Woo-HOO! Man, for those of you who have been under a rock the last 15 years, this is HUGE exposure for this cause. I mean, it's OPRAH. The same woman who ten years ago, did an expose on beef and mad cow (and said she'd never eat a hamburger again), and then got sued by the Cattlemen's Association because she's so influential! Unfortunately that whole thing also gave us Dr. Phil, but hey, ya gotta take the bitter with the sweet sometimes!

Posted by: BullyDawg | April 4, 2008 12:25 PM

People are sick for doing that to dogs. I think people who run puppy mills deserve to be stuck in a crate and driven insane. Dogs need love and to be taken care of. If people stopped breeding dogs like crazy and had their dogs fixed then there would be a much better chance of all the homeless dogs being adopted instead of put to sleep when no one wants them. Its so heartbreaking to live in a world with so much animal cruelty. People need more of a heart & more love towards animals.

Posted by: karla | April 4, 2008 12:43 PM

I wish she would do a programme on fur !! unless.. lest not she's a fur wearer herself.. [gulp!] which I was led to believe a while ago.. why this programme would be IDEAL!!.. her adoring fans are primarily women are they not? jsut Oprah to utter the words'.. 'hey women.. listen up.. lets' stop the suffering.. no more fur.. go faux.. ' she'd have them all scrabbling off to the nearest faux fur shop or hanidng in their furs as donation to the nearest animal charity org ..
PLS Oprah.. educate your fawning audience.. eps the women!!! NO MORE FUR!!! Fur is dated.. fur is last decades look.. fur is FAUX PAS !!

Posted by: yF | April 4, 2008 01:50 PM

This is huge.

Posted by: Jaclyn | April 4, 2008 02:39 PM

The AKC makes its money from puppy mill registrations.

And oh yes, they also sell microchips to puppy mills I just found out.

So the AKC opposes rules and laws for breeders to protect their puppy mill associates.

Puppy mills need to abuse dogs to decrease costs to profit the most, and AKC needs as many registration fees as possible.

So AKC says that breeders should be able to hide, not have licenses, not get inspected, not get vet treatment for their dogs.

What a business.

Any wonder the puppy mill situation goes on?

Posted by: kelly | April 4, 2008 02:45 PM

I think its great that Oprah is taking on the ugliness of puppy mills. They are disqusting. I have never bought a pet at a pet store...all my cats are shelter cats but I do have two purebred dogs....a Sheltie and a Havanese. There is nothing "wrong" with getting a purebreed...usually they cost so much that irresponsible owners would never spend that kind of money on a dog they didn't intend to take care of. As usual Peta takes things to far, that's why many people will not listen to what Peta has to say because they have no respect from the public when the public sees how they take everything way to far.

The AKC isn't the monster that its being portrayed as.

The States are the problem.....its a huge problem here in PA...we need to get those letters out to our state reps and show our outrage for the lack of laws they have regarding any type of animal abuse.

Don't forget to boycott those pet stores....I put fliers in places when I find one that sells puppies or kittens. I just leave the fliers in places in the store where other people will see them and realize the horror behind all those "cute" baby animals.

But please don't think that those of us who own purebred dogs are evil...for me, I wanted puppies and unfortunately puppies aren't easy to find at the shelters.

Do what you can to help the animals, but don't get all over what other people choose to do if they are responsible pet owners.

Sometimes Peta just goes to far for the average person to get behind the cause.

Posted by: Lexi | April 4, 2008 03:40 PM

I never watch Oprah but at least she is going to talk about this with Lisa Ling.
I also wish she would stop wearing fur.
But thank goodness this is getting the attention it so badly needs.

Posted by: Judith, Freedom Fighter for Animals | April 4, 2008 04:13 PM

I never watch Oprah because I am probably in the minority but I dont particularly like her. She is everywhere! I am so tired of seeing her on tv all the time. BUT I did watch this show because she does have a huge audience. It was a very sad show and I did have tears in my eyes. But that man who had the billboard put up so Oprah could see it really made me angry when he said that they have no problem with reputable breeders because his organization doesn't get their dogs. Any breeder, reputable or not still steals the chances of millions of dogs who are euthanized in shelters every year. The Humane Society is a good group but in some cases they promote hunting. I heard years ago that Oprah would give her friends fur coats for their birthdays. I hope she will rid her closets of furs and maybe PETA could send her some tapes of what happens to animals who are either bred on fur farms or trapped in the wild.

Posted by: Rex's Mom | April 4, 2008 04:42 PM

I think it is so sad that this is brought to attention now. Why not years and years ago. Just looking at the commercial for today's show was pathetic. The look of shock not only on Oprah's face but the audiences. How can people be so ignorant. I have no plans on watching her show as I was well educated on this brutality years ago. At least....finally, maybe this will push people to "wake up" and take action.

Posted by: Michelle | April 4, 2008 05:07 PM

I'm sorry but you cannot call yourself an 'animal lover' of which OW apparently does.. if you wear fur.. !! or is it she just likes fluffy cute spaniels and just dogs and coudln't care less about the poor foxes, and minx and raccoon dogs and all the ohters ? aferall..they're animals too?..aren't they?
Dear Oprah..
PLEASE WOULD you SHED the FUR??????
if you love animals (ie. all of them.. ) as you say you do.. you wouldn't support the ghastly brutal fur trade!

Posted by: lizc | April 4, 2008 05:36 PM

Knock knock! Hello Lexi! Anyone home??

Those pet store puppy mill puppies are often AKC registered.

And the puppy mill puppies are getting sold for often thousands of dollars.

