Reprehensible actions

An important issue plaguing Arkansas is that of puppy mills. While this phrase sounds oh-so-cute, it is a living nightmare right here in the Natural State. Puppy mills breed dogs in inadequate conditions, causing defects, illness, and malnutrition. These puppy mills mass-breed animals at a low cost and sell the dogs for profit to pet stores.

Arkansas is among the top 10 states for puppy mills in the country, with an estimated 700 to 1,000 mills around the state. There is no legislation to prevent this atrocity, no excuse for our reprehensible actions.

The most well-rounded and effective solution would be to launch a three-pronged approach from all sides: a social media campaign to raise awareness and gain a following, a call to action from Arkansas to enable legislative change, and finally, promotion of adoption from animal shelters instead of buying from stores supplied by puppy mills. This would enact both preventative measures as well as reactionary consequences for offenders. With this, puppy mills could be a rarity rather than a regularity.

This is the moment to start. This is the moment we collectively decide to look at these statistics and say it’s too much. This is the moment Arkansas becomes a better place for all those who call it home, whether they have hands or paws. So, I plead to readers: Take to social media, contact your representatives, visit your local animal shelter—choose to effect real change today. JADE MA Mabelvale