What Can I DO:

       You see them every time you read the classified section of your newspaper: notices of puppies for sale, registered/pure bred, ready in time for Easter/Christmas/Valentine's Day/Whatever. Since you already know that though responsible breeders may advertise their kennels via print or online classified ads, they certainly don't sell puppies through them, you deduce that most of these ads are placed by pet profiteers -- puppy millers or backyard breeders whose only concern is selling pets for profit.

       These ads infuriate and frustrate you, especially the ones for the new "designer" breeds, or those trying to make a "miniature" of anything by breeding a large dog with a smaller one that looks similar (for instance, a recent classified in one newspaper advertised "AKC Golden Retriever/Pomeranian puppies," while another was selling "AKC Rottweiler/Min Pin mix puppies"). But what can you do?

       Take a look at the actual "Cats/Dogs/Pets" classified column from a small-town newspaper pictured at the left. Can you pick out the ads sponsored by local rescues? People DO notice!

       Below, you will find the text of actual ads being run in Wisconsin newspapers and "shoppers." Use these as a starting point for your own ideas! Keep them short, simple, and to the point -- and feel free to use this website URL as a reference.

       Great idea, but just not something you're comfortable doing? OK, how about contacting a shelter or rescue near you (use Pets 911 or PetFinder as a starting point to find one) and offering a donation to pay for classifieds advertising their adoption events or fund-raisers, or simply to run classifieds with their contact info, like the Animal Aid general info ad? Donations to the Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project Classified Ads Campaign are also cheerfully accepted! Please email us for details.