And AKC people are in PA opposing rules for the puppy mills.

The AKC has puppy mill bloood on their hands. And they convince the weak and stupid to support their activities.

Posted by: kellyy | April 4, 2008 06:58 PM

To Lexi: You have a lot of nerve to write a comment on the Peta site. The two puppies you bought cost two dogs that were waiting to be adopted from a shelter their lives. So you are evil and irresposible. I work in a veterinarians office and everyday I see people who paid a whole lot of money for their purebred dogs who do not take care of their dogs or complain about the cost of veterinary care and opt out of vaccines, medication and other necessary veterinary care. I have also see irresponsible owners who buy their dogs only to give try to sell them, give them away or come in to have them euthanised just because they are not puppies anymore and are not cute. Or when the novelty wears off. With all the money that you spent on buying your dogs, you could have adopted a perfectly good dog from the shelter and donated the rest of the money to charity.

Posted by: Maile Aloha | April 4, 2008 07:03 PM

Oprah is a great woman, but not a great environmental or animal advocate.

I beleive that Martha Stuart is the real hero in that crowd. She has had many amazing articles about animal care in her magazine Living.

One article was about protecting your furniture - the article very eloquently stated why cats should NOT be declawed.

She also had ways to protect native birds, and other articles encourage people to adopt from shelters.

Oprah, sadly, is inconsistent, especially with the environmental movement. Her dynasty and magazine have been slow to change, and I think that if we examine closely, we will see many contradictions.

As Judith said, the fur is one of them. Not condemning it is the same as approving of it.

Posted by: Maya, CVT | April 4, 2008 07:04 PM

Lexi, while you are putting those flyers in pet stores that sell dogs and cats... please put them in stores that sell ANY kind of animal.

Those little furries, gerbils, hamsters, etc. and BIRDS are bred in mills as well. I am not sure about reptiles, are they mill-bred or mostly wild-caught? Either way is bad.

There are birds, little furries, reptiiles, ferrets...*every* kind of pet store animal is in a shelter and has a rescue devoted to their kind.

Those animals would appreciate your compassion also.

And you arent' looking very hard if you say puppies are not easy to find in shelters.

What shelters are you looking in , girl? They are mostly
puppies! Especially this time of year they are starting.

There are also those free sites like Craigslist just TEEMING with puppies. Open your eyes. You can get one free from there.

You don't find many PUREBREED puppies, but there are puppies galore in these places. Believe me.

Where are you looking?

Posted by: Tamara | April 4, 2008 07:41 PM

Oprah wears fur? NASTY

She'll still rule, in my book, if she doesn't wear fur. Sad.

Puppy Mills are depressing. I love the dogs at the shelter...I have been wanting to volunteer, but I'm worried I'd take them all home....crap, I should go anyway. :)

Posted by: HannaBanana | April 4, 2008 09:38 PM

Bullydawg, yF, Jaclyn, and Judith- you guys have summed up my thoughts on the issue.

Posted by: lynda downie | April 5, 2008 01:22 AM

I have never cried so much watching one of Oprahs shows. It's so great that she decided to show the nation what really happen in puppy mills. I just don't get it how people can do that to dogs, it's horrible. I really hope this episode will make a difference! I also agree with doing a show on fur, it's badly needed.

Posted by: Lindsay | April 5, 2008 01:54 AM

I dunno, I saw the Oprah piece. For some reason I think it was "glossed over". But maybe that is because those of us who deal with this or work against this everyday have seen the images and know what it looks like and what is going on.

I would like to hear the perspective of someone (other than Oprah) who didn't know much or anything about this.

There were some images I will never get out of my head though.

When the animal control officer walked the dog to the room for "euthanasia" God I hate the cutesy terms, it is *killing*, plain and simple. "PTS" is even worse.

Anyway when the dog got to the room he just stopped and refused to go in. I have read so many times the doomed dogs always do this. To see it was something different. :(

Also how they weighed the dog, muzzeled the dog, prepared the needle...

Then, according to the animal control officer, the dog's body was put in a "body bag"..

Excuse me, but those looked like TRASH BAGS to me, not "body bags"...

I have seen photos of piled up dogs not in bags, but to see a dog have to go through the process of being killed. That is something I will never forget.
:(

And really, I am one of the "lucky" ones, I don't have to see this or do this everyday...

Posted by: Tamara | April 5, 2008 09:29 AM

We need to make a law to stop pet mills and stop the pet stores taking in the pets and be [ay for doing it.

Posted by: Diana Hanson | April 5, 2008 09:55 AM

Its sickening. I live in Pennsylvania and did not realize there were puppy mills close by run by the Mennonite and Amish and others.
Thank You Oprah for taking up this cause. But dont stop with dogs and hamburger, Please stop wearing fur's, Oprah.

Posted by: Holly | April 5, 2008 01:05 PM

Do not get your hopes up about Oprah. She is not the slightest bit of an activist, her past has shown this. Remember that after she won the beef trial 10 years ago she let this industry on her show again twice WITHOUT presenting the opposing view. Her whole life is about completely NOT bucking the status quoa. She sticks to SAFE causes that does not infringe on the profits of other millionaires and billionaires like herself. Simply, there is so much that she does NOT care about, its pitiful.

Posted by: Gerry Ardigliano | April 5, 2008 01:49 PM

I created an account for myself on Oprah's website so I could mention just what you said, Kelly. I mentioned that she SHOULD have questioned where the papers come from and why the AKC fights mandatory spay/neuter.
I am glad she showed animals being euthanized due to overpopulation. This is what people need to see. I got into an argument with a coworker a few years ago because her cat was not neutered. I said she should have to spend a day killing animals, then maybe she would understand.

