Patricia Arquette, star of NBC's Medium, is one of the numerous celebrities who signed up to help the Humane Society of the United States in its fight against so-called “puppy mills,” places where dogs are treated as mere breeding tools and thus, are often subjected to cruel acts.

Arquette, along with Ghost Whisperer actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, film and stage actor Nathan Lane, Saturday Night Live alum Molly Shannon and former daytime actress Kelly Ripa, appeared in print ads on behalf of the Humane Society's "Puppy Mill Action Week," which lasted from November 25 to December 1.

“The puppy mill business does harm to countless dogs, and we are grateful that these compassionate celebrities are lending their voices and shining a spotlight on this cruelty,” Wayne Pacelle, the President and CEO of the Humane Society, said.

Seeing as pet stores and the Internet get their dogs from mills, the main goal for Patricia Arquette and her fellow celebrities was to urge the public not to buy from such venues, and instead seek pets from reputable shelters and homes.

The Puppy Mill Action Week was launched as a means to educate the public about puppy mills at the peak of holiday shopping season, and to let consumers know that they can help put an end to puppy mills.

"Holiday shopping time is the worst for these animals. Puppy mills are about supply and demand, with no greater demand than during the holidays," Stephanie Shain, director of the Humane Society's "Stop Puppy Mills" campaign, said.  "When consumers stop 'demanding' the 'product' by shopping for puppies in pet stores and online, these mills will go out of business."

The campaign against Puppy Mills is not the first notable cause Patricia Arquette has become involved with.  After her mother died of breast cancer in 1997, the Medium star worked hard to raise awareness about the disease.  She has run in the annual "Race for the Cure," and once served as a spokesperson for "Lee National Denim Day," which raises millions of dollars for breast cancer research and education.

She has also contributed to "Clothes Off Our Back," an organization that auctions off items donated by celebrities, then gives the proceeds to various children's charities.

Fans of Arquette can catch her on the small screen again when Medium returns in January with new episodes.


-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: The National Ledger, World Entertainment News Network, NBC
(Image Courtesy of  WireImage)