Something We Can All Do

This report appeared on WBAL, the local Baltimore news channel yesterday (and again this morning). Someone abandoned at least 29 dogs in the freezing cold in Frederick, MD. They are all small dogs, like Poodles, Yorkies, Chihuahuas, and Cairn Terriers, and NONE were spayed or neutered. I say "at least 29" because 29 were found, but obviously it's possible that not all the abandoned dogs have been found. One of the dogs was struck and killed by a car.

This story just screams "puppy mill" to me. It's a total outrage and I think that, vegan or not, all thinking and feeling people are against these.

So what can the average person do to help stop things like this? Not just puppy mills, but the pet overpopulation problem more broadly? I'm happy to say that there are things you could do right now, easy things.

If you're not familiar with the International Society for Animal Rights (ISAR), I strongly suggest that you check out their website and blog and read about their activities.

Here's a link to their Model Mandatory Spay/Neuter Statute. I think it makes a lot of sense, and I think you will probably agree. And now here's the "action" part. I quote from the ISAR blog:

A participant in ISAR’s 2008 Homeless Animals’ Day from Florida has informed us that: “Just so you know, I copied the great model spay/neuter statute you wrote in your blog and forwarded it to all Fla state senators. I’ll do the same with the state reps tomorrow.” The Executive Director of Animal Law Coalition has requested “permission to reprint this wonderful monograph”—which ISAR gratefully granted.

So here's what I suggest:

1) Find out who your senators and representatives are. You can do that here.

2) Contact them by e-mail or, if you have the time and energy, by traditional, classic, paper-based mail, and let them know that you support a statewide mandatory spay/neuter statute.

3) Of course there's always MORE you can do. You could start by passing this on and encouraging others to contact their elected officials and urge them to take this issue seriously.

Voila! You're an animal rights activist! Now you can eat tofu for lunch and sit around feeling morally superior!