Puppy Pet Stores: The Puppy Mill Connection

This article by Metro Mutts co-owner Kelly Hartshorn, was originally published on ArticlesBase.com, where you can find more great information for passionate pet owners.

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Pet shops that sell puppies very often get their puppies from puppy mills. It is a good idea to understand this, know what it means, and make a conscious choice if you are about to make the important decision to bring a furry four-legged into your family.

Puppy mills are large-scale commercial dog breeding operations that exist for the sole purpose of making a profit at the expense of the animals' well-being and basic needs. Litter upon litter arriving every day, conditions in puppy mills or puppy farms are typically cramped, crowded, filthy, dark, and airless or over-exposed to the elements.

And it goes without saying that love, care, and affection are nowhere to be found in a puppy mill. Puppies are separated from their mothers far too early in these businesses, so that they can be taken to market as soon as possible--typically 6-8 weeks--freeing the mother up to be serviced for another litter.

According to the ASPCA, illness, disease, genetic defects, fearful behavior, and lack of socialization with humans and other animals are common among dogs from puppy mills. Because puppy mill operators often fail to remove sick dogs from the breeding pools, puppies from puppy mills are prone to congenital and hereditary conditions that may include:

    •    Epilepsy
    •    Heart Disease
    •    Kidney disease
    •    Diabetes
    •    Blood disorders
    •    Deafness
    •    Eye problems
    •    Respiratory disorders

Additionally, puppy mill puppies often arrive at pet stores with conditions that can include:

    •    Giardia
    •    Parvovirus
    •    Distemper
    •    Upper respiratory infections
    •    Kennel cough
    •    Pneumonia
    •    Mange
    •    Fleas
    •    Ticks
    •    Intestinal parasites
    •    Heartworm
    •    Chronic diarrhea


What can you do to help?

• Do not buy a puppy from a pet store or over the Internet. While it might seem like buying a puppy that very likely came from a puppy mill would be a kindness and a "rescue" of sorts, the tragic reality is that supporting the businesses that exploit these animals in this way, just keeps them in business and abusing more animals every day.
• Get involved and support groups like the ASPCA and the Humane Society, to help pass legislation to ensure that all animals bred to be pets are raised in healthy conditions.

"We still want a new dog; what can we do to be sure we are not supporting puppy mills?"

Here are some great options:

    1.    Adoption: Every day, dogs and puppies are given up, abandoned, rescued (sometimes from mills that get shut down), or otherwise find themselves without loving "parents: they can make great pets and they desperately need and want loving homes. Furthermore, most animal shelters and rescue leagues tend to injuries, illnesses, and basic dietary, immunization, spaying/neutering, dental, and skin care needs, providing a clean bill of health at the time of adoption.
    2.    Buy directly from a small and reputable breeder. If you go this route, be sure that you can see the entire facility, meet the mother dog, and feel confident that everything is above board. Ask for and get documentation of veterinary care, shots, and pedigree if applicable. Reputable breeders and other animal lovers will actually want to meet you and sometimes even conduct a home visit and/or get references, as they will be just as eager to ensure that their prize puppies are going to good homes.

Public awareness of puppy mills has increased over the last few decades, leading most small independent pet stores to focus on selling pet care products, food, toys, training supplies, as well as providing services like dog walking, pet-sitting, training, and even puppy play time--but not selling animals in their stores.

Many work cooperatively with local animal rescue leagues, shelters,  and other animal advocacy groups to sponsor adoption events at their stores. These are wonderful opportunities for anyone who truly wants to give an animal a loving and healthy home, a chance to finally "come home"--forever.