I will have to tape the show, I will be a work during the day. I hope you will do more shows exposing these Puppy Mills, I know there is a difference between a breeder who truly breeds for the better of the breed, and the Puppy Mill owner who breeds just for profit. The Puppy Mill owners need to be caged and be treated the same way they treat those poor babies. Thank you for caring. Please keep doing more shows on this topic

A rescue group that takes in a young puppy mill rescue with a serious medical condition - say a liver shunt - will spend between $2000 and $3000 to get the dog healthy enough for surgery, transport it to a top notch veterinary hospital that has experience with pediatric liver shunts, then foster the dog through the healing process, take it to be retested, spay or neuter the dog when the attending vet determines it is safe, bring the dog up to date with all required vaccinations. Depending on the area, the vax & s/n can cost another $200-$350. The rescue then posts the rescue on a web site or petfinde and may ask an adoption fee for a young dog of $400-$600.

Reputable rescue groups spay/neuter every dog that crosses their thresholds. The two exceptions are 1) when a licensed veterinarian determines the health of the dog would be damaged by a spay or 2) when a puppy is too young for the procedure and those dogs are adopted with a spay/neuter contract with the adopter putting a refundable deposit down until proof of s/n is provided. In those cases, reputable rescues follow up to ensure the procedure takes place and if a veterinarian indicates the dog is ready for the procedure and the adopter will not schedule it, the dog is reclaimed by the rescue.

Rescue groups that save these dogs had nothing to do with the deplorable state they are in when they are taken under the rescue umbrella. Rescues spend thousands of dollars to determine the underlying problems a mill dog rescue may have. Potential adopters are told of all known medical conditions and every prospective adopter is told these dogs came from a mill, we don't know their history nor do we know their parent's medical history. Mill dogs typically have higher vet expenses than other dogs, they often need frequent dentals and because of their poor start in life (and the poor health of their parents) many problems can appear in later years. This is explained to prospective adopters because the goal of a puppy mill rescue group is to place that dog in a forever home that is fully cognizant of the potential problems and financially able to provide for future problems.

Rescue groups who transport dogs across state lines obtain medical certificates for the dogs, they also spend hours on the road and hundreds of dollars in gas to help get these dogs into foster or forever homes. And they will drive hundreds of miles at their own expense to bring these dogs back into rescue when, for whatever reason, the adopter can no longer keep the dog.

It is a national problem but when you consider the USDA has been regulating these kennels for years it does not take a rocket scientist to see that is not working. If the Federal government can not protect these animals then regulating kennels is going to have be done by the states.

By educating the public regarding the hidden world of puppy mills, everyone will benefit. If there are groups claiming to be rescue who breed and sell dogs, an educated public will learn to recognize them and they too will be stopped.

Since I'm an animal activist, I already know what Friday's show will expose, so my crying has already begun today--Thursday.

Thank you Oprah for this show. So very many have been praying for some miracle for animals in these conditions, and for justice to intervene. You have the power to alert the world.

This is a sick segment of society, perpetrated by greed and a lack of laws to stop it. This should not be allowed to flourish in America.

Oprah, Lisa, Thanks Again !!! When my wife and I discover that one of our teens may be guilty of something, we ask them if they did it. Typically they will confess if they are guilty. Sometimes, if they say they are innocent, but we feel that may not be the case we will continue to question them about the incident. after the third or fourth question they will either fess up or state flat out that they have not commited the crime. At this point we usually drop the case and so do they. 99% of the time it ends up that they were telling the truth. Case Closed! If they go on and on about their not being guilty, BAMM! we find out they did it after all HEY BREEDERS!!! If in your mind you are a good breeder and are doing nothing wrong, then I would say you have nothing to be ashamed of. If this is the case, fair enough, you are simply in the wrong forum. This forum is about PUPPY MILLERS! Now if you think that maybe you are breeding in a way that a person may see as that of a puppy mill then maybe this is why you keep filling up all these pages going on and on about what good breeders are, what good breeders do. Enough allready. If you have done nothing wrong, fight the puppy mills with all of your resources. If you continue to go on and on about how good you are, you are simply showing your feelings of guilt, wasting our time, and honestly you are making yourselves look like a bunch of fools. Let's join forces and fight the mills, Let's discuss how cruel the mills are, not how wonderfull breeders are. In short, write your postings about mills when you are on this link. Talk about helping with rescues and fosters. Talk about ways that we may all pool our resources and help one cause --- THE DOGS LEFT BEHIND! The unfortunate ones still to be born into the hell known as a mill. Help them, not yourselves. Again, BREEDERS - help us fight the mills or just GO AWAY ! ! ! Thanks Kim and Robb Pitkin, Ovid, NY

