This is another reason why things are screwed up

There is currently an organization that exists to give a legitamite and clean face to puppy mills and pet stores in Canada. It's a lobbying organization - and it's called the "Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council" and it does whatever it can to become associated with what it believes are upstanding organizations. It's been in existence for many years now. Every time I see it involved with other organizations I'll send in a letter of protest - most recently with the CKC's "RDOG" week a couple months ago - they were one of the sponsors, and I wrote a letter to Lee Steeves - our areas President for the CKC.

PIJAC - almost at the same time as RDOG week, held a trade show up in Toronto, and one of the biggest booths on the floor of their trade was no other than the Hunte Corporation - one of the - if not THE - biggest puppy millers/farms in the United States. The irony of that was not lost on me when I emailed Ms. Steeves.

When she emailed me back she said - " It is a long and often challenging road trying to educate people in dog businesses but we have made some inroads with PIJAC and continue to try to get our viewpoint embedded. Not a perfect situation but at least they are at the table and listening to us and to the vets and shelters. "

Do you know what I say to that? BULLSHIT.

PIJAC is laughing all the way to the bank - because they are loving to be able to put their logo next to the CKC and next to the Canadian Federation of Humane Socieities and the Canadian Veterinary Association. It TOTALLY legitamizes them, and confuses the naive public into thinking that pet stores "certified" by PIJAC are okay.

The FIRST THING that the Canadian Kennel Club has to do is break off all ties with the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council and stop accepting any of their blood money. I don't care what the National Companion Animal Coalition is doing - they'll be able to do it with a lot more legitamicy WITHOUT PIJAC. End of sentence.

It's pathetic. And it must stop NOW.

No wonder people who are involved with puppy mills and pet store realities have no belief in anything the CKC says - we know what's going on behind the scenes. Unlike the public who thinks that PIJAC is really a "good" organization. As IF.