First Holiday Survey of Philadelphia Animal Shelters:
Local Group Releases Number of Dogs Needing Homes and
Urges Shoppers To Adopt Not Buy

December 19, 2007 – Philadelphia , PA – Local grassroots group "Reach Out for Animal Rights" (ROAR) surveyed local shelters and has identified that there are more than 370 homeless dogs waiting in city shelters – many of these dogs are sitting on "death row" as dozens of dogs are killed each week in Philadelphia.

On Saturday, members of ROAR and local residents will gather outside of Monster Pets, one of Philadelphia's largest pet store known to sell animals from puppy-mill suppliers, to display photos featuring homeless dogs in the city. In addition, holiday shoppers will be urged to bypass "buying" the "puppy in the window" and instead adopt one of the thousands of dogs desperately in need of homes at local shelters and rescues. 

What:              Homeless Dogs Promoted at Pet Store Demonstration

When:              Saturday, December 22, 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

Where:            Monster Pets, 1946 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia PA

According to Philadelphia Animal Care and Control (PACCA), the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA), and the Morris Animal Refuge, there are approximately 370 dogs awaiting homes.   PACCA, the city-funded shelter, is at capacity with dozens of dogs arriving every week.  Dogs who would otherwise have a chance of being adopted are being killed due to a lack of space.   Countless hundreds of additional dogs are in foster care with local rescue groups. 

Monster Pets purchases puppies from the largest puppy broker in the United States, Hunte Corporation.  Hunte has been cited multiple times by the United States Department of Agriculture for violations of the Animal Welfare Act and purchases puppies from high-volume breeders also known as puppy mills.
 
At these mills, puppies are taken from their mothers 8 weeks or younger and shipped to Hunte where they are consolidated to meet various pet stores' current purchasing needs.   The puppies are then shipped to order and trucked like merchandise to pet stores like Monster Pets.  During the life-threatening transport, puppies are commonly deprived of food and water and rarely given proper care.

"This holiday season our message is simple: Please ADOPT Don't Buy. We urge shoppers to share holiday goodwill with a dog at one of our local shelters – not only will you find the perfect friend and new member of your family, but you'll know that you are saving a precious life," says Rachel Ogden, ROAR spokesperson.   "With the hundreds of dogs available right now in city shelters and rescue groups for just about every breed, everyone will find a wonderful dog without contributing to the misery of the puppy-mill industry."

For more information, please visit www.BoycottMonsterPets.com.