On People demonstrate against Petland, but store says it uses reputable breeders

Posted on August 16 at 2:41 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Alliance for Animals,Rock co. works hard to educate and encourage the public to work with groups such as Shelter from the Storm. We highly advocate going to such rescues. As an animal rights group, we strive to encompass a vast array of animal issues. As a group we host and attend protests and demonstrations. Along with that we participate in multiple educational outreach events, host guest speakers for public forums and presentations, arrange low cost spay/neuter appointments,assist with trap/neuter/release programs, attend lobby days, campaign for multiple issues, and help with many individual situations that come up. As a community, it takes a multi-faceted approach when working on changing long set traditions. We work in conjunction with many other local and national groups to achieve a more consistant resolution to the many issues that concern animals of all species. It takes everyone working as a unit to accomplish saving the lives and preventing the deaths of millions of animals annually. From grassroots groups to members of congress~ we can all participate in stopping the sad tragedies that happen to innocent lives. Every effort adds up. It's the same effect as turning off the water when you brush your teeth. With all of us doing our part, we're conserving massive amounts of resources. In the case of animals~ we all need to step up and stop these abhorrant practices from continuing.

On People demonstrate against Petland, but store says it uses reputable breeders

Posted on August 13 at 5:59 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

At each and every Alliance for Animals Rock Co. demo, we adhere to strict laws and local regulations. We stand in the grassy median because that is where we are allowed. We're not permitted on private property, thus the median is the only place we're allowed. We have had a full review and contact with local authorities in order to ensure that our demos are legal and safe. In NO way would we ever want to harm anyone passing by and in no way would we want to harm ourselves. To imply such is rediculous. I find it disturbing to read the comments about stifling our rights as American citizens. We are grateful to live in a democracy where one can speak their views freely. To ban protesting would quickly evolve into one slippery slope. Would these people also be willing to sacrifice their own right to speak out? We're all concerned citizens willing to stand up for these animals who suffer miserable existences daily on an incomprehensible scale. Because someone else may not share our viewpoints does not entitle them to take away our rights as free Americans. These animals need our help and it's time to step up as a community and take action. (sidenote: YEA! what a great follow-up in today's gazette! Thanks to the staff for continuing to bring these issues into the attention of the public!)

On People demonstrate against Petland, but store says it uses reputable breeders

Posted on August 11 at 5:04 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Mike~ we do disagree with the massive breeding facilities. It's a sad fact that these businesses will not be outlawed completely. Currently, our state is one of the worst in the country as far as numbers of mills exisiting. The passing of the bill is a step further in exposing these places and their motives. The reality of the matter is that it takes small steps to make progress. Patience and persistance pay off. Combining the passing of more regulations, more inspections(and larger fines for violations) and the grassroots initiatives will further the education of the public, which in turn leads to more people adopting rescues and shopping at stores that don't sell animals. It's all small steps culminating into one goal of protecting more lives. We are in support of this bill passing because it is one step further in the right direction.

On People demonstrate against Petland, but store says it uses reputable breeders

Posted on August 11 at 4:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Alliance for Animals, Rock co. is also AGAINST factory farming, although i see no need to start an overall debate on ALL animal rights issues in this forum. We advocate peace, compassion, and consideration for all species. No animal deserves to suffer, we do our best to speak up on behalf of each and every one of them. To think of these actions as "radical" is disturbing. When did the definition of radical become 'standing up for someone or something in need?' We see a void and we work to lend our help in any issue that we may encounter.

On People demonstrate against Petland, but store says it uses reputable breeders

Posted on August 11 at 4:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Please remember, many of the posts on this forum are NOT from members of Alliance for Animals. Blanket statements implying our group are taking away from the issues at hand. Alliance for Animals, Rock co. is AGAINST the breeding/selling of small animals, birds, reptiles, any living animal, from mills. We addressed these issues in the article but that part was omitted. Our stance is that ALL mills should be shut down. Any industry supporting the exploitation of animals is wrong. We advocate adopting a rescue animal, whatever species you prefer.

On People demonstrate against Petland, but store says it uses reputable breeders

Posted on August 10 at 5:23 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

It's wonderful to read all of these testimonials of Petland stories. Not only do we have large files of local experiences with the store, but the HSUS lawsuit against petland has over 600 participants. All of these personal commentaries only reinforce the claims that this store is contributing to the problems of animal exploitation, pet overpopulation, and mass euthanizations. Google "puppy mill" and look under the "pics" option. These are the faces of the dogs that produce those fluffy puppies in the window. The sad truth is that most animals sold in stores come from these types of places. Many are sick, many die shortly after arriving home. Many, MANY end up in rescues and shelters due to the fact that they are sick, have emotional/attachment issues, or grew out of the cute puppy phase. Please shop for supplies at stores that support local rescue groups, or host satellite adoptions. You're not only saying "NO" to puppy mills, you're saving lives and saying "YES" to compassion.

