Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Newsweek Magazine Article
Just thought I'd share this article I just read in this weeks Newsweek magazine.
By Suzanne Smalley | NEWSWEEK
Published Jul 11, 2009
From the magazine issue dated Jul 20, 2009
Bill Smith has dedicated his life to fighting "puppy mills," the warehouses where dogs are raised for profit in tiny cages, denied sufficient medical care, and often killed when they get sick or can no longer breed. Smith noticed that many of the farms around his shelter facility, near the heart of puppy-mill country in Lancaster County, Pa., were displaying signs boasting that they were organic dairy operations. Smith found that one mill—B&R Puppies, which had been cited by authorities as recently as a year ago for housing dogs in squalid cages and failing to vaccinate them—was also supplying milk to Horizon Organics. Horizon is a major presence in markets like Whole Foods, where animal welfare is paramount.
My April article, "A (Designer) Dog’s Life," highlighted Smith's efforts. Before NEWSWEEK published the story, I notified Horizon and Whole Foods that my piece would reveal they were buying and peddling organic milk from a farmer who mistreated dogs. Horizon sent an inspector to B&R the next day and found dogs living in filth. The company suspended the farmer, John Stoltzfus, who has since dismantled his dog-breeding operation, according to Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture records. That allowed him to resume supplying Horizon, which he began doing earlier this month.
Smith demanded that Whole Foods send several hundred vendors a letter warning of repercussions for inhumane dog breeding. In mid-May, the grocery chain issued a stern request that vendors "not supply any products to our stores that have been sourced from farmers…who breed or raise dogs inhumanely." Smith says the Whole Foods letter was a "huge step" forward because "consumers have always had the power to close these facilities."
Smith is now focused on getting other companies to do the same; this week he makes his plea in a full-page ad in The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Inquirer, whose publisher adopted a dog from Smith's shelter, gave Smith the ad space for almost nothing. "If other companies follow Whole Foods' lead, farmers everywhere who are operating puppy mills as side businesses will either clean up their acts or stop breeding dogs altogether," Smith says. He'll make sure of it.
By Suzanne Smalley | NEWSWEEK
Published Jul 11, 2009
From the magazine issue dated Jul 20, 2009
Bill Smith has dedicated his life to fighting "puppy mills," the warehouses where dogs are raised for profit in tiny cages, denied sufficient medical care, and often killed when they get sick or can no longer breed. Smith noticed that many of the farms around his shelter facility, near the heart of puppy-mill country in Lancaster County, Pa., were displaying signs boasting that they were organic dairy operations. Smith found that one mill—B&R Puppies, which had been cited by authorities as recently as a year ago for housing dogs in squalid cages and failing to vaccinate them—was also supplying milk to Horizon Organics. Horizon is a major presence in markets like Whole Foods, where animal welfare is paramount.
My April article, "A (Designer) Dog’s Life," highlighted Smith's efforts. Before NEWSWEEK published the story, I notified Horizon and Whole Foods that my piece would reveal they were buying and peddling organic milk from a farmer who mistreated dogs. Horizon sent an inspector to B&R the next day and found dogs living in filth. The company suspended the farmer, John Stoltzfus, who has since dismantled his dog-breeding operation, according to Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture records. That allowed him to resume supplying Horizon, which he began doing earlier this month.
Smith demanded that Whole Foods send several hundred vendors a letter warning of repercussions for inhumane dog breeding. In mid-May, the grocery chain issued a stern request that vendors "not supply any products to our stores that have been sourced from farmers…who breed or raise dogs inhumanely." Smith says the Whole Foods letter was a "huge step" forward because "consumers have always had the power to close these facilities."
Smith is now focused on getting other companies to do the same; this week he makes his plea in a full-page ad in The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Inquirer, whose publisher adopted a dog from Smith's shelter, gave Smith the ad space for almost nothing. "If other companies follow Whole Foods' lead, farmers everywhere who are operating puppy mills as side businesses will either clean up their acts or stop breeding dogs altogether," Smith says. He'll make sure of it.