Oprah my Friends and Family are so greatful you are taking a stand on this awful issue of Puppy Mills. Some people don't want to believe this goes on. To those people I say get your head out of the sand and see what is really going on.
Horse and Dog racing is just as cruel and inhuman. Over breeding is for one thing and one thing only $$$$$$$$$.

It is a proven fact anyone that abuses Animals will in fact abuse Humans. PEOPLE WAKE UP IT'S TIME TO SHOW THSES ABUSERS THE JIG IS UP. WE WILL FIND EACH AND EVEYONE ONE OF THEM WITH ALL OF OUR HELP.

CALL YOUR LOCAL ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS OR ANIMAL SHELTER AND ASK THEM WHAT YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR. EACH STATE HAS IT'S OWN RULES AND REGULATIONS. GET ON THE PHONE DON'T WAIT.

IF ANYONE WANTS TO START A CHAPTER TO STOP ANIMAL ABUSE IN SOUTHERN IDAHO PLEASE CANTACT ME THROUGH THIS MESSAGE BOARD.

I see so many mill rescue people here who feel the same way we do. Milldogmom, you must be one of us! Our breed group spends many many dollars getting medical care for our rescue dogs--major heart, dental, and ortho issues on top of the spay and neuter. And transport and rehab. I feel so better knowing there are many more very intelligent, knowledgeable people out there who really CAN help make a difference. We gotta work together.

Thank you Oprah and Lisa for actually dealing with this problem on your show. It is the best vehicle for change to begin. We need to keep this blog discussion open somewhere so we can all actually read all the growing messages and get others to read. Is it possible to make a copy of the show available (purchase?) for those who can't tape or can't watch (I'm out of town on business)?

this issue is so very important to us rescue people, and if all pet lovers can be aware of this and just help vote, petition, or whatever we need to do, we'll have a voice larger than those silent moneymakers behind the millers.

Oprah, I was very saddened to hear of Sophie's passing. Just know that she has passed over the rainbow bridge and is running and jumping with Gracie and all our dear friends too.

Please keep this project alive and moving forward! Thanks to all.

This is such a huge problem and many people will be overwhelmed when they watch the show tomorrow, so they might not want to get involved to help stop this horrible torture that these poor animals face, but please, when you see this story, contact the Animal Humane Society, PETA or ASPCA and ask what you can do to help. Mainly, we have to change the laws so that we can close down these puppy mills and with people protesting that the laws should change, hopefully the politicians will help pass laws that will mean something. There are too many dogs and cats in this world that don't have homes. Unfortunately, rescuing all these animals isn't the answer to ending this tragedy, it is only a small one-time solution. We need to ban dog breeding all together until we can (if it's even possible) get the population under control. People have to learn that by buying a dog at a pet store or even from a breeder who may be a good breeder, you are only adding to the problem. Please adopt an animal who is already on this earth, and stop paying the outrageous prices breeders are charging so you can get this "special" breed. Every dog needs a loving home. The one thing that every person can do is stop adding to the problem by supporting these horrible "breeders" who want to make money, even the "good" breeders are in it for the same reason-to make a living. At what cost? Please it's just not worth it. Go to a shelter and find someone who needs your love now. These are some solutions to a problem which may never have a happy ending as long as the animals' welfare is not put first. Thanks for listening.

