During the past several months, Bloomington has been a buzz regarding the antiquated business of pet stores, animal welfare and puppy mills. The MCHA is strongly urging Delilah's Pet Store and Anthony's Pets to change their current practice of selling puppies and kittens. Other pet supply stores such as Petco and PetSmart have ethical policies regarding cats and dogs, working with shelters and rescues to help place homeless animals. Petco has recently gone a step further in their commitment to ethical business practices and animal welfare by announcing they will now phase-out the sale of rabbits. Locally owned pet supply store, T & T Pet Food and Supply does not sell animals of any kind and is a wonderful source of a large variety of pet food and supplies.
Those in defense of Delilah's selling pets have argued that the store does not obtain animals from puppy mills or backyard breeders and that some people don't want to "deal with those shelter dogs". These opinions are very telling of the lack of understanding of overpopulation, animal sheltering, animal welfare and commitment to the greater good of animals. In addition, there is an easy solution to the question of the source of animals from Delilah's, which would be full disclosure to the public.
To set the record straight, some of the top reasons for relinquishment to a shelter are: cannot afford/no time for pet, moving and landlord doesn't allow. This is contrary to the pro-pet shoppers spiel that there is something inherently wrong with animals that end up in a shelter. I find that to be an interesting "selling" point.
Animal shelters across the nation have a high percentage of pure bred animals at any given time. If the other side is going to argue that shelter dogs are flawed they should check the facts to know where shelter animals come from, including many purchased from Delilah's and the Anthony's Pets in the mall.
To sweeten this even more, just this week 9 mixed breed (lab/pit bull) puppies were given up to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter from a backyard breeder who supplies puppies to Delilah's. He stated he is now in a tough spot since Delilah's burned down because he had sold the last two litters to them. He refused spay/neuter assistance for the lab and pit bull he is breeding.
I can undoubtedly say this was a direct contribution to the pet overpopulation crisis in our community and would welcome the other side to debate how it is not. Clearly breeding lab pit bull mixes to put a hefty price tag on should also be called into question for a myriad of reasons. This is not a responsible or reputable breeder or a store acting in the best interest of animals.
Not to be forgotten, Anthony's Pets in College Mall is another dark spot within our community. Contained in inspection reports from the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter, the owner of the store indicated he obtains his animals from an Amish breeder. When asked if it was the puppy miller who had been investigated by Channel 13 recently, he indicated it was. Watch the Channel 13 Puppy Pipeline investigation video here.
To add to this unfolding debate, a class project at Indiana University has stirred further controversy. A group of students decided to hold a fundraiser for Delilah's titled Dollars for Delilah's. The group of well intentioned student thought they were raising funds for the care of the animals who survived the fire. According to Delilah's website : "All the puppies and kittens that were saved by our heroic public servants have been adopted, and they were all healthy due to the quick work of the fireman and the police." Those lucky animals were evaluated by a local vet, did not need any treatment and were released hours later, free of charge. The students have stated they were told that funds were needed for the care of the surviving animals.
With the advent of the Owen County dog breeder, currently under investigation, stating that she also wants to open a pet store in Bloomington, unsuspecting consumers beware and be educated. Dealing dogs is a dirty business that requires deeper awareness and consideration by everyone. The Bloomington community must demand a higher, more humane standard. We are better than this.
Take action today and sign the petition asking Delilah's and Anthony's Pets to stop selling puppies and kittens.
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