There are few things more distressing to a dog owner than the thought of puppy mills and farms that treat dogs like a piece of expendable property. It’s something we don’t like to think about, but we must, so we can take steps to try and stop these people breeding dogs.
Have you been to your local pet store lately? That cute little doggy behind the glass may have come from a puppy farm, where they produce pups in large numbers for sale in pet shops, without any regard for their wellbeing. When the dog is purchased, it puts money in the pocket of the pet shop, and also the breeder who supplies them. It is a deplorable situation that needs to be stopped, and it’s important that people are educated about it.
Adult female dogs are kept at the puppy farm solely for breeding purposes. They may be kept in small cages, and they may not receive the basic preventative health care that all dogs are entitled to. They may not be washed or groomed, and their cages may not be cleaned very often. These dogs may never enjoy a run in the grass on a sunny day.
Many puppy farms operate out of a barn or large building that can house many different breeds. The income potential for this type of operation is quite large. Because they farm so many puppies, and don’t take too much care with their adult dogs, their profit margin is high.
There is legislation in place that regulates dog breeders in many parts of the United States, but these puppy farms are often run as an underground business to avoid being discovered.
Outsiders are not allowed to see the areas where the animals are being housed. If the farm does allow visitors to see the puppies on site, they will be brought out to a separate area which has been kept clean and tidy. The breeding facility will look nice and respectable from the outside.
If you ever suspect that you are visiting a puppy mill, you can ask the breeder if you can meet the puppy’s parents, and see where the puppies are kept. An ethical breeder won’t have any problem with doing this. If they say no, then you need to wonder what they may have to hide, and reconsider your decision to buy a pup from them. You do not want to support the unethical treatment of any animal in this way.
Is there anything you can do? You bet there is! Educate yourself about your local laws, and add your support to any groups that are working towards shutting down these puppy mills. You may think that you’re just one person and you can’t do much, but if you get together with lots of other people, you can have a big impact on the lives of these poor dogs.
This guest post is brought to you by Dog Fence DIY’s staff veterinarian Dr. Susan Wright. Dog Fence DIY will help you choose the right system for you, help you install it, and help train your pet to use the new system. Dog Fence DIY has a variety of electric fence for dogs at the best available prices.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Great Public Service Announcement! The word needs to be spread. We’ve always purchased from private owners, and therefore we meet the parents of the pup we’re buying. These dogs coming from mills are not treated properly with preventative medical measures and I would imagine can cause weakening of family lines. It’s a sad statement that this whole situation even needs to be addressed. Dogs rely on us to protect and care for them.
It’s hard to believe that we’re in the 21st Century and puppy mills are still a part of the landscape. There should be more severe penalties for these crooks.