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The Minnesota Humane Society (MHS)
along with several other animal organizations is
campaigning to prevent this puppy mill from being
established. Unfortunately, our efforts to date
have been largely unsuccessful. But we are not
deterred. For the sake of these animals, we plan to
campaign on their behalf until we succeed in ending
the misery of puppy mills.
What
can I do about this?
First and foremost, never purchase a
puppy or kitten from a pet shop.
Remember, every puppy purchased
from a pet shop provides space for
another puppy mill puppy. Why not
save a life and get your animal from
a pound or shelter. It’s estimated
that 25% of shelter animals are
purebreds. You can learn a great
deal
about these animals —especially from
a no-kill shelter. Getting your
animal from a pound or shelter not only saves a
life; it also helps reduce the misery of
the unfortunate puppy mill dogs. When
people stop purchasing from pet shops, the puppy
mill industry will no longer be profitable. |
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Are there good breeders?
Yes, good breeders do exist. If you
must purchase from a breeder here are a few tips to
help you determine a good one.
• Animals live in a clean,
well-maintained area in the house.
• Breeds only one or two types of
dogs and is knowledgeable about the breed standards.
• Puppy appears happy and healthy and
doesn’t shy away from visitors.
• Breeder encourages you to spend
time with the puppy’s mother.
• Provides references from others who have purchased
puppies.
• Feeds high quality food.
• Encourages multiple visits from
entire family interested in puppy.
• Doesn’t always have puppies
available so will keep your name on a list
• Requires you to answer such
questions as to why you want a dog, who will care
for the dog, how much room the dog will have, etc.
• Requires you to sign a contract
agreeing
to spay/neuter your dog, and return
your dog if, for some reason, you can no longer care
for it—no matter how old the dog.
In summary, a good breeder will never
sell a puppy unless interaction occurs with
potential buyers to determine that the puppy and
family are a good lifelong match.
A word about cats
While not as great in number as puppy
mills, unfortunately kitty mills do exist. The cats
and kittens live under similar conditions as those
described for the dogs and puppies. Once again they
are raised, transported, and sold to pet shops. The
kittens are normally purebreds and often suffer from
the same health problems as the puppy mill puppies.
There are many smaller catteries, which usually
raise one or two different purebreds. If you choose
to go to a breeder, it is critical to identify a
good breeder using the tips previously mentioned.
The dogs pictured are from actual puppy mills in
Minnesota, courtesy of the
Companion Animal Protection Society
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