Patty

My parents showed and bred dogs and I grew up in the home of a "reputable" breeder. As early as I can remember, my parents rescued dogs from terrible conditions. From the outside my parents were perfect dog breeders. When I became an independent adult I said I would never have a dog from a breeder as a pet. Here is why: -When you take an animal that is supposed to be man's best friend, put it in a cage, and treat it as a commodity(albeit a very well cared for commodity) it can dehumanize you. -As a child, again and again I saw dogs my parents "rescued" later bred and sometimes shown. -The absolute power dog breeders have over their dogs can encourage a dictator mentality in breeders. Yes, there are benevolent dictators, but there are many more dictators who abuse their power. -As a result of this dictator mentality, I saw many other children of breeders who were treated poorly and who sometimes were given less care than the dogs their parents bred. I think these breeders justified their treatment of their children and animals through their status as breeders. -Even a good breeder can lose all sense of proportion. At the height of my parent's dog breeding we had 27 dogs and puppies and 2 adults and 1 child to care for them. The only time these dogs had any human interaction was at feeding time. People will respond to what I am saying with stories of good dog breeders. Yes there are good dog breeders who maintain compassion and proportion, but this was not my experience. From the outside my parents looked like the perfect breeders. We travelled around the country with beautiful dogs and won all sorts of ribbons. What happened behind closed doors was a completely different matter.

About a year ago I wrote to oprah and asked if she would do a special on puppy mills. I have been on my hands and knees praying ever since because I knew she would be the only person in the world to report this horrible abuse.
God answered our prayers today as I turned on the tv this morning there was a pic of oprah and she said lisa ling was going to report on puppy mills. I have been dancing around the house ever since. My heart is about to come out of my chest in anticipation of the 4pm show. A thank u is certainly not enough for what u have done. God bless u oprah and lisa for doing a show I am sure was very hard to do. thank u thank u thank u from the bottom of our hearts for letting the world see this. hugs and luv mark waite

<hr /> <hr /> Oprah and Lisa Thank You For This Show. I hope it will wakeup a lot of people to what is really going on with puppy mills.I can,t say thank enough.

Thank you, Oprah! I can't think of a better way to honor the love you have for your furkids.

Dear 1943,
I am also an animal lover, and wonder if you have read the book "Farm Sanctuary?" The author is Gene Baur and he is truly amazing. I think it is about time to start thinking of farm animals in the same light as our companion animals.Cows and Pigs are mammals, just like our cats and dogs.Thanks for listening.

I have been in animal welfare for over 25 years and have seen the suffering caused by the puppy mill industry. I live with a product of a hoarder/breeder situation, she is a great companion but I am always on the lookout for genetic problems. I am distressed that HSUS will be center stage in this program, since they do nothing to help agencies that have to deal first hand with the problem. HSUS does not help with the financial burden that these agencies undertake when caring for the victims of this industry. I may change my opinion of HSUS if they committed $$ to help these victims instead of using this emotional platform to raise money for their agenda, which is not to help the animals or the agencies tasked with helping the animals, the real victims. But, to legislate against pet owners. I have worked with many caring people who think HSUS helps local agencies with animal issues, only to discover that NONE of the money they donate goes to local agencies to help local animals in need. This a serious issue that is well guarded by HSUS. Please Please Please don't let HSUS use you, Oprah, you are a good person and you do wonderful things for people who really deserve it.

Exposing these money hunger breeders is a good thing. Horse and Dog racing are even worse. More people need to get in touch with Animal control in their area ask questions about what the Laws are in that area and what to look for. If you see or even think you see abuse report it. REMBER PEOPLE " ABUSE IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT

I always knew that pet stores were not the place to get a "forever friend". During the past thirty years we have adopted four beautiful, loving friends from our local no-kill shelter. All of them were older dogs who may have had difficulties in their past. Our latest is a rescued dog from Louisianna. Yes she survived Katrina. Aside from not liking rain, she loves life and it is as if we have had her since she was a puppy. (We live in Canada - lots of snow.) I say kudos to all for the heartbreaking work that went into the production of this much needed show. I have a great deal of difficulty understanding man's inhumanity towards any of God's creatures. Thank you again for this wake up show.