Adopt from an animal shelter or rescue group; never buy from a pet store. Remember that 25% of shelter animals are purebreds
Do not shop at stores that sell animals
Volunteer at your local animal shelter or rescue group
Ask your elected officials to outlaw puppy mills. Urge them to demand that the USDA enforce the Animal Welfare Act. For your senators’ and representatives’ contact information, visit www.vote-smart.org
Write letters to the editors of your local newspapers about the horrors of the puppy mill industry and its connection with pet stores
Distribute brochures about puppy mills and pet overpopulation outside of pet shops
Ask shopping mall managers not to renew the lease of the pet store on their property
Report pet store abuses to whoever is responsible for enforcing anti-cruelty laws in your town. Write a detailed statement of the abuses and take photographs, if possible
Educate others about the cruelties of puppy mills and the importance of adopting from shelters