Posted by: kelley | April 5, 2008 05:25 PM

i watched that and it broke my heart.

Posted by: Lynn Ann Matthews | April 5, 2008 08:46 PM

this Oprah episode was beyond devastating!! when they showed the shelters and the dogs being put down, , I just bawled. That many dogs and cats being put down a year in a shelter, just horrible. why should the animals suffer and die because their ignorant owners did not get them Spayed/neutered?

Posted by: carolyn | April 5, 2008 09:31 PM

It is great that Oprah finally did a show on the abuse behind puppy mills. But there is so much more. Since she is a dog lover I often wonder why she hasn't done a show on animal testing (vivisection), the fur industry, abuse in circuses, or the abuse behind factory farming. The thing is that people have not seen pictures or videos on these issues. If Oprah showed these pictures and videos on these subjects, a lot of people would be in shock. Some people just ignore these issues and pretend that it doesn't exist so they could go on contributing to the problem. BUT IT DOES EXIST...all over the country. We should cherish all animals on this earth. After all, IT IS JUST "US AND THEM".

Posted by: Stefany Calkins | April 6, 2008 08:22 AM

THANK YOU! I have been waiting for something like this to arise. I worked at a pet store which bought from puppy mills, EVERYTHING SAID AND MORE IS TRUE ABOUT PET STORES, and this needed to be heard nation wide, aswell as internationally. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Posted by: Christine | April 6, 2008 01:31 PM

I hope she does a follow-up show or more, to see what effect this info had on the people looking for a best friend. I, ofcourse, think shelters are the best place to go. God bless her & the guy on the show for doing Something !

Posted by: Alan Serlin | April 6, 2008 05:43 PM

You go girl!!

Posted by: silvia | April 6, 2008 07:23 PM

I thought I'd never say this, but THANK GOD for Oprah. xD

Posted by: Ginger | April 7, 2008 08:35 AM

I watched the program and cried as well. I work at my local SPCA and can relate to the situation. However it is not fair to attack people with purebred dogs. You can not blame people who have their own children when there are so many children in need of homes and love (some of whom may die due to your choice). How can you enjoy a snack when you know there are people who are starving to death while you eat? You have to draw the line somewhere.Unless you work every moment to give to others what you have you can not call others evil for chosing a purebred dog. Yes I think people should adopt from shelters but purebred dogs are not the major issue here. It is people not spaying or neutering their pets and overall not giving a damn about animal welfare.It is people who dump their pooch at a shelter for an accident in the house or simply because they are bored. I know plenty of people with purebred and shelter dogs.

Posted by: Annalena | April 7, 2008 12:08 PM

Annalena, hi there! ;)

I don't think that purebred dog owners are the issue, I think it is more where they get them from.

The shelter I worked at, like most shelters, had 30 to 40 percent purebreds and there are dozens of breed rescues where one can adopt a purebred.

Sadly people would come in and ignore mixed cats and dogs because they were gaga over the purebreds, given up by breeders and people who adopted from breeders but got bored with the pet or moved and couldn't keep them any more.

Out of 7,000 cats at our shelter, more than half were euthanized - and those 50 to 60 percent represented all the stray cats. Not one single stray cat was adopted from our shelter.

That's because people could not resist the siamese, persian, maine coon, all adopted at the shelter, leaving the mixed breeds and strays to be destroyed.

The original shelters were for stray cats and dogs, sadly now they are dumping grounds for breeders and folks who own purebreds but don't want them any more.

So if someone has a purebred from a shelter or breed rescue, of course we love them! And I'm sure PETA loves them too! We just wish that people would stop breeding them and dumping them at shelters so that the poor strays would get a chance of being adopted.

;) Peace! ;)

Posted by: Maya, CVT | April 7, 2008 01:29 PM

WHEN I SAW THE OPRAH SHOW AND THEY SAID THE AMISH WAS THE WORST OF THE WORST WITH THE PUPPY MILL I NEARLY FELL OFF OF THE SOFA. I USE TO GO TO LANCASTER TO THE AMISH STORES I EVEN HAD RESERVATIONS FOR MOTHERS DAY WEEKEND TO A B&B. I CALLED AND CANCELED AND TOLD THEY WHY. EVERYBODY SHOULD DOYCOTT LANCASTER TILL THEY CLOSE THEM DOWN AND GET THOSE POOR DOGS OUT OF THERE

Posted by: Linda Marx | April 7, 2008 02:18 PM

Annalena, people who BREED AND TORTURE DOGS TO MAKE MONEY are a very big problem (those are puppy mills!), and anyone who buys from pet stores or online is SUPPORTING THAT TORTURE.

There is something very wrong with those people!

Posted by: kelly | April 7, 2008 02:42 PM

After adopting a dog that was rescued from a puppy mill in Missouri I am so grateful that Oprah did that show. I could barely watch with tears running down my face. Waking up in the middle of the night thinking about all those horrible people running those awful inhumane places. Those poor animals. Why aren't they illegal? I don't understand.

