Events

 
Listening Posts

Mary LaHay, Director of Iowa Voters for Companion Animals, is currently facilitating Listening Posts throughout the entire state of Iowa. At these functions there will be a brief overview of the issue of puppy mills in Iowa and an opportunity to share your stories and/or concerns about Iowa puppy mills, and any experiences that you may have had with a sick puppy purchased from an Iowa commercial breeder.

Area legislators are encouraged to attend to hear these first-hand accounts. Come join us! Are you interested in having a Listening Post scheduled in your area? Contact us!


Media Events

The word is getting out through the local newspapers, radio shows and television reports. Although website links don't always remain acceessable for long periods of time, we attempt to provide links to these interviews and reports. Please report any links that are no longer available.


Peaceful Protests / Email Campaigns

We support and promote peaceful protests of establishments that are known to sell puppies purchased from puppy mills and email campaigns to companies or organizations that have events that are associated with or promote puppy mills. If you are interested in organizing a peaceful protest and would like a platform to announce it, or if you know of an event taking place that involves an association with a puppy mill, please contact us.


Success Stories!

Read about our success stories! Whether it's a successful outcome of preventing an event (such as a puppy sale or auction) that would promote puppy mills or successful accomplishments in the state legislature, these are some of the things that we can, and HAVE, accomplished by coming together for a common cause.

We want this to be the biggest section on this page!


Listening Posts
Iowa City, IA - Saturday, December 5, 2009
   Iowa Senator Jim Lykum spoke at this Listening
   Post of the upcoming challenges faced in the
   next legislative session.
Carroll, IA - Saturday, November 21, 2009
   An organized and informative Listening Post
   was held with great attendance by both Iowa
   VCA supporters and Iowa breeders.
Mason City, IA - Tuesday, November 17, 2009
   Great turn out at this Listening Post. Much
   information was presented and lots of
   questions were answered.
Centerville, IA - Saturday, November 14, 2009
   Numerous Iowa VCA supporters and Iowa
   breeders were in attendance at this Listening
   Post. We're making an impact!
Sioux City, IA - Monday, November 9, 2009
   Listening Post was a huge success with 50+
   attendees and TV coverage!
Des Moines, IA - Monday, September 27, 2009
   This Listening Post was hosted by Senator
   Matt McCoy
Media Events
Radio Talk Show - Nov. 25, 2009
Iowa VCA Director, Mary LaHay, was interviewed on the "Leading Your Way" radio talk show hosted by Des Moines' Honey Howsare and Matt Wozmansky. Watch a video of the show here!
KCCI 8 Article - Feb. 10, 2010
KCCI TV 8 in Des Moines interviewed Mary LaHay and Rep. Jim Lykam on the progress of the Puppy Mill bill in the Iowa legislature. Great interview and footage of a puppy mill. Watch a video of the interview!
Peaceful Protests / Email Campaigns
We are not aware of any peaceful protests or puppy mill related events at the current time. Please see our Success Stories for past experiences and how you CAN make a difference.
Success!!
Interim Study
Iowa State Capitol, Des Moines

First of all, THANK YOU to everyone who made it to Senator Matt McCoy's Listening Post last night at the Animal Rescue League in Des Moines. A special THANK YOU to those of you who traveled far to share your story.

Please send Sen. McCoy (matt.mccoy@legis.state.ia.us) and Rep. Jim Lykam (jim.lykam@legis.state.ia.us) a message of thanks for hosting this event.

Now for the big news!!! The interim study was amazing! The day went like this:

Josh Colvin, Cruelty Coordinator for ARL, presented on his experiences with cruelty complaints involving Iowa's USDA commercial breeders. He talked about how our current laws make it difficult to get assistance with these cases.

Carol Griglione, IA Dir. of HSUS, spoke about all the work being done in states across the nation to reign in puppy mills.

I presented information on the analysis of inspection reports that we've done, including pointing out the glaring lack of violations reported by one inspector in particular.

Then the breeders spoke; Rob Hurd, Joe Gerst and Nancy Carlson. The bulk of each of their presentations consisted of information on their families and how their puppies make people happy.

