Karen and I sat down for the second half of our conversation about her business Talk Dog To Me, and the tone shifted. Part 1 discussed Karen’s desire to create her business and brand that brings the heart, the healing, and the movement of Talk Dog To Me. Part 2 is about the fight. The part of Karen’s work which requires courage, persistence, and a willingness to stand up even when progress feels slow.
Karen began advocating for dogs long before Talk Dog To Me existed. She’s spent years volunteering with organizations like Humane World for Animals, Stop Online Puppy Mills, and the Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance. “All wildlife needs our protection in this state,” she told me. “Compassion for all animals.” That compassion is the thread running through everything she does.
In May 2025, she traveled to Madison to meet with three representatives at the Capitol. She carried with her a bill she wrote herself; a bill to end puppy mills in Wisconsin. “As of today, I haven’t heard back,” she said, her voice steady but honest. “Unfortunately, most animal bills fall short in this state. But I won’t give up.”
Listening to her, I could feel the weight of that determination. She isn’t discouraged. She’s motivated. “I’ll continue to be a driving force to end this abuse,” she said. “We have to keep going.”
Karen explained that Talk Dog To Me actively advocates against puppy mills and backyard breeders. She has met people across the state of Wisconsin who have never heard of puppy mills, or people who still can’t believe they exist. She talks to them gently, but directly, helping them understand what these dogs endure.
She told me about the dogs she cared for years ago, dogs rescued from auctions. Some didn’t know how to walk on grass. Some didn’t understand they could go to the bathroom outside. Some were too afraid to leave the porch. “Wonderful people still adopted them,” she said. “They gave them loving homes and made sure no one ever hurt them again.” Those dogs changed her. They’re the reason she advocates so fiercely today.
When I asked Karen what changes are most urgently needed, she didn’t hesitate. She talked about gaps in federal, state and local laws, and the loopholes that leave animals unprotected.
She explained how the federal Animal Welfare Act doesn’t cover birds, rats, or mice, even though they make up most animals used in labs. She talked about the need for stronger penalties for severe abuse, better enforcement, and clearer definitions of cruelty. She talked about domestic violence cases where pets aren’t always included in protection orders. And she talked about Wisconsin being a state where commercial breeding facilities can operate legally while still meeting only minimum standards. “We need representatives who care about domestic animal rights,” she said. “We need lawmakers who want to get bills passed.” Her voice didn’t waver. She believes change is possible. She believes Wisconsin can become a model for other states. And she believes everyday people can help make that happen.
Karen’s advocacy doesn’t stop at legislation. She spends countless hours educating the public, both in person and online. She encourages people to adopt instead of buying. She urges them to speak up if they witness abuse. She teaches them how to contact their representatives and get involved.
She works to correct common misconceptions; the ones that make it harder for people to recognize unethical breeding practices. She explained that puppy mills aren’t always dirty. Some look clean on the surface while still denying dogs basic care, socialization, and humane treatment. She talked about backyard breeders who may love their dogs but still fail to follow responsible breeding practices. She talked about how shelters often have purebred dogs, and how rescue dogs are not “broken,” just misunderstood. Karen’s goal is simple: help people understand the truth so they can make compassionate choices.
Karen’s work extends far beyond her brand. She participates in community events, protests, wildlife advocacy days, and educational campaigns. She shares resources through her Talk Dog To Me Facebook page and encourages people to learn, volunteer, foster, and donate.
She dreams of building a task force where a group of people committed to fighting for domestic animal rights. “We need to make bills and laws much stronger than they are,” she said. “We need more people involved.” And she’s right. Change doesn’t happen alone. It happens when communities come together.
As our conversation came to a close, Karen shared her vision for the future and a movement built on hope. She is working to get Talk Dog To Me apparel into more stores throughout the state so more conversations may start. She hopes Wisconsin will lead the way in ending puppy mills nationwide.
But more than anything, she hopes people will understand the full impact of her mission and see that ending puppy mills isn’t just about laws or protests. It’s about compassion. It’s about giving dogs like Sophie a chance to live without fear. It’s about making sure no animal suffers for someone else’s profit. “We will get this done,” she said. “We have to, for Dog’s Sake.”
As I listened to her, I felt the same gratitude I felt at the end of Part 1. Karen’s work is hard, emotional, and often uphill; but she shows up anyway. She shows up for dogs who can’t speak for themselves. She shows up for the people who love them. She shows up for a future where cruelty isn’t tolerated.
I’m proud to share the second half of her story. There is so much more information on her website Talk Dog To Me. Please visit the About Us page and scroll down to the Action Plan for ways everyone can get involved to bring about changes About Us – Talk Dog To Me I’m proud to stand beside her in this movement.
