Early on in this blog, I wrote a series of posts about puppy mills. I wrote 7 parts of “Let’s Put an End to Puppy Mills” between October 2012 and April 2013. My blog didn’t get a lot of traffic back then, so probably not as many people as I would have liked read the series. So when I was asked if I’d like to support The Puppy Mill Project (TPMP) and share about their Puppy Mill Action Week and the Mothers in the Mill benefit, I was happy to do so.
Even two years after my series, puppy mills are still a huge problem. The Humane Society of the United States put out their annual report “The Horrible Hundred 2015: Puppy Mills Exposed” and this report encompasses 16 states with the worst problems. The only good news they had in there was that about two dozen puppy mills have been closed since their last report. My own state was not on the list but neighboring states of New York and Pennsylvania are, so I don’t doubt that there probably are puppy mills in my state.
If you are unclear on exactly what a puppy mill is, here is my explanation from the first part of my series:
Puppy mills are high volume commercial dog breeders, who sell either online or to pet stores. Their animals are often kept under deplorable conditions, such as:
- Unsanitary cages, so small the dogs have just enough room to move around. The dogs become dirty, matted, and often sick.
- Little to no veterinary care, meaning poor dental care leading to complications; as well as dogs with diseases such as heartworm and respiratory infections.
- Very little human interaction due to the large volume of animals kept. Puppy mills might have up to hundreds of dogs.
- Females are bred every 6 months, whenever they come into heat. This can go on for up to 5 years.
- No toys, no games, no exercise. Their sole purpose in life is to produce puppies for the financial gain of the breeder.
- When they are no longer useful for breeding, they are killed, abandoned or sold cheaply at auctions.
Some other sad facts, according to TPMP:
- 99% of all pet store puppies are from puppy mills.
- Approximately 2.5 million puppies are born in mills annually and more than 400,000 breeding stock dogs are imprisoned in these kennels.
- An estimated 3 to 4 million shelter dogs die every year.
What can you do to help? Spread the word: don’t buy a pet from a pet store, online, or at a flea market. Rescuing or adopting from a shelter are great options, but many people have good reasons for wanting a purebred dog from a breeder (two of my dogs are from breeders, and one is a rescue). If you want to buy, please find a reputable breeder that allows you to visit and see their whole property and the parents of the puppies (*clarification…both parents won’t always be on the premises, so realistically if you can at least meet the mother I think that is sufficient*), and make sure they are all cared for properly.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that a breeder claims their business is licensed by the USDA. That alone is not good enough….there are many USDA licensed facilities that have had multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act, yet are still in business. There are loopholes in the laws.
Support non-profit organizations like The Puppy Mill Project, National Mill Dog Rescue, and Best Friends Animal Society. They all work tirelessly to protect animals and help communities to ban retail sales of puppies.
The Puppy Mill Project is honoring the mother dogs left behind in puppy mills in this week leading up to Mother’s Day, through their 5th annual fundraiser The Mothers in the Mills. They hold a benefit on Mother’s Day tonight in Chicago (click here for more details). You can buy a ticket to the event if you live in the area, or you can shop for items up for auction.
To me the bottom line is that as long as consumers are buying puppies that come from puppy mills, the greed of the operators will continue. You can also pledge not to buy anything at a store that sells puppies that are not from a shelter or rescue (see my sidebar for a pledge I took). Continue to spread the word so that everyone knows. If you are interested in learning more, you can enter “puppy mills” in my search box to be taken to a list of my previous posts on the subject. You can also follow TPMP by clicking on the links below.
This is the Puppy Mill Action Week Blog Hop hosted by Dolly the Doxie and Fidose of Reality. Visit each of these blogs to learn more about puppy mills, buying pets from pet stores, licensed and respectable breeding, how you can help and more.
This is probably one of the best written posts explaining the difference between responsible breeders and puppy millers I have seen.
And 2 Brown Dawgs is right, some rescues aren’t the greatest either.