Next we heard from representatives of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Dan Whitney of West Des Moines and Dr. Bill Williams of Altoona. There was a lot of discussion about the potential for implementing mandatory reporting of suspected cruelty. I will ask that if any of you use the vet services of either of these gentlemen, please talk to them about your concerns regarding puppy mills. They need to hear from you.

Next, Jonelle Hankner, DVM from Cedar Rapids spoke of her involvement with the vetting of several Kerry Blue Terriers from a Missouri auction. The dogs were from an Iowa breeder. Dr. Hankner testified via phone and it was difficult to hear everything she said, but it was still very impactful. If you've seen my Town-Meeting presentation you've seen the picture of the Kerry Blue with the missing eye and hole in her face. Her name is Shelby. She is one of the dogs Dr. Hankner vetted. The breeders had suggested that the photos I use were altered, so it was great that Dr. Hankner could dispel that!

Next, the creme-de-la-creme of presenters.... Lisa Deppe, DVM from Jewell, Iowa! Lisa gave an amazing talk on her experiences with dealing with adult dogs from puppy mills. I have no doubt that her presentation was primarily responsible for our success today. THANK YOU, LISA!! YOU ARE A BLESSING TO THE ANIMALS!!

Last, we heard from the Iowa Dept of Agriculture. They discussed their current inspection processes.

Then the legislators went to another room and discussed what they'd learned and came up with recommendations.

These recommendations may or may not end up in a bill to be introduced in January, but we're off to a great start!!

Here are the recommendations:

  1. The state should be allowed to inspect USDA licensed facilities upon receipt of a complaint.
  2. Fees paid by USDA licensed breeders for a state certificate to do business in Iowa should be raised.
  3. The state should investigate ways of cracking down on unlicensed breeders.
  4. The state should investigate whether or not breeders are paying Iowa state sales tax.
And last, but definitely not least, Sen. Merlin Bartz of north-central Iowa recommended that legislative leaders confer with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on the matter of the inspector whose incidence of reporting violations is unusually low! Since that inspector inspects the majority of kennels in our state I feel that this alone will result in significant improvements for thousands of dogs in puppy mills in Iowa. I am thrilled!

Please send a note of thanks to Sen. Joe Seng (joe.seng@legis.state.ia.us) and Rep. Jim Lykam (jim.lykam@legis.state.ia.us) for chairing this important study. Please also thank Rep. Mark Kuhn (mark.kuhn@legis.state.ia.us) and Sen. Pam Jochum (Pam.Jochum@legis.state.ia.us) for their amazing concern for this issue.

My apologies for the length of this message. I hope you find it informative.

It is VERY good news!! Many, many dogs are one step closer to a better life!

Thank you Thank you Thank you for all you do to help us keep the momentum as we hurdle towards the 2010 legislative session!


Mary LaHay, Director
Iowa Voters for Companion Animals

No Puppies Up For Auction!
Clive, IA

We're working so hard to educate the public about the issue of puppy mills. One recent practice of offering puppies up for auction at fundraisers is certainly contrary to what we're all about.

So, when we heard that a group in Clive, Iowa was choosing to use a puppy in their fundraiser, Iowa VCA Director Mary LaHay immediately contacted them, but was unsuccessful in swaying their decision to auction a puppy. They were adamant that this was OK "because we know who gets the puppy and we know the breeder" (they did say the breeder is in SE Iowa).

That's when the power of our group came into action. After requesting the help of our members, the director of the group was overwhelmed with respectful emails from Iowa Voter for Companion Animals members who let her know that although their group was certain the puppy will end up in good hands, an animal isn't an item to be auctioned... nor to be taken so lightly - and insisted that this practice must stop.

Within 24 hours, our members received this message from Mary LaHay:

"Well, once again you all came through with flying colors!! If you contacted this organization re: the puppy they planned to auction you've no doubt heard that they have decided to not auction it after hearing from so many of you.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! BE VERY PROUD!!

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." — Margaret Mead


Mary LaHay, Director
Iowa Voters for Companion Animals