Posted by: Carla Pinnelli-Marsh | April 7, 2008 03:11 PM

Hello Kelly and Mya.
I agree with you.
Puppy Mills are deplorable! I do not think that anyone should ever buy from a pet store with live animals(have you seen the fish tanks with wire bottoms with puppies in them at Pet Land?)However not all breeders are worthy of condemnation. There are breeders who are very dedicated to all their dogs. Yes breeding is mostly our human vanity but I do not think every breeder is money crazed and insensitive.Maya I know what you mean about shelters. Many people come in looking for a pretty purebred only to return them next week. There are plenty of delightful dogs and cats that are just as nice as the purebreds in my shelter with fantastic personalities.My sweet pooch is a mixed fellow.Dog shows can also be rather sad, I hate seeing the dogs treated like ornaments!

Posted by: Annalena | April 7, 2008 05:12 PM

Annalena: They don't euthanize children without homes just because they are homeless. And as for not eating because there are people who are starving is stupid. So we should all starve to death?
If you really do work at your local SPCA you should know better than anyone that NOONE should every buy a dog or cat.
And if someone is looking for a purebreed that they are available at their local shelter. There is a rescue organization for every breed of dog or cat.
Every dog that is bought from a breeder, puppy mill or pet store is a death sentence to a dog waiting at shelter to be adopted.

Posted by: Maile Aloha | April 7, 2008 06:11 PM

I know nobody usually reads this far down on the posts but... I really appreciated Oprah's piece about puppy mills. For somebody who may not have known a great deal about puppy mills, adoption, spay/neuter, and similar issues, it was absolutely great. I would describe myself as a hardened animal rights person - I've seen all of the videos and some firsthand experience with very sad animal abuse/neglect situations and even I was bawling when they euthanized two dogs on air. For the general public to see something like that is extremely thought provoking. And she went beyond just adopting - they advocated for adopting the old and ugly, the limping and injured. Yay to Oprah for the great work. And everybody, please, adopt and snip!!!

Posted by: Veronica | April 7, 2008 08:45 PM

Hello,

I watched the show on friday. I was so choked. It's so digusting to see so many dogs suffering. I cried. I told to myself that I can't change the situation. But I can make a difference. I've decided to give few hours per week to a wonderfull shelter.

I was so sad to learn that almost 99% of puppies sold in petshop come from that horrible factory. I won't encourage petshop anymore.

Sorry my english is not my mother langage...

nancy

Posted by: nancy | April 7, 2008 10:46 PM

Oprah may not be an activist or a true animal lover (at least in my opinion), but at least she educates those that are ignorant to the world. I was suprised by how many of my friends said they were shocked by what they saw on the Oprah special. They had NO IDEA puppy mills existed. (I wondered how they were MY friends) After I got over THAT shock, I was happy to hear they had been educated. Even though it made me cringe a little that it came from the Big O, I know they will never buy from a pet shop. Oprah, despite her faults, can do great things by just getting a word out. She is a motivator to the unmotivated. I don't know how she does it; she is able to move people and make them think. If she has motiviated (or even just educated) ONE person from her special on Puppy Mills, then that is enough. I believe that one person can make a difference. And maybe that person happened to be watching Ophrah. And maybe they decided after seeing what she had to show, they wanted to DO something. Maybe they become the ONE person that brings this cruelty to an end. They are the person that bring a true victory to those that can't fight for themselves. Or maybe just one couple decides to save a soul at a shelter rather than buying from a Pet Shop. That is enough. At least Oprah did SOMETHING. (now if only we can get her on the anti fur bandwagon).

Keep on hoping and speaking and fighting for those that can't....and if Oprah has joined the fight...so be it. There are worse things that could happen.

--this post is in memory of Karma....a beautiful, loving, Pit Bull who was adopted at the age of 2 months and died of Juvenile Lymphoma at 1 1/2 years old. :( RIP Ladybug! --

Posted by: Karma | April 7, 2008 11:17 PM

Maile Aloha
I am not advocating the purchase of purebreds simply because people like the look of the breed.No the children are not euthanized but they may suffer an even worse fate of neglect,abuse or starvation. Should no new children be brought into the world until all of the orphans are adopted. Someone may die from bloodloss because somebody else did not donate blood when they could (same for organs, marrow etc). Would you call these people murderers? Yes I do work at my local shelter and am horrified daily by what I see.It is hard to take but seeing dogs adopted makes it worthwhile.There is a difference between a puppy mill and a breeder who raises the pups in a warm bed at home, breeds the dogs only when they are about two years, and secures a safe home for all the pups. I encourage everyone to love a shelter animal if they want a companion. I am saying that we should NOT starve or sacrafice everything. The world is so tangled that many actions can have a negative cost without intention, such as a dog being euthanized instead of adopted.And people should make themselves aware of this situation before running over to a breeder.Again I advocate adoption! My own canine companion was an abused shelter puppy. He was traumatized from being locked in a dark basement with little food or interaction for his early life. I despise nothing more than an irresponsible owner. People need to start spaying and neutering and putting some effort into their relationship with an animal. Last week a poodle was dropped off because the family was having their house fixed up and did not want the decor and furniture ruined. Another family brought in a baby dachshund because it did not toilet train as quickly as they wanted. An animal is no small trifle that can simply be discarded. I truly am horrified by beautiful cats and dogs being euthanized.To see them tossed away in garbage bags is horrifying.

Posted by: Annalena | April 8, 2008 11:34 AM

;) Hi Annalena!

Absolutely, and yours sounds like a wonderful doggie home! Aren't mixed breeds the best?

The main problem with any breeder, even really responsible ones, is that there is no way to predict who might give up their purebred to a shelter one day.

Some breeders don't neuter the pets before they sell them. When I worked for the MSPCA people would had me the paperwork from the breeder they bought it from. The contract would say to neuter the pet, and the owner who was now giving up the cat or dog clearly broke the agreement.

