When we talk about anti-puppy mill campaigns put together by people lobbying for animal welfare, we often expect to see giant posters of abused pets and protesters being asked to leave.


While this obviously gets attention, it’s not a very good way to get the public to trust us. People are more likely to give weight to information that comes from people that seems sensible and who come packing considered material. They’re getting pretty good at ignoring anyone they view as extremists.


But thankfully this ‘in your face’ approach is rapidly being replaced by a new and more effective way of getting the point across. And this is really something I can really get into!

Instead of holding placards and shouting, the protestors at the Beverly Center have sought to educate the public, and peacefully change hearts and minds one person at a time by talking, handing out educational literature, and looping DVDs that expose the cruelty and abhorrent conditions dogs experience at puppy mills.

“It’s a very calm and reasonable approach to educating the public and getting our message out,” Oreck says. “We don’t try to shock. We try to engage in dialogue with the public.”

Imagine the strength of that.