When Oprah Winfrey talks, dog advocates are all ears.

As reported here earlier this month, Winfrey admitted to being so moved by her special correspondent Lisa Ling's investigation of abuses at puppy mills on The Oprah Winfrey Show that she is "a changed woman."  

Winfrey's late Cocker Spaniel Sophie and Golden Retriever Gracie were both purebreds purchased from breeders, as are Winfrey's current three dogs. But Winfrey promised that from here on out her future dogs would come only from animal shelters. "I would never, ever adopt another pet now without going to a shelter to do it," she said. Now, thanks to that powerful statement, thousands of other Americans are following Winfrey's lead by making the switch from breeders to shelters.  

Today, as part of a follow-up to that important puppy-mill expose, Oprah's show visits the Richmond SPCA, whose web site proudly declares, "We stand for the principle that every life is precious." The shelter has rescued numerous dogs from appalling situations at Virginia puppy mills, successfully rehabilitating and rehoming them. Will one of the shelter's worthy adoptable dogs wind up as Oprah's pet? Animal advocates all over the country will be tuning in to find out!

The show airs in the Richmond area on WRIC Channel 8 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. For air times elsewhere, please check local TV listings. 

Post a Comment