I would regularly see purebreds given up with litters, even though the breeder blindly trusted people to neuter the pet.

Even without a litter, people who buy from breeders and surrender pets to the shelter are dooming another cat or dog to death - I've seen people actually fight over the last purebred dog or cat even though we had over 150 mixed breeds waiting for homes.

You are one of the very responsible pet owners, so I'm sure you know what I mean.

;) Peace to you and your companions! ;)

Posted by: Maya, CVT | April 8, 2008 12:08 PM

Could you please sign this petition to stop puppy mills on Care 2?
Thank you all so much.
http:/www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/460678104

Thank you all so very much,
Judith

Posted by: Judith, Freedom Fighter for Animals | April 8, 2008 05:39 PM

Annalena: I work in a vets office, I deal with breeders all the time. Most do not wait until after 2 years to breed their dogs and do not secure safe homes for the puppies. They want to breed in the first heat cycle so they can start selling puppies and make money. Good for you for working at a shelter to help homeless dogs and cats find good homes and for the loving home that you provide for your dog. We view breeders differently. I deal with them on a daily basis where they vaccinate puppies to early to add on to the price selling price and try to dictate and overide the doctors medical decisions for the puppies. Most people who buy puppies from breeders, puppy mills and pet stores usually don't do any research on the breed they are buying and after a year or less and after the novelty has worn off or when the dog turns out not to be of the personality or temperment that they expected will bring the dog in to have it euthanized. And yes, maybe population control of humans would be a good idea as well as dogs and cats. Every purebreed dog that a breeder sells is a death sentence for a dog waiting to be adopted.

Posted by: Maile Aloha | April 8, 2008 06:27 PM

I, too, saw Oprah's show and since have had only sleepless nights thinking about these neglected and abused animals. Amazingly, I had never heard of puppy mills.Now I ask myself what can I do to immediately impact this corrupt and horribly inhumane business. I know it is a small beginning but I have begun sending out emails to friends informing them of this issue and I will begin volunteering at my local shelter.Let us all do what we can to put an end to these hideous practices.

Posted by: Julia Lanphar | April 8, 2008 08:58 PM

Well, hallelujah, the Queen of Talk finally did a show on puppy mills. Animal rights activists have only been BEGGING her to do this for years. What took so long? And for the record, why did she buy three pure bred (Golden Retrievers I believe) from a BACKYARD BREEDER?!? She introduced the three puppies on her opening show in 2005. I've been disgusted by her ever since, but this makes up for it -- a little. She needs to more, and more often. If Oprah loves animals so much with all her money, she should start a spay/neuter program nationally for low income people. She's good at giving away other people's money (namely corporations) other than her own. She did a good thing on the puppy mill show, but I don't trust her. She's a phony hypocrite.

Posted by: April | April 8, 2008 10:41 PM

I agree with Ms. Lanphar - Oprah needs to stick her neck out further. Perhaps if she'd make a visit to the Amish people and see it first hand and not on video she might get off of her couch and do some very real good.

Posted by: Jayne | April 10, 2008 05:00 PM

It's ridiculous how these dogs and puppies are treated... It's ridiculous how they don't get fresh food and water.. and those that are hurt or are suffering from diseases... Humans aren't like this, so animals shouldn't either... I hope these dogs and puppies get treated better and not get killed after the dogs breed.

Posted by: Ji | April 17, 2008 07:58 AM

this is sooo big!! my mother(an animals eater, god :-P) she never listens to me when i tell her about this kinda stuff goin on in the world, she says PETA is being over dramatic, and not 2 listen to them(which of course, i do) but once OPRAH says somthing, she'll deffenitly listen, shes an oprah finnatic

Posted by: gen-gen | April 17, 2008 12:30 PM

Hey, Maya CVT, not all small animals are bred in mills. Ok, the ones in petsmart are! But small locally run pet stores take very good care of their small animals, like this store near me caller herpetan, and this other store called Zookeeper localy breeds their small animal and hey are taken very good care of, also, to kelly, it is not OVER doing it by saying NOT to breed or buy at all, cuz your 2 purebred dogs cost 2 mutts their life, and it seems like you don't even care.

Posted by: Rachel | April 17, 2008 05:47 PM

so what's up here huh why hasn't someone done something about the puppy mill issue? you guys are worried about eating meat and millions of dogs are getting abused and sold in pet stores nation wide!!! I am 21 from fort myers florida and i wanna help change this industry that has been conveniently overlooked for far to long!! Kyle DeGroot. one person can only change them self but but people can change the world!

Posted by: KaDillac | April 17, 2008 08:12 PM

OH MY GOSH! Finally! Now if only she'll do a show on Chicago's bad Pit Bull problem.

Posted by: Pit Bull Protector | April 18, 2008 12:34 AM

That's cool that Oprah aired that on her show, but why can't she do that for ther animals? Remember, one of her favorite things is...
"SCARFS FROM BURBERREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY"...and we all know how they treat their minx!

Posted by: MeL | April 18, 2008 09:09 AM

dear oprah this puppy mill shit is bad and needs to be stopped thanks for helping peta and just to let everyone kno is that after i saw peta for the first time i have stopped eating meat and became a vegitarian and now everytime i see meat i get really sick so thanks again oprah your my girl for helpin PETA

love ya

Posted by: christina warren | April 18, 2008 03:02 PM

Those who run the puppy mills should be ashamed of themselves, what makes humans think they have the right to treat animals this way. The conditions they live in are inhumane and horrid, those poor animals.

