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Their view: Tips should belong to workers, not their bosses

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State addresses questions about Property Tax/Rent Rebate program

<p>With spring upon us many people choose to adopt a puppy.</p><p>Puppy mills, or large-scale dog breeding operations, are a disgraceful, but profitable business here in America. Care of animals can be costly, so this industry ignores basic compassion by not spending money on veterinary care, safe housing, or adequate food.</p><p>These helpless puppies are constantly exposed to brutal summer heat and bitter winter cold. Veterinary care is rare, and many of these poor defenseless dogs suffer from an incredible assortment of painful and life-threatening parasites, wounds, infections.</p><p>One of the most troubling conditions at puppy mills is overcrowding, which typically leads to sanitation problems, extreme animal stress and disease.</p><p>The ammonia levels permeating these buildings, from the accumulated animal waste and poor ventilation, are often so high rescue workers are forced to wear respirators.</p><p>Frequently these dogs have been found living in almost total darkness and neglect. Sadly, many of these defenseless animals will spend their entire lives in a filthy, rusty cage and never even see the sky. The neglect, the cruelty, and the total absence of any sort of compassion, concern, or care are beyond appalling.</p><p>Contact your senators and representatives, and let them know the welfare and safety of these vulnerable dogs needs to be a top priority in the 115th Congress. Don&#8217;t shop but adopt from a shelter or rescue. Stop creating exotic breeds of dogs while there are orphans waiting for a forever home. If one desires a certain breed there are rescues dedicated to a particular breed. Older dogs are usually overlooked as people often want only a puppy. I adopted a 5-year-old bichon a few years ago, and he is the light of my life.</p><p>For more information contact www.ddal.org.</p><p><strong>Patricia Marks</strong></p><p>Wilkes-Barre</p><style>
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Your view: Help put an end to puppy mills