A group of concerned citizens will stage a peaceful demonstration to raise awareness of puppy mills and promote the adoption of animals from local rescues and shelters at the Petland store in the Vineyard Shopping Center, located at 1309 N Loop 1604 in San Antonio, on Saturday, February 13 from 12-3 PM.
According to a 2009 report of the Humane Society of the United States, more than 95 percent of Petland’s retail chains stores are supporting puppy mills by purchasing their dogs from large-scale dog brokers and/or directly from puppy mill operations. These dogs are sold for hundreds of dollars, and are often in poor health due to lack of veterinary care, bad breeding and poor conditions. About 4 million dogs are bred in puppy mills each year while nearly 5 million animals are killed in America’s shelters. Last year, San Antonio Animal Care Services alone euthanized 15,000 dogs and cats. Decreasing the demand of pet store puppies through awareness and education will help San Antonio reduce animal overpopulation, making the city’s No-Kill by 2012 initiative an obtainable goal.
