Other types of Advocacy

A friend of mine was in a suburban mall recently and told me he saw a pet store selling small dogs. He mentioned the dogs were in relatively small cages, and that the store was asking nearly $1,000 for the dogs. He asked the young clerks where the dogs came from, but they didn’t know. Rather than pursue it further, he decided to leave, but vowed never to shop not only at the store, but at that mall again.

It reminded me that advocacy can go beyond the political arena. We can effectively advocate with our pocketbooks, and through our actions (or inaction!). A few suggestions:
Check out the numerous businesses that have a strong working relationship with Pet Haven. These businesses donate their time, space, and resources to help the rescue animals that come through Pet Haven’s “doors” and should be rewarded with our business!

Plymouth Animal Hospital
Auntie Ruth's Doggie Daycare
Bloomington Veterinary Hospital
PetCo Stores
Downtown Dogs
The Canine Coach
Northwood Valley Kennels
Doubletree Hotel, St. Louis Park
Foxridge Printing
Chuck & Don's Stores
Lake Harriet Veterinary Clinic
Pampered Pooch Playground

I also recently visited Woody’s Pet Food Deli in Minneapolis. They give a 10% discount to owners of rescue animals, and 15% to active volunteers!

Be wary pet stores that sell cats and dogs. While I certainly don’t want to make a blanket statement that all pets sold at pet stores come from puppy or kitten mills, there is a lot of evidence to support that statement. At the very least, speak to a manager or owner, and ask about where the pets come from, and make them be specific! And, even if you’re not there to purchase an animal, patronizing a store that may support kitten and puppy mills just makes it that much easier for the store to continue supporting that awful practice.

Suggest to friends and family who mention they are looking for a new pet to consider adoption. In addition to Pet Haven, there are numerous organizations, even ones that specialize in certain breeds that always have more animals than homes for them.

What else do folks suggest?