Canine Related Articles
What is a Puppy Mill and Why Should You Care?
Many people have heard the term "puppy mill", yet they don't really understand what it means, other than that it has something to do with puppies.
The following article is intended to help educate the millions of responsible pet owners who may have already, or who may in the future unwittingly purchase a puppy from a mill because they believe that they are getting a dog from a "reputable" breeder.
Here you will find the plain, simple and shocking truth behind the cruel and inhumane trafficking of those innocent canines who make our human existence so much more complete by sharing their lives with us.
What is a puppy mill and why should you care whether the puppy you buy comes from one? The definition of a puppy mill is a large scale breeding operation purely for attaining the highest dollar profit possible in the shortest period of time with little to no regard for the health or welfare of those incarcerated.
When breeding usefulness is over, the mother of a puppy mill puppy you may have unknowingly purchased is usually killed or dumped in an out of way location where she will die a slow, painful and frightened death.
Even though breeders who sell puppy mill puppies may not technically be operating above the law, as they may indeed hold a breeding license, the standards of care required for obtaining such a license, as set forth by the government, is little more than providing bare minimum food, water and shelter.
Why is it cruel? Besides only providing minimal care, puppy mill breeders can own 1,000 dogs or more of many different breeds and the breeding stock can be kept in unheated, small wire cages for their entire miserable lives, oftentimes being malformed and unable to even walk. These tortured dogs can be bred over and over again, as often as possible, to ensure optimum revenue for their human captors.
Why should you care? Beside the obvious reason of not wanting to support irresponsible breeders by being part of a chain of events that promotes more of this horrific and inhumane treatment of man's best friend, oftentimes the puppy you buy will have genetic defects from the mistreated, malnourished, suffering, production-line mother, leading to disease in a puppy that may not show up until the puppy gets a little older.
What sort of defects? The list is endless, however some of the more common problems and severe health issues leading to costly veterinary service found in commercial breeding operations include internal parasites (some that can infect humans), deadly Parvo and Distemper, congenital defects, such as displaced kneecaps, hip, eye and heart defects.
As well, oftentimes puppy mill puppies develop behavioral issues or extreme fearfulness and shyness because they were removed from their mothers too early to learn any socialization skills. Many times these dogs with behavioral issues then become an additional burden for rescue groups, humane societies, municipal pounds and SPCA facilities.
What about inspectors? Yes, there are inspectors out there, however, the many thousands of "licensed" kennels far outweigh the very few inspectors.
Where are puppy mill puppies sold?
a) Classified Newspaper Ads
b) Pet Stores
c) Websites
Where NOT to purchase your next puppy:
a) Classified Newspaper Ads
b) Pet Stores
c) Websites
If you must buy...do your research and make sure that you are not contributing to the suffering of millions of adult dogs forced into a miserable life of inhumane captivity on the production line of a puppy mill because this is no life for your best friend.
(1) always insist on seeing the breeding operation beforehand, and be highly suspicious of anyone who is willing to "deliver" or won't let you see where the dogs and puppies live.
(2) Never purchase from a pet store because no responsible breeder would sell to a pet store, plus even the staff in the store may not know that they are also contributing to the continuation of puppy mill hell.
(3) Never buy a puppy from a website, without first viewing the facility yourself, as a great looking website is an easy way to disguise a torturous operation.
(4) Teach others about horror of puppy mills because knowledge is the only way to put a stop to such inhumane breeding.
Instead of shopping, consider adopting. If you're looking for a new best friend to share your life, please consider the many, many alternatives and instead of shopping, do your part to help shut down puppy mills and consider ADOPTING!
The DogAboutTown.ca website lists almost 80 different adoption, rescue and shelter services, many of which are rescues for purebreeds, so even if you have your heart set on a particular type of dog, there's one out there that needs a forever home that only you can provide.
And don't forget, at K-9 Super Heroes we don't believe there are any bad dogs, therefore, if you rescue a dog with behavioral issues you don't know how to eliminate, a little Dog Whispering session will usually be all you need to help rehabilitate your new best friend and help him or her attain balance in their new surroundings.
Finally, if you need help finding the perfect 4-legged companion,
Call the K-9 Super Heroes Dog Whispering Team today because we also provide a Matchmaking Service that may be just the help you need.
"Let the K-9 Super Heroes
Dog Whispering Team
Come to Your Rescue Today!"