Protesters gather to speak against new puppy store
HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - Dozens of protesters gathered Wednesday morning near Surfside Beach to speak out against a new puppy store set to open soon.
Rocky Valley Kennels Puppy Boutique is opening its second location just outside the town limits of Surfside Beach. The store will set next door to Old Time Pottery.
The protesters are against puppy stores, because they say it’s better for dogs to be adopted from shelters than bought from puppy stores.
“We are here to be the voice of animals that can’t speak for themselves,” organizer Suzanne Roman said.
Roman also oversees a Facebook group of more than 500 members that is against the commercial sale of puppies.
Protesters gathered Wednesday with signs saying things like “Be their voice” and “Puppy mills are the scourge of the dog world.”
Roman worked in animal shelters for 17 years. She says shelters have too many dogs in them, which is a big reason why she thinks people should adopt from a shelter.
“I have just seen massive overpopulation,” she said. “I’ve also seen the effects of animals brought in from puppy mills with no socialization, poor care, many medical issues, and I think that people now need to just stand up for these animals and speak out and say no.”
The owner of the store declined to comment, but he spoke in November with our news partners My Horry News.
He told them the health of his puppies is his priority and that buyers shouldn’t be concerned.
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