How to Shut Down Puppy Mills

What is a Puppy Mill?

Puppy mills are mass breeders that produce pups for the purposes of resale in pet stores.  In most countries they are illegal but still exist as the demand by pet stores still supports them.  Some are filthier than others with breeding dogs often stacked in small cages on top of one and other.  Even the clean ones are dispicable because the only goal is profit, not quality dogs.  The breeding dogs never attend shows to prove their worth as breeding animals, nor are they tested for genetic problems.  The goal is profit so all expenses are spared.  Pet stores do not admit to buying from mills, but no reputable breeder would sell to a store, nor would they need to. 

Why are they Bad?

As stated above they are bad because they breed for profit only, so the dogs they create, while cute, are of low overall quality.  Additionally they are bad because the parents are bred over and over and over, often recieving little human contact or social interaction.  They are breeding machines.  This is a form of cruelty, ans its one of the reasons they are illegal in most areas of the world.  However, I assure you they still exists.

Laws and Petitions

Again, we have laws against them, but Puppy Mills still flourish.  You will occassionally read of one being shut down, often with over 100 dogs on the property, usually including some dead ones.  Hundreds more exist, or open every year when people think this is a great "get rich quick" scheme.  Laws help, but ultimately the law against selling pups in pet stores is the one law needed most.
Petitions are not very effective, on-line petitions often get little attention by the law makers.  You should still sign them, it costs nothing to do so, however education is also what needs to be raised.

What we Need to do

1.  Push for laws against allowing stores to sell puppies and kittens.  People can buy from breeders or adopt from shelters. 

2.  Refuse to shop for pups at any store, always check breeders first if you want a purebred, breed rescue groups, or animal shelters if you want a loving pet.  It is not true that all animals at shelters are "messed up" any questionable dog is not put for adoption.

3.  Refuse to shop for anything at a store that sells pups.  Do not give them any of your money.   There are plently of places that sell pet food and supplies without selling pets, some shelters have stores, dog groomers often sell some supplies, livestock feed stores do to, and often for a slightly lower price.

4.  Educate family and friends why buying from pet stores is wrong.  People have the mistaken notion that they are "saving" a puppy when they buy from a pet store, in fact you are contributing to this cruel industry and rewarding them for what they are doing.  You do not "save" one puppy, you encourage them to continue.

5. Eventually If people refused to buy pups from pet shops, the stores would be forced to lower the prices of pups until eventually it becomes unprofitable for them.  At this point puppy mills would dry up, the dogs from the mills would be sold cheap or given away (no puppy mill is going to pay for euthanasia).

6.  Write your congressman and ask them to support a law to stop pet stores from being allowed to sell pups and kittens. 

But what if I Really want a Puppy?

If you really want a puppy you can buy from a breeder, or private seller.  If you go to the property and it looks filthy, DO NOT buy from them walk away, report them to your local Animal Control office, and look else where, there are more at certain times of the year.  Certainly look for a rescue group, SPCA, or animal shelter.  If you do not know where to look contact a veterinarian, dog groomer, or local dog club. 

Remember pet stores pay CHEAP for the pups then resell HIGH, the pup you would buy from a pet store is probably only worth 1/4 of its' price. 

Other Critters?

It should be noted here that 90% of the animals, birds, rabbits, etc., in pet stores come from some mass breeding situation.  If you can find an alternate source to purchase any animal, you should.  Many animal shelters also adopt out small animals. 

This is a black lab pup, most puppy mills breed small dogs, but not always, he is not from a mill.  Photo from Wikimedia.