On People demonstrate against Petland, but store says it uses reputable breeders

Posted on August 10 at 4:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

to contact Alliance for Animals, Rock co. or to join in the cause, please email: allanimals.rock@gmail.com
or go to www.allanimalsrock.blogspot.com

On People demonstrate against Petland, but store says it uses reputable breeders

Posted on August 10 at 4:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Before you dismiss Alliance for Animals, the HSUS, or other groups speaking up these animals (who are very capable of feeling pain and anxiety, that's been proven scientifically), we ask you to look in your own pet's eyes. Certainly most of us have had a pet at one time in our lives, please take a second to picture your beloved critter locked in a filthy cage, being forced to reproduce, to never know love or see the light of day, to live in constant fear...many end up chewing off the limbs of other dogs due to stress, cramped conditions, and boredom. Often the momma dogs are completely unable to even stand up due to being crammed in a small cage for their entire lives. They suffer from excruciatingly painful mastitis, torn uteruses and separation anxiety from being taken from their pups. How sad that death is the only saving grace for these silent creatures.

That is what these mills and backyard/basement breeders do. They perpetuate a cycle of abuse, callousness, and insensitivity. We strive to educate the public and to end the cycle of exploitation and abuse. We're not crazy, it's the fact that these stores continue to exist that's crazy. We are a group of people who care. We encourage compassion and empathy, and we greatly appreciate the amazing amounts of people who continually come out to help us spread the word at our demonstrations. These animals don't have voices, but we humans do. It's time to use them! Please consider shopping at stores such as Mounds for pet supplies, where they work with rescue groups to place perfectly loving, wonderful, needy animals. Every dime spent at Petland perpetuates the problem and only encourages this selfish practice of using life for profit. It's time these abhorrent practices be brought out of the dark and into the light, literally.

On People demonstrate against Petland, but store says it uses reputable breeders

Posted on August 10 at 4 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

As a Co-Director of Alliance For Animals, Rock Co. (the group arranging the Petland demonstrations), I felt it necessary to post a few key points. First: we are an animal rights organization. We are based out of Rock co. and we are overwhelmed with responses from people who've purchased pets from the Janesville Petland (and many reports from other petlands around the country). We have numerous vet reports on sick petland animals. This is not a speculation, this is a fact. Our group, along with many other concerned animal advocacy groups, has complied pages of reports. We were given a tour of petland within the first few weeks they opened and Mike Sardina showed us around personally. We saw the "sick room" (a glass closet with "special air" flowing in). It was full almost immediately after opening. They have had confirmed cases of Parvo and Ghirardia. (BOTH are HIGHLY contagious and easily taken home on shoes to your own pets.) There is no argument there~ these animals come from horrific deplorable conditions, riddled with disease and unsanitary pens, then packed up and shipped off in semi trucks. Their parents are forced to breed until they can't any longer. They live in the dark, in their own feces and urine. The standards that puppy mills have currently in this state are less than that for livestock! They may have an overturned garbage can as a shelter and a bowl of food a day. Water is supposed to be available, but often times one small bowl a day is it. And if it spills? Refills are few and far between. That's it. Then, at very young ages they are stripped of their families and shipped off around the country. they are stuffed in tiny clean cages in a store front where people can decide to make payment plans for these high priced pooches.

There was an article in the Gazette last year about a Petland employee who was arrested for animal neglect. There were pictures included in the article. He had stacks of animals in tupperwear containers stuffed in his house, breeding any and all small animals that he could. He admitted that Petland bought these animals from him. Petland's local breeders do the same things as the puppy mills: poor living conditions, lack of veterinary care, and a blatant disregard for the safety and well being of these animals. The animals in stores like petland come from these types of breeders~ ferrets, bunnies, birds, reptiles, etc. There are mills and basement/backyard breeders for every species. Just as there are breeders for all species~ every breed and species out there has a rescue group advocating for it. Every time an animal is purchased from a pet store, it takes away a potential home for a shelter animal, which results in massive amounts of daily euthanizations at shelters nationwide. Check on www.Petfinder.com to find local animals in need who are looking for loving forever loving homes.