We are ANGRY. We are SAD. We are CONFUSED.

Angry because.. When you love animals, you want them to live. You want them to not be brought into this world unnecessarily because you understand all the risks. These photos made me physically ill. They represent everything we are working so hard to eliminate.

Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats. Each year, approximately 2.7 million animals are euthanized (1.2 million dogs and 1.4 million cats). (ASPCA Statistics)

Sad because.. There is a large part of the population who believe that it’s an honor for dogs to give birth. They think it’s important for their children to witness this. “It’s natural.” “I want to bring puppies into the world who are just like my wonderful dog.” “The puppies will be so cute.”

I’ve got a news flash for you: ALL PUPPIES ARE CUTE. But that is not a reason to knowingly create them. This is precisely where the term “backyard breeder” came from. Doesn’t sound classy at all, does it?

Everything I do is with the intention of raising consciousness for our cause. I’m sad that this dog’s maternity photoshoot went viral for the wrong reasons. I’m sad that it promoted dog birth. I’m sad that so many people see no problem with it at all. I’m sad for the dog. For her little body having to go through something she never signed up for and the apparent joy she radiates only as a result of wanting to please her owners -- at any cost.

Confused because.. We understand that spaying and neutering is the first step to ending the overpopulation epidemic. This photo is of a mixed breed dog whose owners chose to impregnate her. You don't have a litter on purpose and "adopt" them out. It just doesn’t work that way. They will say they have good homes for all the puppies. There are no guarantees of this. And what about the puppies’ puppies?? Where will they end up?? We know. And it’s not pretty. Several will go on to be homeless, abused, abandoned, and neglected.

If you loved these photos, I challenge you.. I challenge you to visit a high intake animal shelter or volunteer for a rescue. That’s it. That’s all you’ll need to do to change your mind and enlighten your spirit. Then you’ll never see these photos in the same light again. This isn’t something to glorify. Be classy. Be part of the solution, not the problem please.