Posted by: Meg 1409 | April 22, 2008 07:57 PM

I was very happy to see that Oprah was shedding light on the horrible things that take place in puppy mills. However, my husband and I tried to adopt a dog from Main Line Animal Rescue (the rescue facility that was featured on the show). We were informed that we lived too far away from their site to adopt one of their dogs...only 30 miles! We were saddened to not be able to help one of these animals and discouraged that they are not willing to work with people in order to find good homes for their animals...which we would have provided.

Posted by: La | April 22, 2008 09:35 PM

oprah you say you are an animal lover but you wear FUR...........................

Posted by: Joanne Adams | April 23, 2008 09:20 AM

I'm so glad that puppy mills are finally getting the negative attention they deserve. It's about time!! But what I really don't like is when someone leaves a comment on this site and someone else has the guts to criticize what they say. Everyone should be able to have their own opinion on the subject. Isn't that what us animal activists are asking for, the right to state our own opinion?

Posted by: Krystal | April 23, 2008 01:09 PM

Finally, a famous isn't all talk about doing something good for the world. I <3 Oprah =D

Posted by: Sarah Schachtel | April 25, 2008 01:05 PM

bottom line. like her or not. at least light is shine on where your furbaby comes from. your choice is to adopt to clean up after irresponsible people or pay big bucks and buy from a rep. breeder. if you choose the latter meet the sellers and the parents on premise- not pet stores.

Posted by: alicia k | April 26, 2008 12:10 AM

Oprah should consider all Animal Cruelty including those performed by her staff and those people she features on her show. Take for example the experiments of Mehmet Oz, vice chair of surgery and professor of cardiac surgery at Columbia University. DiscoveryChannel.com featured Dr. Oz in a series called "Second Opinion" in which Dr. Oz's philosophies on health are discussed. Dr. Oz is also a frequent guest on Oprah's show and is featured on Oprah.com. Dr. Oz practices yoga routinely, and he believes that "anger and stress management are keys to his wellness." Reading the records of the tormented dogs used in Dr. Oz's cruel heart experiments is enough to send anyone fleeing to the nearest anger-management group.

Good thing Oprah's Sophie was privileged and did not end up as one of Dr Oz's experiments.

Columbia University Fined for Cruel Puppy Killings
Main Feature > Dogs' Records

Oz Dog # 6313
Day 1: Surgery-sternotomy (an incision in the center of the chest that allows access to the heart) and RF ablation (radio frequency ablation, which is a non-surgical treatment for abnormal heart rhythms in which a long wire is passed into the heart) for Protocol AAAA 024-200 1. Read more.

Oz Dog # 6269
This dog's chest was surgically opened and radio frequency ablation was done. The day after the surgery, records show that she was able to walk, but the misery was just beginning ... Read more.

Oz Dog # 6406
Twenty-nine days of pain and suffering awaited this dog after her chest was opened to expose her heart for radio frequency ablation. Read more.

Posted by: Melissa | April 26, 2008 04:20 PM

Hey I wanted to use part of this segment for a speech im doing for a class, and I dont know how to download it so I can hook my comp up to the TV, can anyone help me??????

Posted by: Megan | April 26, 2008 06:06 PM

Great video, but why is there a link at the end for helppuppies.com. I go to that site thinking I'll be donating to prevent this outrage and there is another link to an online puppy marketplace. This must be some mistake - can someone look into this please!

Posted by: picasso | April 26, 2008 07:35 PM

My question is, if everyone quits buying the puppys from the pet stores, what happens to all those dogs & puppys at the Puppy Mills?? We have to think of how we could save & recue them. I cryed my eyes out watching Oprah. And I will do something to help!

Posted by: Cindy Stafford | April 27, 2008 07:52 PM

EVERYONE please urge the Oprah show to re-air the puppy mill story and please contact any media personnel you can to further encourage viewers to watch. Thanks so much!!

Posted by: madeline v | April 28, 2008 12:15 PM

maybe one reason why Oprah wont' (presuming) wont' speak out agianst the fur trade or factory farming and all the ohter ills of mistreatment to animals is that she doesn't want to 'make enemies'.. can you imagien the scenario of public outcry over the fur trade and all women decreeing never to buy furs agian form anywhere for that matter.. why the fur trade in USA coudl or would possibly collapse overnight .. or near to.. and who woudl all these furriers.. or battery egg farms farmers etc etc.. be pointing their fingers and blaming.. yes.. yours truly.. my point is.. there is GREAT INUSTICE in the animal world and they are suffering terriby.. even right now as I type these words out.. in the fur farms in the factory farms.. in zoos/circuses.. I could go on and on..
for them.. and end cease their suffering I would say ot Oprah.. it would be more htan well worth it.. for their sakes.. but I find her shows tned to be very self-centered.. ie. self-improvement.. self-betterment.. self-growing awareness.. self .. self.. self.. everything.. it's all very self-centered (human) oriented..
she wields a lot of power.. being chatshow show queen and queen of hte airways not to mention most of her ardent fans are women..
she could do a one programme on 'how you can help reduce animals suffering by every day choices/lifestyle changes and awareness workshop.. '
now wouldn't that be great programme rather than her usual run of the mill .. 'how to imporve myself more'.. how to raise my spirituality more.. how to better myself.. etc. etc.... (yawn)..

