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RMAD introduces
The RMAD WatchDog
The RMAD WatchDog goals are:
• To ensure that state regulations are enforced, especially focusing on PACFA, the Colorado program responsible for enforcement.
• To reach out to consumers who have purchased sick puppies.
• To work with humane organizations and dog groups in order to expand our message.
• To work with law enforcement when we are made aware of situations in Colorado that may warrant further investigation or action.
• To work with the state legislature to pass dog-friendly legislation.
• To support and promote pet store protests.Every year nearly 4 million dogs and cats are killed in the United States because no one adopted them. Buying a pet store dog essentially means that an adoptable shelter dog will die. Reputable breeders do not sell to pet store. The dogs in a pet store typically come from puppy mills, which are industrial breeding facilities. Puppies are treated like products and breeding dogs endure miserable lives, confined to cages.
What’s HotAttorney General Takes Action Against Colorado Humane Society
The Colorado Attorney General has filed suit against the Colorado Humane Society’s (CHS) management and board. The Attorney General has recently appointed a custodian to take over operations of the animal shelter and removed the alleged bad actors. The new custodian is in need of volunteers to help with animal care during this transition. Please contact the shelter directly if you are interested: (303) 781-9344. Note that the Humane Society of the United States is not affiliated with CHS.
The moment we’ve all been waiting for has arrived!Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is introducing a puppy mill bill in the Colorado state legislature this upcoming session!
The main provision of the bill is to limit the number of unsterilized (not spayed or neutered) adult dogs a dog breeder can house at their facility at one time. Further details and an official draft of the bill have not been finalized just yet but the bill has an exciting sponsor and lots of momentum. Representative Beth McCann is sponsoring the bill and it will only be successful with your involvement. The session starts in early January and things pick up quickly from there but there’s no way to know for sure when the bill will be introduced, heard in committee, or voted on so you’ll need to watch closely for updates.
You have several different options for staying updated. Take advantage of as many or as few as you wish, it’s all for your convenience:
Are you on Facebook? Join the Colorado Animal Advocates group
Meetup.com addict? HSUS is there too!
Sign up for HSUS’s lobbyingThink only professional lobbyists can lobby? Think again! The Humane Society of the United States invites you to participate in the Colorado Humane Lobby Day in Denver to make a tremendous difference for animals. In 2009, HSUS will focus on getting puppy mill legislation passed, so come if you can! This awesome opportunity is on Feb 12th, 2009. Plan on spending the day! Click here for more info and to RSVP.
Successes!
National Day of Pet Shop Protest is a success
On December 20th, 2008, RMAD joined forces with In Defense of Animals and the Companion Animal Protection Society to hold a protest at Longmont’s Pet Spot. Activists have been demonstrating outside of the store nearly every week for a year, and this day was no exception. In spite of the bitter cold, seven people and two dogs spent nearly three hours with informative signs and handouts.
Jessie’s Pet “ Paradise” in Castle Rock CLOSED DOWN!!Relentless demonstrations by animal activists regarding poor dog care at this pet store resulted in the store closing permanently.
Click here to read the newspaper story. Click here to see the TV report; the owner, Tracey Stillwell, claims she was targeted by "bunny-squeezing, tree-hugging, slimeball animal activists."
On-Going Campaigns
Most every Sunday (noon to 3:00), join other dog lovers in a peaceful protest at Pet Spot in Longmont. (photo)
Location: 900 S Hover Rd (Hover & Nelson), Longmont. The leaders send out an email ahead of time to ensure that the demo will happen (sometimes foul weather, etc, cancels the demo). To subscribe to the email list, click here.
In June 2008, the co-owner of the Pet Spot was charged in June with 34 counts of animal cruelty after police officers found puppies crammed into backroom kennels. Pet Spot’s Better Business Bureau rating is “F,” the lowest rating given.
Urge Petland to Stop Selling Puppy Mill PuppiesHSUS’s eight-month investigation reveals that many stores across the country are marketing puppy mill puppies to unsuspecting consumers. Send a message, click here.
Have a complaint against a pet store or a breeder?If you have concerns about the health or care of pet animals in a licensed facility then you can file a complaint with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Pet Animal Care Facilities Program (PACFA) online or by phone at (303) 239-4167. For more info about PACFA, click here.
Click here to look pet stores and breeders up at the Better Business Bureau.
Click here for a list of Colorado breeders licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Click here to go to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Welfare home page.
Join the WatchDog listKeep in the loop on everyone’s efforts to protect dogs and puppies. Click the button below to join the RMAD WatchDog Yahoo Group and start connecting.
ResourcesHow Dog Protection is Regulated in Colorado
Humane Society of the United States
