Thursday, September 23, 2010

Proposition B

In November, Missouri residents have the opportunity to vote on Proposition B, also known as The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act. If you would like to read the proposed statute in its entirety, you can view it here: http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2010petitions/2010-086.asp. In essence, this act will require large scale breeding operations (more than 10 dogs) to provide each dog the following:

  1. Sufficient food and clean water
  2. Necessary veterinary care (at least one visit per year)
  3. Sufficient housing, including protection from the elements
  4. Sufficient space to turn and stretch freely, lie down and fully extend his or her limbs
  5. Regular Exercise
  6. Adequate rest between breeding cycles
This act would also limit the number of breeding dogs to no more than 50. Sounds reasonable, eh?

Having worked for the last five years in an animal shelter in Kansas City, I have seen the results of the over  3,000 puppy mills, both licensed and unlicensed, found in Missouri. I have held the dogs who are missing limbs, who have teeth rotting out of their mouths, who are so matted you don't know their sex until after they have been groomed, who are infested with fleas and ticks and intestinal parasites, who have brucellosis and mastitis, who are terrified to walk on the grass because they never have before and who need calm, caring homes because they have never known human interaction and love.

I have also held the dogs we couldn't save. The dogs I, and many others, had to euthanize. The dogs who were so far gone that no amount of medical or behavioral help could undue the years of damage inflicted upon them by the people who only viewed them as a way to make money.  These dogs all started out like the dogs lying at you feet or sleeping in your bed or giving you years of endless joy and unconditional love. We have the right, the opportunity and the duty to stand up and say no more.

In November, we have the responsibility to pass Proposition B. It is time for all of us to stand together to let the operators of puppy mills know they are no longer welcome in Missouri, that Missouri no longer wants to be known as the puppy mill capital of the world and that we will no longer stand for this abuse.

Please visit http://www.yesonpropb.com/ to find out what you can do to help!


Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Kitchen Project Part II

It's been a while since I have updated anything and wanted to let you, my dear reader, see what I have done with the kitchen. There is still a little work left to be done (the floor and a couple more shelves), but things are coming together beautifully. I love the new kitchen.