Who Will Join Me?

We are all well aware that the state of animal welfare in Canada is deplorable. You are reading this today because you, like me want change. How do we as ordinary citizens bring about the change we seek?

That got me thinking, so last night unable to sleep, I sat down and wrote the following letter to the Prime Minister of Canada:

Dear Mister Prime Minister

My name is Janette Hamilton. I live in Ontario. I write to you today about a very serious issue that has been overlooked for far too long. The issue of animal welfare in our country sorely needs to be addressed. I mean no disrespect but feel the following must be said by someone, and I can not sit back and wait for that someone. I must step forward and BE that someone, or as a cherished circle of friends would put it, I need to BE THE CHANGE I SEEK. So I write in hopes that someone hears me.

An estimated two thousands puppy mills are thought to operate in the province of Quebec alone. Thousands of animals are being habitually abused in the name of commerce on a daily basis. Despite complaints from the public, and pressure from animal advocates, the abuse continues to be condoned by the authorities refusal to act. Puppy mill “entrepreneurs” are allowed to willfully abuse thousands of animals for profit every year, and rarely if ever are puppy mills raided and charges laid. In cases where charges are laid and a conviction is handed down the slap on the wrist sentencing meted out is laughable at best.

Puppy mills are not the only problem. Kitten mills also exist. It is more difficult to prove, but those of us who have worked in any capacity of animal rescue are well aware of their existence. We have dealt with the product of their abuse many times over.

Mill animals often end up in city shelters when mill operations are raided. Many of them are euthanized after being deemed unadoptable due to the trauma of a life time of abuse. These animals are not unadoptable, they just need time to heal, but “overcrowding” makes it so they are executed for the crime of being abused instead of being given the care they need.

The solution to this particular problem requires legislation of breeders, and outlawing of puppy and kitten mill operations on a national scale. It requires laws that ban retail sales of animals in pet stores, and restrict animal sales to registered government inspected breeders. There is a need for a breeding ban of at least two years in order to give shelter animals a chance to have a second chance, and a need for proper training of rescue workers across the country.

This problem is only the tip of the iceberg, but I have learned over time that sometimes one problem at a time is the only way we can solve the bigger situation. To that end I will continue to send weekly emails to your office until I receive a reply. I understand that may seem forward of me, but Sir, I have no more time for politics. Thousands of animals lose their lives every year because we have not taken the responsibility to stop it. Therefore I am making it my responsibility to do so, but more will follow. Please do not let our questions and pleas fall on deaf ears. Canada is “no country for animals” and that needs to change!

Respectfully,

Janette Hamilton

I sent it this morning, both by snail mail and email. I could not simply ignore the questions that I had raised in my own mind. My Father always told me to choose my battles wisely. I have chosen my battle. Who will join me? I can’t change things alone!

Until Tomorrow Remember

BE THE CHANGE

Janette