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I would like warn other readers about dangers to be aware of when getting their next dog. Many people spend hundreds of dollars to buy a healthy-looking puppy, only to find out soon after that he is seriously ill and requires costly veterinary care to save his life. With some basic steps, families can protect themselves, their wallets, and the puppies all at the same time.
Puppy mills are breeding facilities that produce purebred puppies in large numbers and sell them to unsuspecting consumers. They are inhumane, designed to maximize profits, and commonly disregard the physical, social, and emotional health of the dogs in their facilities. Because of these conditions, puppy-mill puppies are more likely to have physical and behavioral problems than dogs from good sources.
Puppy mills lurk behind the beautiful Web sites, ads in the local newspaper, even behind the doors of a nearby pet store. The best way to stop puppy mills from continuing their abuse is for consumers to stop buying the puppies they breed. Many people think they are “rescuing” a puppy by buying one. Don’t be fooled, you’re just creating space for another puppy to be sold. Never buy a dog unless you can see for yourself where he or she was born, how the parents are kept, and what condition all the dogs are in.
If you have your heart set on purchasing a purebred dog, it should be from a reputable breeder. A printable checklist of good breeder characteristics is available on the web site, www.StopPuppyMills.com, and more information about finding your next pet can be found on The Humane Society of the United States’ web site, www.hsus.org
By far, the best place to get your next pet is the local animal shelter. Many people are surprised to learn that nationwide, one out of every four dogs in shelters are purebred. Most of these shelter animals have already been spayed or neutered, and have received all their vaccinations and veterinary checkups. Shelters also screen animals for adoption so that they can make a great match between animals and their new families. Purebred rescue groups are another excellent resource for finding a dog and you can find links at www.petfinder.org and www.pets911.com.
People who love dogs need to help stop them from being mistreated by making sure they aren’t supporting a puppy mill.
JILL FEDLER
Delta
One Response to “Help stop puppy mills”
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 1:30 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Thanks Jill, very well said. I would like to add that, even if puppies are bred and raised humanely in a home environment it doesn’t mean that most people breeding dogs have any business doing so. That goes double for “designer” breeds (aka mutts).
While I am not against the tiny minority of breeders who are incredibly dedicated to improving their chosen breed and producing true show and working quality dogs, that is not likely the case with ANY of the dogs you see for sale in the local classifieds.
How anyone can throw their “girl” dog together with the “boy” dog down the street just to make a few bucks, creating so many new sub-par dogs in the process, when they MUST know there are so many poor unwanted dogs of every breed rotting in shelters and being put to sleep every day, is beyond me. Don’t these people have a heart?!
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