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http://www.nopuppymillscanada.ca/teja.htm

An open letter from Nicole Joncas of Teja's Animal Refuge
regarding puppy mills (En francais à la suite)

Teja's Animal Refuge is suing the Quebec government and Anima-Quebec for not
enforcing the provisions of the Animal Health Act. And we need your help.

Over the past few years, I've received hundreds of emails from people who
have reported puppy mills to Anima-Quebec and still nothing has changed. The
millers continue to operate with impunity. They build their fortunes through
the ruthless exploitation of animals who are condemned to a lifetime of
confinement in barren cages, never feeling the grass under their feet or the
sun on their faces; physically and psychologically ravaged; stacked
together, sometimes by the hundreds in unventilated, ramshackle warehouses,
without heat in the winter or even the comfort of a cool breeze in the
summer.

It is estimated that there are thousands of puppy mills in Quebec. Those of
us who have been inside a mill have not come out unscathed. The images of
hundreds of dogs sweltering in the heat, often without so much as a bowl of
water, cowering in the corners of their cages or barking in frenzies of
despair, will forever haunt us. Equally terrible has been the realization
that faced with the unwavering refusal of governmental bodies to intervene,
we were as powerless as the dogs themselves to alleviate their misery.

We have documented countless unspeakable acts of cruelty and provided this
information time and again to those in authority, to those who have the
power to make a difference but who choose instead to ignore not only the
plight of the animals but their own legal responsibilities. And we've had
enough. It's time to hold those responsible, accountable.

We have excellent legal representation, solid evidence and a good chance of
success, as demonstrated by the fact that the Animal Legal Defence Fund
inthe United States has generously donated $4,000 to help fund this lawsuit.
Litigation is expensive, even with the pro bono services of our legal team,
but we are left with no choice. If the authorities won't act against the
millers, then it's time to act against the authorities. But we need your
help. That's why I'm not asking but am begging for your help to pursue this
lawsuit. It is my deeply-held conviction that this legal challenge could be
a turning point for animal rights in Quebec, and could well inspire similar
campaigns in other provinces.

Our legal team says we have a good case, and now it's up to us to provide
the necessary financial resources to bring this case to court and win a
victory for animals in Quebec. Help us help the animals by raising money,
through fundraisers, silent auctions, car washes, forwarding this request,
or whatever way you can. Small donations will add up quickly if we all
participate, and it's the best chance the animals have ever had.

Teja' Animal Refuge is a registered charity #85496 4202 RC0001. Donations
can be made at Teja's website at: http://www.tejasanimalrefuge.ca/.
Receipts for charitable donations will be issued for donations of $25 and
more. No donation is too small to help with this lawsuit. On the memo line
of your cheque, please specify "Re: lawsuit".

Nicole Joncas,
Universal Peace Ambassador,
Teja's Animal Refuge
21511 McCormick Road
Glen Robertson, Ontario K0B 1H0

Reprinted by permission-