Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Bregant.
Hi Lisa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’ve loved animals my entire life. Their loyalty, unconditional love, and capacity to forgive amaze and inspire me. In 2010 I volunteered with a local no-kill animal shelter that took in dogs from puppy mill auctions. Photographing them on intake, assisting in assessing their well-being and needs, and cleaning them up was heartbreaking. Some were missing eyes, missing limbs, broken bones, bones that had healed improperly due to neglect, and some were in the process of dying. They were still sold for profit, even as they were dying. This forever affected me.
After learning about the horrors dogs lived in puppy mills, I volunteered to help collect signatures to get Proposition B, the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, on the ballot in Missouri. Voters approved the bill, then repealed it by legislators. Sadly, the fight against puppy mills in Missouri faded from the spotlight. A long-time dedicated group of volunteers, Dogs Uncaged, held peaceful protests outside Petland Lake St. Louis to spread the word about the puppy mill and pet store connection. I volunteered with this group periodically through the years. When the wonderful man who ran the group passed away, I volunteered to do what I could to continue what he started. Our focus with Dogs Uncaged is education about puppy mills: the dogs breeding in the mills, the dogs being sold to pet stores, the horrific practices of millers and transporters, and the stores that sell them. We also provide resources for anyone interested in helping.
Early this year, we discovered a new Petland location opening in Fenton, Mo. Many in the Fenton community were clear that they did not welcome this store in their community. We have had a fantastic response to our peaceful protests at this location. Community members continually thank us for informing them about puppy mills and the puppy mill-pets store connection. We have volunteers from many local animal rescue and animal rights organizations who join us. Our members are volunteers with Bailing Out Benji, Harley’s Dream, and more. We rely on factual, proven documentation to support our mission.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The legislative barriers and lack of awareness are a challenge. We,as a community, need to work more towards education about puppy mill horrors and the negative community impact that can accompany mills and stores that sell animals from mills. In our work, we have discovered how many in our community aren’t aware of puppy mills and/or the puppy mill and pet store connection. As a volunteer with Bailing Out Benji and Harley’s Dream, I’m hoping to be able to expand that mission by continuing educational outreach. We need to support organizations such as the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation as they work with policy makers to change laws in our state for the benefit of animals.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve been pet sitting for more than 15 years. I enjoy being able to provide quality care for animals, as well as giving their parents peace of mind when they are away. A few of my clients are puppy mill survivors, and it is such a gift to see them thrive after such awful beginnings. I’ve studied holistic animal health, canine massage, and canine nutrition, and am working towards certification. I work with a pet nutrition company that has enabled me to help many pets and their people. I also run a craft business making pet accessories and whimsies.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love that St.Lous is such a pet-friendly city! There is so much to do with our dogs. It is fantastic.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dogsuncaged.com
- Instagram: @dogsuncaged
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dogsuncaged