Posted by: lizbeth | April 28, 2008 05:09 PM

Hi!! I have an other probleme then poppy mills. Is the no kill shelters ( dont get me wrong I'm all for it ). But I dont understand why one persone can play god with little dog lives ?????? I have adopted An "Unadoptable" dog from a shelter. they saved the lives of a lot of Distemper infected puppies.. All the dogs where left with severe neurological problemes, and clasifed as NOT ADOPTABLE but kept in the shelter to live the rest of there lifes in cages and filth..Those dogs are and where abuse in that shelter, forgoten and unloved. It took a severe intervention to get some of those dogs out to find them good homes ( I adopted one of them a year ago and and I've never seen a little dog so sad and scared of people ( she lived in the shelter 3 years from the time she was found at 9 weeks old ) It took one year for her to trust anyone, now she is a change little dog and has formed a personality that makes lots of people laugh... That shelter as lots of UNADOPTABLE DOGS that lives in bad conditions and are abused on a dayly basis.. Where do we draw the line for Unadoptable dogs and where do I go to stop it ????

Posted by: Louise moreau | May 2, 2008 12:50 PM

Who the hell would do something like that. I think its so disgusting to do that to the pore dogs, I think all the people who do this should be treated the same way and we will see how they fell

Posted by: Cody | May 3, 2008 07:41 PM

Louise,

Hello. I'm not sure I understand the situation you're talking about - are you a volunteer there? It sounds weird that the shelter would have sick dogs on the adoption floor.

If the shelter is filthy, and they are keeping sick dogs and refusing to treat them, they should be reported immediately.

Call your town mayor (you can get the phone number from Information) and ask him where to report a shelter that is abusing its animals. They might tell you to call the animal cruelty office, or there may be some other resource like public health.

Our local animal cruelty officers don't do a very good job, they don't seem to care. So be prepared to try other things if this does not work out.

Good luck, let us know what happens!

Posted by: Maya, CVT | May 4, 2008 04:54 PM

Lizbeth: VERY well-said and 100% accurate too. I noticed this myself but was unable to sum in the wise manner that you did. The top two ways in which blacks are victimized is #1: diet related diseases #2 black-on-black crime. Oprah does NOT do shows on ANY of this, she is not even concerned about the worst ways her own people are perishing. When she won the beef trial she went out of her way to be nice to this "industry" by inviting them back on her show TWICE to make amends to undue the harm they received. Oprah is the type who has to be in a wheelchair in terminal condition before she acts on a cause that is 100% altruistic. I am not saying that she is actively no-good or rotten, but very shallow like her audience.

Posted by: Gerry Ardigliano | May 11, 2008 12:32 PM

things are gone from bad to worst, not only to dogs but all sorts of animals.these cruel doing to animlas such as killin them for fur or meat or some other crap, is totally insane!
animals should be treated with love and care,not just get a pet for the sake of getting a pet,thats just irresponsible and so many unworthy reasons.WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF ANIMALS!!!!THEY ARE VERRRYYYYYY IMPORTANT!!!!(DUHH)

Posted by: fabulous | May 12, 2008 02:06 AM

this is huge!!! many have gone unknown for a long time!!! i don't have dogs but i love them!!!! we should stop this!!

Posted by: animal activist | May 13, 2008 01:34 PM

When I heard about puppy mills.. my heart weeped. What kind of person could physically and mentally harm poor animals! Why is there no law! I've had a animal with abuse they're just like our children. If I found out whoever hurt her I would love to see her/him in jail. Plus the animals physical and mental abuse will always stay with them the only help is through therapy.
THIS IS A CRIME!

Posted by: Heather | May 16, 2008 05:53 PM

Many comments are against the people who breed mills dogs...that is INSANE to use the dogs to make desesperatelly money abusing and torturing them...BUT WHAT ABOUT THE LAW ? WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO MANAGE THE LAW IN EACH STATE ? we often heard that people are taken to jail because animal abuse...but...where is the law for industries creating dogs mills each second...and there are not in secret when stores are sellings the dogs...is not that action an ABUSE bacause is producing money? THOSE INDUSTRIES BIG OR SMALL NEED TO BE DISCOVERED AND PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF THE ACTION ABUSING DOGS IN ORDER TO MAKE MONEY..

WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN?

Posted by: Juan Maravilla | May 18, 2008 07:02 PM

Puppy mills are so evil and should end for eternitiy!!!
You go Oprah!!!

Posted by: Emma | May 21, 2008 01:51 PM

I was sick when I saw wait tey are doing to the dogs.

Posted by: claireabbazio | May 29, 2008 05:18 PM

My son answered a classified ad in our local paper, The Free-Lance Star, in Fredericksburg Virginia for "FREE Beagles". Just a telephone number was listed. He called, left his phone number, was called back by this person. He was given the address of the "free" beagles. He and his girlfriend drove out to the address, it was in Westmoreland County Virginia. It was a raining day. Conditions were horrible. The "free" beagles were out in the rain in small cages in mud with straw. The dogs stayed outside, not much for cover, I think he said maybe igloos. The dog they went for was a three year female, they were told by the owners son that "Paw don't want to get rid of her yet". Another words, she was still good for breeding!

Chris did get a older female. When he walk by her cage she start barking and stratching at the sides like she was saying take me, take me. He took her, pretty sure if he didn't she would have been destroyed because she was no longer useful for breeding. She was used up!

Her new name is Betsy. She is a dear. Her teeth are bad. She has a tumor on one of her mammorary glands. She has a bad cough. She had to have 10 days of antibiotics, she did test negative for heartworm and Lyme disease, thank God. She had to have a bath ASAP, the mud and the muck just poured off of her, she didn't complain, she just licked Chris' hands and face as to say thanks. Now, she had to learn how to walk up the stairs. She learned real fast how to jump on the couch to sleep. She loves her walks. She wags her tail. Who says she was used up?

