Protesters from San Diego Stop Puppy Mills stood outside the Pet Works store at Grossmont Center on December 4. The group, which has been protesting regularly outside of the store for nearly two years, claims that the owner gets his dogs from puppy mills. Last week, the store announced that it will be closing for economic reasons.

According to the group’s main organizer, Sydney Cicourel, they know which mill the owner of the store gets his puppies from. The owner of the store was unavailable for comment, but an employee stated that they only get their puppies from USDA-licensed breeders. She did not give a date for when the store will be closing.

Cicourel stated that the reason why the group was there on Saturday, even though the store has announced that it will be closing, was to continue to raise awareness.

The group, along with CAPS (the Companion Animal Protection Society), will hold a silent anti-puppy mill march at Grossmont Center on December 11, leading up to the La Mesa City Council meeting on December 14, at which the council will be hearing an ordinance proposal that would prohibit retail stores from selling non–shelter acquired dogs and cats.