Soon, a "puppy store" opening under the name, The Pawfect Puppy, will be opening it's doors in the Cool Springs area of Franklin, TN. It is widely known that puppy stores sell puppies that are bred by commercial breeders, aka "puppy mills". The breeder dogs in these mills are forced to live horrible lives, never leaving their cages, with no vet care, and never receiving human interaction or consideration for their well being. They are nothing more than "money makers" for their owners. Not only is it inhumane the way these dogs are forced to live, but the offspring they produce are quite often sick with parasites and viruses and unfortunately riddled with genetic defects and disease. The dog you see in the picture is Tamale. She was rescued from a puppy mill raid right here in TN, just a few hours from our town. She was completely bald from mange, as were many in the mill, and her skin was horribly infected and painful. She is one of the lucky ones. She was saved and is now living in a loving forever home right here in Franklin. Thousands upon thousands, never get that get that second chance.

All across our country, cities are banning "puppy stores", standing strong that they will not support any business that supports puppy mills. It has been a decade since our own city has seen a pet store as such doing business. It is up to us to speak out for those who have no voice to not only educate the community about puppy stores and puppy mills, but to also let our city leaders know that we absolutely will not stand by quietly and let this business come into our community. Please, let us not take steps backwards and only move forward as advocates for these animals.

If we can put an end to "puppy stores" we can eventually put an end to puppy mills. When there is no longer money in the business, then there will be no need for them to continue.

Please take a stand by signing this petition and asking all that you know in the community to do the same.