Today, as I'm sure most of you know, the animal advocacy world is abuzz with news of the Puppymill issue making it to the Oprah show. It is our understanding that much of that was due to an ingenious billboard installed near Harpo Studies by Bill Smith of Mainline Rescue...if that is indeed the case, all we can say is, You Go, Bill! Thanks for breaking through what seemed to be an impenetrable barrier for our friends. Please, on behalf of the puppymill dogs, watch the Oprah show today, then send the show a message thanking them for showing the horrible lives of puppymill dogs; be sure to ask for a show on America's chained dogs next! We'll have plenty of footage to share after this trip too!
Email Oprah Thanks and Ask for a Show on Chained Dogs Next
Update April 4, 2008. We've received over 120 tips from dog lovers from all twelve states, thanks so much for you help and support! We have offers of lodging, speaking, and media help in many of the areas, which we are gratefully accepting when it is at all possible or feasible logistically. Most pleas for our help came from North Carolina, where there is either a large awareness of the problem, or a very large problem statewide. Unfortunately since we are spending only one day per state, we have had to choose only those pleas or offers of lodging that are within or near our driving path between states. If we were to spend two days we could meet you all, but with the intention of the tour being to find as many as we can in only one day, we will be very pressed for time. Please know that we are very grateful for your caring and worries for chained dogs near you, regardless if we make it to your area or not! Keep on working for them, do not give up even when it seems hopeless.
Here are just a few of the heartbreaking tips we've received so far, some of which we can't even get to because they are too far out of our path:
I live in Alabama & it is considered "normal" for people to chain or pen their dogs.Dogs are not considered family members & few get to live inside with humans. Very few people have fenced yards. You could easily find a lot more than 10 dogs on chains within a 30 mi radius (Colbert, Franklin, & Lauderdale Counties).
I live in Georgia, my back yard neighbor has 4 pits chained and pad locked in his yard.
In Missouri, a Chihuaha and its yellow friend have been tied out on the coldest days of this winter in the freezing temperatures, snow, slush, and ice. The poor little Chihuahua laid shivering in its "doghouse" on a damp blanket not even looking up when a friend went to check on it. These 2 dogs deserve such a better life.
I live in North Carolina and my county really needs you!! I am sure you hear that from everyone but I really mean it. I live in Johnston County and people here have what I refer to as the good ole' mentality. They think they are suppose to have a dog in the yard no matter if they want it or not. It is a lawn ornament to them. You can not go 1 mile without seeing a chained dog. I know your goal is ten and that could be done within 1 short strip of highway. I have a dog in my neighborhood that has lived chain the whole time they have lived here. They even have him way off from the house along the tree line. He has a delapitated plywood doghouse and I NEVER see anyone go over to him. Well I take that back, a few weeks ago the little boy was out there taunting him with a hoe in his hand. He just lies out there in the rain. He doesn't go in the doghouse...I doubt it has a bottom. I know there may be dogs treated worse but he is my "special" one. I see him everyday !
I live in GA, just over the TN state line. One block over has five houses in a row with chained dogs in their front yard 24/7. The last house has two chained in the back also. I have hung signs on their street about "how inhumane it is, 13 GA counties has banned chaining for a reason and to have some compassion and bring your dogs in." One of them finally built a small fenced area. Sent Valentines this year to them to no avail. One beautiful golden retriever has been chained 24/7 since I moved here almost six years ago, he has worn away all traces of vegetation and lives in the dirt. Please come visit!
High Point, NC. The neighborhood near the police dept has hundreds of chained dogs.
Just outside the city of Birmingham--the west side of town. Dogs tied everywhere. Some houses have multiple dogs tied in one yard. It makes me sick.
12 Days, 12 States, 120 Chained Dogs
Day 1: April 6th, Missouri
Day 2: April 7th, Arkansas
Day 3: April 8th, Lousiana
Day 4: April 9th, Mississippi
Day 5: April 10, Alabama
Day 6: April 11, Georgia
Day 7: April 12, South Carolina
Day 8: April 13, North Carolina
Day 9: April 14, Tennessee
Day 10: April 15, Kentucky
Day 11: April 16, Virginia
Day 12: April 17, West Virginia
We plan to offer new collars and leashes for as many dogs as we can afford, plus give out treats and dog food in addition to educational materials and discussions. If you can help fund the trip and the supplies we'd like to deliver, it would be very much appreciated.
We Can Now Take Donations Over the Phone at 1.877.636.1408
If you'd like to donate via regular USPS mail, you may print out this
form in .pdf format, and send to P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 1668
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