Joliet Animal Welfare Group to Hold 'Puppies Aren't Presents' Protest

JOLIET, IL — Local animal welfare organization Safe Pets for Joliet will join groups across the country to protest buying pets as holiday gifts.

Safe Pets for Joliet will hold a peaceful protest of the Furry Babies store at the Westfield Joliet mall from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 25. Donations for the Will County Humane Society will also be collected at the event to help support the area’s homeless pets, according to a news release from the organization.

Safe Pets for Joliet is a group of local residents advocating education and legislation to protect pets, consumers and taxpayers from the consequences of having the city’s businesses support the inhumane commercial pet breeding industry. The group hopes that the Black Friday protest will prevent consumers from purchasing pets from stores as holiday gifts.

The group hopes that protests at malls and pet stores will educate consumers about the connection between pet stores and puppy mills, which are commercial pet breeders that value profits over the health and safety of animals. These breeders sell their animals almost exclusively through pet stores and websites, according to the news release.

For more information about the “Puppies Aren’t Presents” Black Friday protest and Safe Pets for Joliet’s mission, visit SafePetsForJoliet.org.

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