Comment
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Comment by Jacquie Yorke (DRC) on August 7, 2009 at 10:28am
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I would also like to add that Mainline has a BEAUTIFUL facility and a multitude of foster volunteers...It is an impeccably clean farm with state of the art, large, spacious, comfortable kennel facilities and acres and acres of fenced property that is JUST FOR THE DOGS.....Besides being completely vetted, these dogs are all socialized,exercised, played with, hugged, loved, intereacted with constantly..They all get individual time and attention from volunteers...They all go home with and spend time with Bill at some point.......Bill doesn't have to worry about making room and "saving more dogs.." He saves them all and if they are not adoptable for any reason, they stay at Mainline for the rest of their lives....
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Bill Smith is my friend and a collegue of the DRC...First of all, Mainline's dogs have NO ADOPTION FEE....They are only given to the very best homes........Mainline's policy is what it is because Bill himself conducts EVERY and ALL home visits PERSONALLY. A typical day for Bill starts at 6:30 AM and he is literally still doing home checks at 11:00 PM at night.....He handles EVERY adoption and EVERY reference and vet check. It is also in place...because if insures the safety and well being of EVERY dog adopted from Mainline......These dogs are all from terrible mill situations and the majority of them have mill related issues that are a result of no socialization and very little contact or familiarity with human kindness....Many do not know how to just "be a dog"....If the adopted dog happens to have issues in the new home, they can be addressed immediately by Bill. If a dog happens to "fear bolt' there are systems inplace within that 45 mile radius that will insure that the dog is returned to Mainline. Bill is an amazing human being and Mainline is an incredible organization...
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Comment by HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08 on August 7, 2009 at 8:44am
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In response to Karen & Jacks comment below, "As it stands, the round-trip is an hour and a half per dog. Any further would really not be feasible." Allentown and Bethlehem PA is not within 45 miles of Philly but is within an hour and half per dog, and they since it is not within 45 miles you can't adopt...I think this is wrong. Return trips, that is all coverd to start with in the adoption fee so that shouldn't even be an issue.
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Comment by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on August 7, 2009 at 8:30am
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In response to Denise's comment below, most legitimate rescues and shelters have similar policies. Home visits have to be done, so that the rescue can see the home, yard, other pets, and get a sense of what the dog's environment will be. The staff who do the home visits are usually volunteers, and may not have time to travel an unlimited distance, regardless of wheteher the adopter pays the difference in gas & transportation fees. In case of an adoption not working out, a return trip may be required. As it stands, the round-trip is an hour and a half per dog. Any further would really not be feasible.
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There's only one thing I do not understand about Bill Smith's operation, you have to live within like 45 miles to adopt an animal from his shelter in PA down near Philly. I think that is outrageous if you live in PA and can afford to adopt a dog, give it a great home w/TLC, best of care medical and health wise, your turned away because you live more than 45 miles from his shelter. They claim they deliver the dog to you when you adopt it and this is the reason for the 45miles. If people really want to adopt a certain dog, they would pay the difference in gas mileage and a reasonable fee for transporting a dog they want to adopt. Smith could also save more dogs lives and have more room in his shelter if he allowed more people from PA to adopt.
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Comment by Nancy Sunderland on August 7, 2009 at 7:35am
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Amen sister, let's keep on gettin' the word out!
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Comment by LuvMyAbby&Kaela on July 14, 2009 at 8:33pm
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Definitely food for thought.
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Comment by Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie on July 14, 2009 at 8:33pm
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Whoopee! A step in the right direction.
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God Bless Bill Smith.
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Comment by Allyson, Peri & Taquito on July 14, 2009 at 12:23pm
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Interesting story that makes me wonder what I am supporting when I buy things in the store! I buy Horizon milk a lot....at least now money is going to puppy mills for that particular brand. Thank you for posting.
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