The problem I see is rescues seem to struggle differentiating between responsible and irresponsible breeding. Many of them frown down on breeders in general and naturally responsible breeders don’t want to be lumped in with the millers. What happens then is both side are fighting each other instead of fighting the cause. Sort of like our political system. We need to find a common ground to unite the two factions.
I support responsible breeders and will not shop at pet stores that sell puppies or kittens.
Thank you so much for that compliment, Jodi.
Yes, I know that is true about rescues. I know a woman who had some serious issues with a dog she adopted from one. And I think you are right as to why as well. Why is it so many things have to become political? Why can’t people see that there are two sides to every story, and that the truth is usually somewhere in the middle and not at the extreme?
I also think there are people out there who mean well, but don’t really know what they’re doing….they get in over their heads.
It was a pleasure participating in this hop with you. I will be sure to review your previous posts about the Mills.
Oh my goodness. This is such a powerful subject. I had taken a pledge to not buy anything from pet stores which sell puppies. It is just so heart breaking. And I HATE seeing those adorable little puppies in those stores because I just know where they came from and can’t help but wonder what their mothers are left to deal with at the mills. It is so horrific.
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I can’t stand them – I shutter at the thought of what might have happened to Harley if we didn’t find one another. Thank you for this post, I will share. We all must do something to help eradicate puppy mills.
I know that you experienced personally what it’s all about, Cathy, and I am also glad that you got Harley out of there.
it would be great if we can shut them all down, just senseless. Thanks for sharing this great information.
Puppies mills are the worst things possible. It is so sad.
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I can’t ever handle reading or hearing about puppy mills; my gut just churns and churns for them. BUT I do read, and I do talk about it because that’s the only way to get some action… not my remaining silent. Bravo to you for your thoughtful series!
Thank you! Honestly, I think I could have written more parts back when I wrote that series, and originally planned to, but I had to stop because it was depressing me too much. So I’m glad I can revisit the subject from time to time and still get the word out.
We want to see puppy mills end, too. What those poor animals go through is so sad. Thanks for sharing this impawtant information.
Great post thanks! My educated guess is Pennsylvania is high in puppy mills is due to the Amish population in Lancaster, PA. Did I not see your link on the hop? Let me know if there is a problem.
The only problem was my brain malfunctioning! Meaning….I forgot. Just added it, thank you for reminding me.
I agree that PA probably has high numbers because of the Amish. I can never understand how some religious people can be so cruel and thoughtless….shouldn’t they love everyone, animals too, and realize how bad the conditions are?
Puppy mills are terrible. Although some rescues are not great either. Both can have issues. I like to know where my pups come from and meet the parents to the extent they are available.
I agree, I have heard of many people having issues with rescues as well. I should have clarified and said “one or both parents on premises”. I realize both parents can’t always be there (thinking of Glory and Thunder now!). I think I will fix that.
Oh no it was not a criticism of your article. I was thinking of Storm’s dad who had been gone about 10 years by the time she was conceived. She was the product of frozen semen so we only saw a photo, but we have heard so much about him from those who knew him.
My heart goes out to the dogs in puppy mills… it’s crazy to see how many are in some of these states. Texas only has one listed, but I’m sure that’s probably not the whole story. I know of one pet shop that sells designer puppies in my area.
There is only one pet store in our area that sells puppies. I never have and never will go inside its doors. Puppy mill owners are animal abusers.
It is so sad that 99% of pets in pet stores come from puppy mills. Also, thank you for linking to “The Horrible Hundred 2015: Puppy Mills Exposed” . The annual report shares individual accounts of deplorable conditions that exist in mills, and the extent of the issues are completely unbelievable. Thank you for raising awareness to the horrors of puppy mills.
I never buy from a pet store unless the animals are rescue animals..full stop..i refuse..i have had full on arguments in pet stores and also make sure everyone i know knows what i think about backyard breeders..i cannot even call them farms..a horrid trade in misery and sorrow..great post Jan …loves Bev x
Thank you, Bev. I am so glad to hear that you stick to your principles and aren’t afraid to stand up for them! I also think the word “farm” has good connotations for the most part, and I think the word “mill” is far more effective in this case. xo