SALEM — When Natalie Femino lost her Yorkshire terrier to a congenital tracheal condition, she began to educate herself about dog breeding.

"We were fairly ignorant," said Femino, whose dog had to be euthanized. "I thought it was one of the legitimate ones, but I later found out it wasn't."

That lesson inspired Femino to learn more about the way dogs are bred and sold, and to educate others. At 1 p.m. Saturday, for the second year, she is organizing a Puppy Mill Awareness Day on the Salem Common.

"Puppy mills are a place where dogs are bred for volume and they aren't cared for," said Femino, a lifelong Salem resident. "They often live in cages, (are) not held or loved, and are bred over and over."

The Salem event is part of a national awareness day and will feature live music, raffles, food, games, a doggie parade and a walk around the Common. Animal-rescue groups, adoption agencies and other organizations will set up tables with information.

"I get so passionate about it," said Femino, whose voice became choked with emotion when she talked about cruel conditions at some breeding facilities.

Her daughter, Melissa Butcher, is also helping out with the awareness day. Melissa used to work at the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem and has two "rescue" dogs named Prince and Lady.

"I was asking a business owner for a donation for Saturday and she said, 'What's a puppy mill?'" Butcher said, "and she has a dog. It's just proof that people don't know about it."

The proceeds from Saturday's event will benefit the Animal Legal Defense Fund (aldf.org) and the Puppy Mill Rescue organization (puppymillrescue.com).

"It will be fun," said Femino, who now has two rescue dogs named Freddy and Little One, "but it will also be a place to learn about what people can do to put an end to this."

'People just aren't aware'

Lisa Franzetta, a spokeswoman for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, said there have been some high-profile investigations into puppy mills in recent years, but it is still a widespread problem — and they're not illegal.

"The breeding dogs are kept in overcrowded cages their whole life with little human contact and little veterinary care," Franzetta said during a telephone interview yesterday from California. "They are impregnated over and over and over again and will never know the love of being part of a family.

"It's something people certainly aren't thinking about when they go to a pet store and see an adorable little puppy looking at them from inside a display."

Franzetta praised Femino's efforts to educate North Shore pet owners.

"Local activism can make a really big difference in issues like this," Franzetta said. "A lot of people just aren't aware of the industry they're supporting."

The American Kennel Club has an inspections program and a care and conditions policy its breeder members must follow, according to Michelle Barlak, an AKC spokeswoman, who said there are ways consumers can look for responsible breeders.

"We suggest people go to the breeder's home," Barlak said yesterday during a phone interview from New York. "See how the animals are living and ask to meet the mother, who should be there. See how the dogs interact with the breeder, and make sure they're happy and well-cared-for."

Barlak said to be sure there is official AKC paperwork, and she cautioned about warning signs of bad treatment.

"If a breeder is not going to let you into their home," she said, "or asks to meet you in a public place to exchange a puppy, that is a warning sign."

Femino noted that there are also rescue organizations that specialize in nearly every breed of dog.

She cautioned that information about puppy mills on the Internet and in literature can be "very graphic and disturbing."

"The conditions are just horrific, and no animal should have to suffer that," Femino said. "You feel powerless against such a huge industry, but one person can make a difference.

"I have a soft spot in my heart for animals," she continued. "I'll do anything I can do for them."

Staff writer Amanda McGregor can be reached at amcgregor@salemnews.com.

Puppy Mill Awareness Day

Where: Salem Common

When: Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m.

Who: Animals and humans welcome

Information: Contact HelpSavePuppies@verizon.net, or call Natalie Femino at 978-745-5288. The national Awareness Day Web site is awarenessday.org.

Rain date: Sunday