So if the Westmoreland Police are reading this, you have work to do. If the Westmoreland Animal Conrol are reading this, go get them, they have about 40 more beagles there. They are in horrible conditions! The animals deserve better than this and the people of Westmoreland do not need this kind cruelty in their county!

Posted by: Donna Rogers | May 31, 2008 10:20 AM

KUDOS to Oprah.
All I want to add is these people that run or are involved in any way, are ill& inhumane & what goes around comes around.

Please click onto theanimalrescuesite.com &.care2.com-sites the clicks are free and this supports rescues & shelters. Also check out www.pawsribbonrally.org
THANKS pawsitively fury much!!

Posted by: L.Bourne | June 3, 2008 04:49 PM

Dear Oprah, I was appalled about the puppy mill show which viewed today in Townsville, Australia. Puppy mills cannot operate here as we have the R.S.P.C.A. that do not allow it.The disgusting conditions & inhumane treatment of these poor crearures could get perpetrators of these crimes against innocent animals fines of $75,000 or 2 years jail. I was so saddened by what I saw that I cried like a baby & I thank god there are caring people who were on your show that are trying so hard to help these dogs. I am astonished though that in this day & age authorties are allowing this barbaric behavior to happen.To those good samaritans out there,keep up the good work & Oprah keep showing the world what saddists these people are.
Katrina,Australia

Posted by: katrina houghton | June 3, 2008 11:41 PM

I live in NSW Australia and am a breeder of Jack Russell Terriers. I watched your show today 4th June and was absolutely horrified at what I saw. We are campaining here in Australia to stop exactly the same thing but compared to your country on thankfully a much smaller scale. Here we call them puppy farmers. Thankfully in the 12years I have been breeding, which I might add is on a very small scale as I only breed to upgrade my own show stock, I no exactly where all the puppies I have sold are and their owners keep me informed of their wellbeing with Xmas cards and photos every year. Keep up the good work you have a great following over here. Regards Lorraine.

Posted by: Lorraine Freund | June 3, 2008 11:45 PM

Dear Oprah.
Hi,I am a 12 year old girl and live in south africa. For theese past week I have Trying too get every dog off the street!and the show was my breaking point. I was so devestated and realy dont known why they even let theese puppy mills is aloud. in africa here no puppy mills but just alot of animals that are the streets.I realy dont known what to do ,so can trie to help me save most of the animals in need here in africa.Regardes Carien Oosthuizen.

Posted by: Carien Oosthuizen | June 30, 2008 06:10 PM

hi oprah

what a sad day for me - sad dogs so hurt and the look in their eyes. Those people need
to be stopped. please help america i'm here in south africa so far but never to late to help thx oprah please do it every month on your show thx oprah sophia xx

Posted by: SOPHIA GELDERBLOM | July 15, 2008 08:11 AM

Hi, I am a dog groomer and through the last few years i have seen the popularity of these xbreed pups increase. Sadly the result being puppy farming also bad breeding practices. Dogs that have bad jaws and joints being bred with others also in some cases related dogs. Money money money and fashion seem to be the ruler at this time. when people come in with dogs that are poor in form we tell the owners to reconsider breeding and explain why. What makes a great and loving pet does not always make a good sire. P.s so many great pets end up in pounds also they would love a second chance at happiness. So stop the crazed money breeding . Think twice everyone.

Posted by: Vic | July 17, 2008 09:48 AM

Oprah ROX... And Anyone who wants to help animals is Welcome!!!!!!!

Posted by: Ezequiel | July 18, 2008 05:39 PM

Oprah makes me smile, but this makes me still very sick and mad. it shouldn't be like this. this is insanity, how can people get away with this, over and over again? have people no hearts? I wish every animal had harmony in their life. and will do anything I can to help as much as I can to make their lives more joyful. this isn't life, it's prison made by humans! join us in the fight and don't loose your patient, we got a long road to walk.. but I'm not hesitating... no way!

Posted by: jessie | September 14, 2008 03:01 PM

I will never buy a puppy or dog from a puppy mill. I actually would love to adopt all cats and dogs who need homes, but I realize I cannot do that. I support many humane societies and helpers of animals. I truly like animals more than most people. They are so grateful for whatever love is given to them and are such wonderful companions. I took a Chihuahua puppy from a friend of mine that could no longer care for her. We love that dog soooo very much. If we had not taken her who knows what would have happened to her. I have seen some of the terrible things occurring at the puppy mills and it absolutely makes me sick. I wish there was a way to close all illicit puppy mills close. I heard on Oprah today that one owner of a puppy mill shot 80 of his dogs because they were ordered to have flea control. How sick is that? I believe these people that have these type of puppy mills are very evil people and who knows what they may do to human beings. Anyway I can help to close a puppy mill I will be more than happy to help.

I do support a group called Best Friends in Utah that takes all unwanted and special needs animals and has a no-kill policy. These animals will live there happily even if they do not get adopted. Thank you for letting me vent as I believe all animals should have a good loving home.

Posted by: cheryl albright | September 25, 2008 11:19 PM

just to even think about harming these animals is just plain Disgusting!!!!!! how can they live with themselves! Someone should do that to them!!!

Posted by: kyle | November 18, 2008 12:51 PM

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah does NOT take all animals

They turn animals away every day!!

No Kill is a fake

Posted by: kelly | November 24, 2008 03:13 PM

Your life is worth living.

Posted by: mrjugger | December 2, 2008 02:33 PM