What is a puppy mill? Puppy mills forcibly breed dogs for resale. Many puppy mills are licensed, but not regulated. Many operate illegally; they all maintain very sub-standard, abusive quality of care for dogs bred for pet stores and internet sales.
What About the Dogs?
Let's take one story; Snuffles. A small dog huddles in the corner of a kennel after a puppy mill rescue by Best Friends Animal Society. It's the largest space she's been in, she's terrified. Puppy mills usually limit cages to six inches on each side of the dog, cages often stacked on top of each other not allowing for sanitary conditions. Snuffles has a chronic respiratory problem; the barn where the other dogs were kept burned after owner irresponsibility, and her outside cage faced the fire. This dog's life, like countless others, has been compromised by the brutalities of the trade. Animals are traded for dollars like hotdogs on a corner stand and discarded once their breeding life and sale value is over.
Bad Kennels & Legislation
Thousands of facilities force dogs into over-active and life threatening breeding. There is slight legislation on compliance or responsibility. Dogs are not let out of over-crowded cages. They are filthy, ill-fed, poorly watered and without kind human contact. The USDA supposedly regulates puppy mills with 70 inspectors for over 10,000 facilities including their other animal related activities - unbelievably understaffed. Do the math - not good news for animals.
The news behind a puppy in the pet store or an unreliable internet sale? The story may not be a sweet trail to follow, possibly following the abuse of an animal expected to be a loving friend and family member. It's estimated that 99% of the puppies are from puppy mills.
How to Help & Find a Great Dog
Stay informed and support pet stores sponsoring "Adopt a Pet" events. Let pet stores know that you are concerned. Adoption is the best option even if you want a purebred, 20% of the dogs in a shelter are purebreds. Truth is that most dogs you might buy from a pet store already have health problems due to forced breeding. The dogs aren't at fault, the sellers and buyers are.
Various pet stores, including Petland, are developing lists of "do-not-buy" providers in an attempt to conscientiously thwart puppy mill providers.
The puppy mill moogles are ingenious. A Google search "puppies for sale" brought up more than 1.9 million entries. Don't go there, there are better and more humane ways to find the pooch that will be your best friend. Opt to adopt! There are four to five million dogs killed every year in shelters. Begin by helping them.
Think about the type of dog you want to live with. Go to local shelters. Contact breed specific rescue sites. Contact local breeders, insist on seeing where the dogs live. Go to reputable sites like Pet Finder or Best Friends and discover how many great dogs are looking for their 2nd chance at a happy life.
Adopting a Puppy Mill Rescue Dog
It may necessitate some initial training adjustments to be addressed in a future article. Snuffles, the rescue puppy mill dog mentioned lives now with adoring owners and is happy, boldly hiking across the Red Rocks of Utah. May all dogs share her well-being!
Laurel Anderson - Laurel is a highly diverse writer with an award-winning background in research and writing on natural history, global social history, ...
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