including denying veterinary care to injured animals, keeping them in filthy and dangerous environments, performing invasive surgeries on their own animals without veterinary licenses, and, in some cases, shooting their unwanted dogs.
Our “No Pet Store Puppies” campaign also features over 10,000 photos taken by USDA inspectors at licensed breeding facilities, allowing consumers to see first-hand where pet store puppies really come from.
Puppy mills wouldn’t be the first inhumane industry to be stopped, banned, or criminalized thanks to public pressure. Child labor, animal fighting, sweatshops, horse slaughter, lead paint, and shark finning are all examples of one-time commonly accepted practices which now fall below the standards of civilized behavior. Strong laws, personal action, and collective outrage can make the price of doing this kind of business too high for even the most motivated entrepreneur.
The bottom line is this: Humane treatment is not our gift to animals; it’s our obligation. If your state isn’t doing enough to keep breeders in check, urge your elected officials to do more. If your community is tolerating puppy mills and pet stores that sell puppy mill puppies, bring the true nature of those businesses to light.
And if you think this is a problem that can’t be fixed, think again.
Thank you to Matthew Bershadker, President & CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), for penning this article. Learn more about the ASPCA’s mission and programs at ASPCA.org.
Are you interested in helping rescue discarded puppy mill breeding dogs? Visit www.milldogrescue.org
Help Make Your Local Pet Shop Puppy Mill “Friendly”
As an advocate of puppy mill awareness, it breaks my heart every time I drive by a pet shop. How could these owners be so cruel? So ignorant? It takes so much self restraint to not just march right in there and give them a piece of my mind…
But – as with so many things, sometimes you can catch more flies with honey. Next time you drive or walk by a pet shop and feel the need to offer a piece of your mind, try this:
Ask the clerk/owner where their puppies come from? How often they get new puppies? If they allow those who purchase these puppies to contact the breeders?
More often than not the responses will be vague and guarded.
Continue to let them know you, as a dog lover, only shop at pet stores that hold adoption drives instead of selling puppies. And you would be thrilled to see them change their practice to hold adoption drives instead.
Here are some benefits you can cite:
- Increased name recognition for the store
- Consumer loyalty
- Financial support through new customers and repeat visitors
- Stronger community ties thanks to your partnership with the local animal shelter(s)
The Humane Society also offers FREE listings to Puppy Friendly Pet Stores on their website, along with a free listing in their phone app so shoppers can find them anywhere. Did you know you can text “PUPPY” to 30644 to see puppy-friendly stores near you? Click here for more info and resources from the HSUS, including a printable “pledge” you can take into these stores.
This may seem like a such a small action, but imagine if each day someone took the time to stop in these pet stores and have this “talk. Imagine if each time a family was there, looking at puppies to purchase, and overheard your conversation. Sometimes, as an individual, we can feel powerless in this fight. But your voice – when combined with legislation, legal actions, rescues, and other efforts – does make a difference. It takes a lot of steps to walk a mile.
Click here to join me in supporting National Mill Dog Rescue as they rescue, rehabilitate and rehome discarded puppy mill breeding dogs.
A Giving of the Heart Conclusion
As many of you know, my initial efforts behind my website and my social networking was to help National Mill Dog Rescue raise funds through the sales of a Christmas CD – ‘Giving of the Heart’. I am very honored by those who purchased the CD and helped promote it. Thank you for that.
Although the project didn’t do what I had envisioned it to do for 2013, the good news is there is always another year to try again. What was so frustrating for myself and the PR firm is we received a lot of lip service from National Media. When it was time to commit no one stood by their word. Jules and Dani of The Pitching Staff were most upset as they truly believed in our vision and had every confidence and intention that they could achieve the goal of National Media that they were hired to accomplish.
What I have come to unfortunately realize is that the organization and the cause isn’t one that the Media finds as “news worthy” on its own merit. And since I am an unknown person my desire and campaign to help was also perceived as not “news worthy” . As horrific and untrue as this is, unfortunately they control what “the People” get to be exposed to.
With the kindness of Jules, the owner of the PR firm he has volunteered to continue his efforts for the project without compensation. What I have come to understand is we need to deliver what the Media “wants” to accomplish the goal. Bring funds and awareness to NMDR and the cruelties about Commercial Dog Breeding. Our main focus is to get celebrity support for the project in any form. Known artists to do songs on the CD. Celebrities to endorse the project or act as a spokesperson for the cause. Retail support in some way. Etc. These are the things we are currently and aggressively working on now.
Along with this I have retained Lesley Hollywood’s company to handle all the Social Media Marketing strategy’s for the project. This is to work hand and hand with what we still need ” The Media” to be truly successful this year. Lesley has been working with NMDR’s Rudi Taylor and helping her with all of their Social Media. So it’s wonderful that she already has great knowledge of what is needed to support NMDR with the project. She will be working with Rudi to help us support NMDR in the best fashion on this front.
I have to say I absolutely believe my/our efforts have not been in vain and still maintain that a true act of kindness when its purpose is pure the universe must deliver its success. I know in my heart “the People” want to help. I just need to do a better job of navigating through the obstacles and get the word to them so they can help. Just like NMDR’s mission and amazing success of saving the pups.
With humility and hesitation, I apologies that my campaign did not achieve the high hopes I had for it this past year to support NMDR’s work.
As I have stated I/we will not be giving up. The pups need us all to fight for them. It is the only reason.
With love and much respect,
Dahna Bender
